A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the High Court of Manipur alleging serious irregularities in the execution of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the New Development Bank (NDB)-supported rural water supply projects in Senapati district.
The petition calls for an independent investigation and financial audit into the projects, which have been officially reported as nearing full coverage.
The PIL has been filed by R.K. Paul, a resident of Oklong Maryram and described as a social worker. He contends that despite ongoing claims of “near 100% household tap coverage,” many rural and tribal villages continue to lack basic access to safe drinking water.
The petition states that documents obtained through RTI applications, community-level inspections, testimonies, media reports, and photographic evidence indicate discrepancies between official records and work on the ground.
Villages such as Oklong Maryram, Rajaimai, Makuilongdi, and Oklong (NDB Project) are cited in the filing, which alleges non-functional reservoirs, absence of GI pipelines, incomplete household tap connections, and the use of inferior materials.
The petition further asserts that these discrepancies constitute administrative failure and cause violation of constitutional rights, particularly the right to life under Article 21.
Seeking judicial intervention, the PIL asks the Court to order a CBI or court-monitored SIT inquiry, a forensic audit by a central agency such as the CVC, public disclosure of project documents, time-bound rectification of incomplete works, and accountability measures where required.
It also requests the appointment of a monitoring committee or local commissioner to conduct field verifications.
The High Court has registered the matter, and it is expected to be listed shortly before the appropriate Bench.
