ED raids 6 places in Rajasthan in Jal Jeevan Mission scam

The ED has been investigating corruption allegations against former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, particularly related to corruption in the 'Har Ghar Jal' scheme.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is carrying out searches at more than six locations in Rajasthan as part of its money laundering probe related to the implementation of the Centre's 'Jal Jeevan Mission', according to sources.

Currently, just 45 percent of households in Rajasthan have tap water access, a significantly lower figure compared to the national average of almost 72 percent since the initiation of the 'Har Ghar Jal' scheme on August 15, 2019, as per the most recent data from the Jal Shakti Ministry.

The ED has been investigating corruption allegations against former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, particularly related to corruption in the 'Har Ghar Jal' scheme. The former Congress government allegedly used poor-quality water pipes in implementing the scheme. Last November, the ED raided 25 locations in the state a few days ahead of the Assembly elections following allegations of a Rs 20,000-crore scam in the JJM scheme raised by BJP MP Kirori Lal Meena.

The scheme has not achieved full coverage in any of the districts in Rajasthan. Out of the 42,000 villages in the state, only 4,600 have reported complete saturation. Banswara, in particular, has the lowest performance among the districts, with a connection rate of merely 14 percent.

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