All Bengal PHE Contractors’ Association Raises Concern Over Non-Payment Crisis in Jal Jeevan Mission Projects

The All Bengal P.H.E. Contractors’ Association (Civil), representing contractors who have been serving the Public Health and Technical Department of West Bengal for over three to four decades, has expressed deep concern over the prolonged issue of pending payments under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
The Jal Jeevan Mission or Har Ghar Jal Project, launched by the Government of India in 2019 with an estimated outlay of ₹2,08,652 crore, had set a target of providing drinking water connections to all households by 2024. West Bengal was sanctioned a project worth ₹56,000 crore with equal sharing of expenditure between the Centre and the State. While substantial work has been executed—covering nearly 1 crore households out of 1.73 crore in the state—contractors are still awaiting payments of approximately ₹5,000 crore, with another ₹2,500 crore in bills pending submission.
Despite repeated extensions of the project timeline, the disbursal of funds to West Bengal has faced serious interruptions. Out of the stipulated ₹28,000 crore, only ₹13,313.54 crore has been released by the Centre till August 2024. The State Government, in its 2025–26 budget, announced an allocation of ₹11,636 crore to maintain continuity, but contractors continue to face acute financial distress.
Manash Chatterjee, Jn. Secretary, A.B.P.H.E.C.A.(CIVIL), said, “Our association undertook this large-scale work in good faith and with full commitment to the government’s mission, even pledging their personal assets and resources to ensure uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water to rural Bengal. However, with payments withheld for months, contractors are unable to meet financial obligations towards workers, creditors, and banks. This has led to widespread anxiety among lakhs of family’s dependent on this sector.”
Tapas Ghosh, Chief Whip, Howrah P.H.E. Contractor Association, mentioned, “The Association has repeatedly raised the matter with administrative authorities and sought intervention at various levels, yet no effective mechanism has been implemented to resolve the crisis. With Durga Puja—the biggest festival of Bengal—approaching, many contractors, workers, and their families fear spending the festive season under severe financial stress and uncertainty.”
Sanjay Biswas General Secretary, Murshidabad District Contractors’ (Builders’) Association, said, “We appeal to both the Centre and the State Government to urgently address the payment backlog and ensure timely disbursal of funds. The contractors reaffirm their commitment to the Jal Jeevan Mission and request immediate administrative action to safeguard the livelihood of lakhs of families and prevent any potential unrest.”