Srinagar, Oct. 2 -- The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, presented in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, has reported a 6% to 93% shortfall in achieving targets for providing Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) under the state action plans. The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched on August 15, 2019, aims to provide FHTCs to every rural household. The deadline, initially set for December 2024, was extended to 2028. Earlier, the 13-member house committee of the assembly, in a report tabled last Monday, found gross 'negligence and irregularities' in the implementation of the JJM by the Jal Shakti department. It found that 63% of the total 3,253 water supply and retrofitting schemes (WSS), involving an expenditure of Rs.7,000 crore, were non-operational. The committee recommended several corrective measures, including the constitution of a high-level committee to audit all WSS and fix responsibility on engineers and officers. The CAG's performance audit, covering 2019-20 to 2023-24, found that the institutional mechanism for successful implementation of the programme was not fully operational or effective. As of March 31, 2024, 14,43,515 households or 77.15%, were reported to have been provided with FHTCs. However, only 44% of schemes - 1,440 of 3,253 - taken up during 2019-20 to 2023-24 had been completed by December 2024. "Despite sizeable allocations of funds, persistent underutilisation of funds during the initial years was observed. Accumulation of idle balances, delayed execution of schemes and delayed access to potable water to rural households were also seen. Due to delay in utilisation of funds and inability to meet release conditions, the government of Jammu and Kashmir could not receive the full allocation of central assistance," the CAG report said. The release of funds for Support Activities ranged from 0.17% to 3.30%, falling short of the prescribed ceiling of 5%. While under WQM&S activities, it ranged from .08% to 1.07%, against the prescribed 2%. Out of 853 schemes taken up in the sampled four districts of Kulgam, Anantnag, Kishtwar and Doda, only 429 schemes had been physically completed by November 2024. "However, no plan was prepared by the department for the upkeep of assets created under these schemes, nor was any mechanism instituted to ensure availability of trained manpower at the village level, as required under the guidelines," the report said. The CAG said the absence of a planned framework for maintenance and local capacity building put the sustainability of the completed schemes at risk. The CAG has recommended time-bound completion of all the schemes, a framework for allotment of works and procurement of material, and strengthening of the water-quality monitoring system....