Assam: Jal Jeevan Mission under fire as Congress holds massive rally in Merapani

Opposition Congress workers on Saturday, December 20 staged a street protest in Assam’s Golaghat district, alleging large-scale failure and corruption in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission and holding the ruling government responsible for the situation. The protest, held in Merapani, saw hundreds of Congress supporters marching through the town, raising the slogan “Pipes are there, but no water,” to highlight what they described as the ground reality of the flagship drinking water scheme.

The protesters alleged that despite the completion of several Jal Jeevan Mission projects across the state, residents in many areas continue to face acute shortages of safe drinking water. Accusing the government of rampant corruption under the guise of the mission, Congress workers claimed that public funds had been misused while people were still deprived of basic amenities.

Strongly criticising the state government, the demonstrators said the failure of the scheme had forced citizens to struggle for even a single drop of potable water. They demanded accountability and corrective measures to ensure the effective delivery of drinking water to households.

The protest rally was organised by the Gomariguri Block Congress Committee. Senior party leaders, including Assam Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Bitopan Saikia and Golaghat District Congress President Madan Bora, were present and addressed the gathering, reiterating the party’s demand for transparency and proper implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission.