Patna: A sharp exchange in the Bihar legislative assembly during the budget session exposed deep divisions within the ruling alliance, as MLAs from both the government and the opposition accused officials of widespread irregularities in the state’s flagship tap water scheme.
The controversy was triggered when Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MLA Murari Prasad Gautam questioned his own government, alleging that work under the scheme had not even begun in several villages in his constituency. Speaking in the House, Gautam said drinking water supply had completely collapsed in many hilly and remote areas, contradicting official claims that water was being provided to all households.
“The government says water is reaching everywhere, but the reality on the ground is very different,” Gautam said, claiming that motors installed under the scheme were not operational. He told the assembly that he possessed photographs showing non-functional motors and the absence of any effective water supply system. “If the motors are not working, how will water reach the people?” he asked.
Responding to the allegations, the water resources minister defended the scheme, saying officials had inspected all installations in Telkap Panchayat of Rohtas block and found no problems. He assured the House that drinking water was being supplied and that there was currently no shortage.
Gautam rejected the minister’s statement, reiterating that his evidence proved otherwise and warning that villagers in hilly areas were facing severe hardship due to water scarcity. The Speaker intervened, asking the MLA to present any photographs or documentary evidence to the House. The minister said any such evidence should clearly establish whether water supply was functional.
The debate intensified when another MLA alleged that corruption and administrative irregularities among officials were obstructing proper implementation of the scheme, and called for a thorough inquiry. Opposition legislators then joined in, rising from their seats and disrupting proceedings as they questioned the government’s claims, forcing the Speaker to repeatedly appeal for order.
Concerns were also raised by BJP MLA Rajneesh Kumar from Teghra, who said that more than half of the 280 tap water connections in his constituency were non-functional. He accused the government of giving misleading replies to the assembly and claimed that unpaid electricity bills and delayed salaries of operators had rendered many connections useless, despite the project being promoted as a flagship initiative of chief minister Nitish Kumar.
The minister later said some of the disputed connections fell under the Panchayati Raj department and assured the House that the problems would be resolved soon.
