Patna: The Bihar Assembly witnessed an unusual political storm on the third day of the Budget Session as the state’s Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister Sanjay Kumar Singh found himself cornered—not by the opposition, but by legislators from his own political camp.
The debate erupted during the Question Hour when LJP (Ram Vilas) MLA Murari Gautam openly challenged the minister’s response regarding the implementation of the Nal-Jal (tap water) scheme, accusing officials of misleading the government and presenting false reports.
Murari Gautam Claims Nal-Jal Scheme “Incomplete and Non-Functional”
Raising serious concerns in the House, MLA Murari Gautam alleged that the Nal-Jal scheme remains disrupted across several parts of Rohtas district, contradicting the government’s claims of smooth drinking water supply.
He stated that the department had provided “incorrect and misleading” information in official replies and asserted that the ground reality is far different.
However, PHED Minister Sanjay Kumar Singh defended the department, claiming there was no drinking water crisis in the region. He further said that issues related to fluoride contamination had already been resolved and adequate drinking water arrangements were in place in all wards mentioned by the MLA.
MLA Displays Photographs, Exposes Ground Reality
The situation escalated when Murari Gautam presented photographs inside the Assembly, claiming they revealed the failure of the Nal-Jal system and exposed the reality of dry taps and broken infrastructure.
His move left the minister under pressure, as the MLA insisted that the official response did not reflect the real situation on the ground.
Assembly Speaker Steps In to Control Situation
With the argument intensifying, Bihar Assembly Speaker Dr Prem Kumar intervened to restore order.
He assured the MLA that his concerns had been recorded officially and instructed the minister to re-examine the matter.
The Speaker directed the PHED department to conduct a fresh review and consider the points raised by the legislator.
Teghra MLA Rajnish Kumar Also Targets Minister
The pressure on the PHED minister increased further when Teghra MLA Rajnish Kumar also accused the department of providing incomplete and misleading details.
He claimed that his constituency has 280 Nal-Jal schemes, most of which have become non-functional due to:
- Lack of maintenance
- Non-payment of honorarium to operators
- Pending electricity bills
He questioned the government directly, asking whether the operators are paid monthly or through lump-sum payments.
Minister’s Reply Sparks More Discontent
Responding to the allegations, Minister Sanjay Kumar Singh said that out of the 280 schemes, 246 pumps are being operated by PHED, while the remaining fall under the Panchayati Raj Department.
But the reply failed to satisfy Rajnish Kumar, who countered that only 34 schemes belong to the Panchayati Raj Department, and the minister’s statement was inconsistent with ground reports.
He alleged that the department’s response remained silent on several crucial points and was misleading.
‘People Are Struggling for Every Drop of Water’
Taking a sharp dig at the government, Rajnish Kumar said that the Jal Jeevan Mission, considered Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s dream project, is collapsing in many areas due to mismanagement.
He stated that more than half of the people in his constituency are facing severe water shortage because of unpaid electricity bills and non-payment of operator salaries.
“The government’s reply is far from reality. People are struggling for every drop of water,” he remarked.
Political Embarrassment for Government
The incident has become a major embarrassment for the ruling alliance, as the minister faced direct questioning and criticism from within allied parties.
The debate has also highlighted growing dissatisfaction over the implementation of one of Bihar’s flagship welfare schemes, raising questions about accountability, transparency, and the actual condition of drinking water supply projects at the grassroots level.
As the session continues, the controversy over Nal-Jal scheme performance is expected to remain a key issue inside the House.
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