<h1>Centre penalises states Rs 129.27 crore for Jal Jeevan Mission irregularities, links future funds to corrective action</h1> The central government has imposed penalties totaling Rs 129.27 crore on seven states for financial, procedural, and quality-related irregularities in implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission, with the largest recovery proceedings of Rs 120.65 crore initiated against Gujarat. So far, Rs 12.95 crore has been recovered. Acting on the prime minister's directive for strict oversight and zero tolerance, the Centre has linked future fund releases for the scheme's extension beyond 2024 to demonstrable corrective action on irregularities. Across 20 states, administrative and criminal actions include proceedings against officials, contractors, and third-party inspection agencies, with nine FIRs registered and multiple arrests, including a former minister.