Fri Dec 27 18:57:50 UTC 2024: ## Kerala Contractors to Protest Alleged Misuse of Jal Jeevan Mission Funds
**KOCHI, December 28, 2024** – The Kerala Government Contractors’ Association (KGCA) will hold a protest march and sit-in on January 6th, accusing the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) of misappropriating central funds allocated for the Jal Jeevan Mission. The KGCA alleges that the KWA violated a High Court order and priority norms by attempting to distribute a ₹288-crore interest-free loan meant for the scheme to favored entities.
KGCA president Varghese Kannampilly stated that the KWA’s actions jeopardize the release of an additional ₹638 crore from the Centre, crucial for paying contractors owed ₹4,000 crore under the scheme. The scheme’s March 31st deadline, coupled with Kerala’s 31st-place ranking in its implementation, necessitates a three-year extension and an additional ₹12,750 crore in funding from both the central and state governments, Kannampilly added. He further highlighted the negative impact of the fund mismanagement on the maintenance and repair of PWD roads, buildings, and KWA assets. The protest will proceed from Jala Bhavan to Raj Bhavan and the State Secretariat.
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