Chennai: State municipal administration minister K N Nehru on Thursday blamed the BJP-led Union govt for the delay in implementing combined drinking water schemes in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri.He told the assembly that the Union govt has not released its share of 5,500 crore for 18 projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission, in addition to 3,200 crore in pending dues. Nehru said this approach had forced the funding agency to withhold support for the Pennagaram drinking water scheme.Responding to PMK floor leader G K Mani’s query on the status of the scheme, Nehru said chief minister M K Stalin allocated 5,500 crore to cover the Union govt’s share. But the funds could not be utilised as the Union govt put the Jal Jeevan scheme on hold to review its implementation nationwide, he said.Although special officers deputed by the Union govt inspected Tamil Nadu and certified that the drinking water schemes were being implemented effectively, approval from the Union govt was still pending, he said.
