SHILLONG:
Public Health Engineering (PHE) department, on June 6, said that it’s too early for the Opposition to jump the gun on the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state.
“It is true we have completed only 40 per cent of the work. So, exactly 60 per cent of the work is remaining. But we should not jump (into conclusion) and say the government could not quench the thirst of 60 per cent of the people because the works are ongoing and we are determined to provide water to each and every household,” said Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, minister in-charge of the department.
According to the minister, 5.32 lakh households have been sanctioned and the works have already started which include process of tendering and allotment. “It will be a big achievement. Of course, we want to complete the project, but it’s too early to say that the scheme has failed in the state. Though we are yet to review the target, we still hope that by December, maximum coverage will be achieved,” he said.
Tongkhar’s statement came as a reaction to Opposition All India Trinamool Congress’ (AITC) allegation that the multi-pronged implementation of reaching 100 per cent success in JJM by 2022, is procrastinated. Earlier on June 3, the AITC, in a statement, had rapped the government alleging that, at a time when the state celebrates five years of double-engine victory, the state infrastructure cannot quench the thirst of 60 per cent of the residents under the mission.
The PHE minister, elaborating on the difficulties that the department is facing to reach the designated number of households, said that logistical problems are coming in the way of work. “Because we don’t get gravity source… we have to pump, and pumping water supply schemes always face problem – sometimes, due to electricity, failure of the pump or manpower as they have to go to operate the pump,” he said.
Under the JJM, Tongkhar informed that the government’s plan of implementation of the scheme in the state also includes active participation of the people and communities for its maintenance. “So, we hope, JJM will do better in Meghalaya,” the minister said.