Shillong:
Quality of galvanised iron (GI) and high-density polyethene (HDPE) pipes dominated the deliberations on implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Meghalaya on the second day of the ongoing budget session in the Assembly, on March 7.
Minister-in-charge Public Health Engineering (PHE) Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, responding to a query by All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) legislator Zenith M Sangma, said that the Ministry of Jal Shakti has allowed the use of both GI pipes and HDPE pipes for the distribution of water in the entire country. He was speaking during the debate on the governor’s address.
Asserting the need for ensuring uniformity in the use of pipes for implementation of the JJM in the state, Zenith pointed out that the HDPE pipes are substandard and they are costing only Rs 17 while GI pipes come at Rs 200.
To which, Tongkhar said that the HDPE pipes have a long life of 50 years compared to GI pipes which have a 15-year lifespan. The minister in charge further added that the use of GI pipes and HDPE pipes vary from situation to situation and project to project.
Expressing optimism that the state will be able to complete the implementation of JJM within the stipulated time, Tongkhar told the House, “Almost all the works are in progress and we hope to complete the mission in time.”
The minister further informed that he has no information when the Rangsakona legislator alleged that 6-7 per cent has to be paid to the third party for clearing the bills of contractors. According to Tongkhar, the bills are being paid after certification on the quality of work done by the contractors.
Earlier, the minister had informed that over 531 villages in North Garo Hills are proposed to be covered under the JJM and that the overall progress is 28.43 per cent.
The minister, however, said that awarding of works under JJM is being done as per the recommendation of the village water sanitation committee (VWSC).
Expressing concern that laying pipes overground would only make them vulnerable to thefts, AITC legislator Marthon Sangma said that there are complaints that a single contractor was given over 6-7 projects due to which he could not complete the work on time. He also urged the government to look into the allegation of contractors selling the work orders to others.