Meghalaya and other states should complete the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) before March 2024.
The JJM is a central government scheme to provide piped water supply to every home in the country.
“The implementation of the JJM at the national level is below 50 percent and we are suggesting that all states complete it before March 2024,” Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu told reporters here today after a meeting to review the implementation of JJM and other programmes.
In Meghalaya, too, JJM implementation is under 50 percent, though Tudu did admit that the state’s hilly terrain, communication and transport issues are proving to be extra hurdles.
Instead of one tender being issued for one project, there is often a need for two or three.
“I have suggested to them (Meghalaya government) to follow the procedures and, if possible, we will relax some guidelines so that the work can carry on,” Tudu said.
Allegations of corruption have also clouded the JJM projects in Meghalaya, such as the suspicion of a scam in the supply of pipes in Ri-Bhoi. However, Tudu said he has not received documentary proof but will visit project sites to get to the truth.
Meanwhile, there was some embarrassment for the Meghalaya officials after Tudu abruptly left the meeting as the state representatives were not ready with the papers relevant to the meeting. He said this type of review has not been done previously and the state government officials were not prepared.
“They were showing me only the presentation but the papers were not ready, so I suggested they get the papers and we will have the review meeting,” he said. “I am not happy because without any papers how will we review? I have to give a report to the concerned department, so the hard copy is essential.”
The meeting did, however, eventually resume.
