Shillong, Dec 17: Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise Marak today said that the central government is likely to release pending Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) funds by January.
Speaking to reporters, Marak said the Centre has not yet released the funds as some states are facing problems in implementing the JJM. He informed that a meeting of chief engineers from all states was held in New Delhi on Monday, where the issue was discussed.
“The chief engineer briefed me that the government of India will release the funds very soon, most probably in January. Some states have been asked to rectify issues in their JJM projects before the release,” Marak said.
JJM contractors in Meghalaya have been up in arms recently over the non-payment of Rs 700 crore in dues.
Marak stated that JJM work in Meghalaya is progressing well and remains transparent. “We have completed over 83 percent of the work in the state. There are minor discrepancies, which are being rectified,” the minister said, adding that the major issues are in other states, not Meghalaya.
Marak also said that bills worth over Rs 700 crore in Meghalaya are ready for payment; all that remains is actually receiving the funds from New Delhi. “These bills have been uploaded online through the MIS, have completed third-party inspection and are ready for payment once funds are released,” he said.
Referring to discrepancies within the state, the minister said action is pending against a few contractors in one or two projects. He added that concerned officers have been directed to take necessary action, failing which they themselves will be held accountable.
