PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak today informed that Centralized Public Grievances Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) has found no malpractice in the execution of the Nekikona Combined Water Supply Scheme.
A complaint was filed last year with the Meghalaya Lokayukta alleging irregularities in the project. However Marak, while replying to a query by opposition MLA Dr. Mizanur Kazi during the ongoing Budget Session, said the complaint was forwarded to the CPGRAMS.
Kazi pointed out that while the minister’s response claimed 87 per cent project completion, the situation on the ground was different. “As per the reply, the project is at 87per cent, but in reality, all 26 villages’ still lack main pipelines and tap connections.”
Marak stated that as per the inquiry report there is a disparity between the figures uploaded on the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) dashboard and the actual situation on the ground, attributing this to the large volume of data to be processed and field complexities. The report recommended that the executive engineer bridge communication gaps to ensure accurate reporting and urged the contractor to expedite work.
The minister also said while the distribution network was still pending, all other major components of the project were completed.
He informed that the construction of the RCC structure, simplified treatment plant, and overhead zonal reservoir and laying of MS gravity main pipeline and GI feeder main pipeline were completed but 60 per cent of the work related to laying of GI distribution main pipeline remains. Distribution up to functional household tap connections (FHTC) for all 25 villages is pending with 48 per cent completion, he added.
Marak assured that it “won’t take much time” and that the remaining work would be finished within the next two to three months.
Raising further concerns, Kazi questioned how despite the absence of tap connections on the ground, the web portal reflected completed water testing and household connections. He also sought clarification on how third-party agency North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi) granted clearance, leading to 95 per cent of the sanctioned amount being released.
Marak reiterated that some misreporting occurred in the Management Information System (MIS) but was corrected later. He also assured that no payments were made for work not done.
The upgraded water supply project is expected to provide functional household tap connections to 7,178 households.
