Meghalaya has only provided water connections to 40 percent of households under the central Jal Jeevan Mission, which puts its target of 100 percent coverage by the end of the year at risk, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has said.
“As people in power go fishing for accolades (perhaps referring to the Chief Minister’s trip to Geneva to pick up an award), Meghalaya still yearns for clean drinking water!” the TMC Meghalaya tweeted.
The hollow promises of covering Meghalaya by 2022 under the Jal Jeevan Mission are exposed
As Meghalaya is blessed with above average levels of rainfall and has abundant natural water resources, the TMC questioned the “procrastination” in implementing the JJM despite the so-called “double engine victory”, that is having governments at the Centre and state that are allies.
“It is shameful that 60 percent of houses in the state with the highest rainfall are out of drinking water,” the TMC stated.
The opposition party also questioned other aspects of government policy. It highlighted that Mawphlang, the only real source of water for Shillong, is affected by stone quarrying, which is having a destructive effect on ground and surface water. “The state clearly does not have a comprehensive water management policy,” the TMC said.
The party also described as “weak” Public Health Engineering Minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar’s claim that rising steel prices is slowing down the execution of the work. The TMC reminded that smaller than acceptable pipes were uncovered by a pressure group while on their way to a JJM project site, which led to accusations of corruption.
