SHILLONG: The State PHE department is awaiting release of the fourth installment of Rs.43 crore from the Central Government to resume the construction work for Phase III of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme.
Speaking to media persons in Shillong on Sunday, SK Sunn, Chief Engineer, PHE Department, informed that the department had received an amount of Rs.43 crore each in the first and third installment while 10 per cent of the amount was deducted during release of the second installment since the Centre had imposed a penalty after the State failed to initiate reforms under urban governance laid down under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
The PHE Engineer also informed that the department has asked Union Minister of State for Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ram Kripal Yadav, who is on a visit to the State, to release the fourth installment along with the 10 per cent that had been deducted from the second installment.
Incidentally, the Union MoS for Drinking Water and Sanitation inspected the GSWSS project at Mawphlang along with officials of the PHE department and later expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the project.
‘Misleading to claim Centre not giving money’
The Union MoS, meanwhile, denied allegations that the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre was not releasing funds to states ruled by other parties.
Reacting to a query on this, Yadav claimed that there was no truth in such statements and added that some people were trying to give a wrong message to the people.
“We are actually giving 90 per cent funds for certain projects while the respective state is contributing only 10 per cent,” he said.
He also reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has special focus on the North East and has directed all ministers to visit the region every two months and spend at least 48 hours and take stock of the situation.
