SHILLONG, Jan 13: Amid controversy surrounding Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Centre’s flagship scheme, the State BJP on Thursday said that it will not allow the implementation of JJM in the
state if it is not done in accordance with the guidelines of the central government and in conformity with the assurances given by PHE Minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar.
“I have met the minister day before yesterday and he has given his word to us that he will give strong order against the supply of low quality pipes and he will again supervise all the concerned officials to do the work in a proper way according to the guideline of the Centre,” said State BJP president Ernest Mawrie on Thursday.
The party president was quick to add, “If not, we will not allow (it). Let us wait and see. The BJP will be vigilant and monitoring.”
Informing that the minister has assured that they will implement the scheme in letter and spirit according to the guidelines of the Centre, Mawrie said, “He has agreed to the loopholes and some pressure groups had also pointed out but we have been pointing that out long before and it was also discussed in our State Executive Committee meet.”
“He is calling for a meeting of the PHE Chief Engineer and all the officials concerned they have agreed that they will see and do the work as per the guidelines from the Centre,” he added.
On the response from the Centre to the State BJP’s remarks on the shoddy implementation of the JJM in the state, Mawrie said, “That is why Union Minister of State for Food Processing and Jal Shakti, Prahlad Singh Patel, had inspected during his recent visit to the state because of our letter which we had written to the Centre flagging the issue.”
“He did not say much but had directed to implement it in a proper way,” Mawrie said.
“Nothing to comment, let’s see now they have agreed to take action against irregularities so let us wait and watch,” he added.
