Conrad apprises Union minister of JJM implementation in Meghalaya

SHILLONG, June 18: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday apprised Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat of the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) project in Meghalaya.
It is pertinent to note that the chief minister meeting with Union Jal Shakti minister comes days after PHE Minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar informed that the increase in price of GI pipes has brought about a marginal dip in the work progress of JJM project implementation in the state.
Conrad, who called on the Union Minister in the national capital, also sought the support for implementation of various schemes under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Earlier, Tongkhar had informed that the progress of JJM implementation in state has slowed down a bit.
“If the price of steel is high, the price of GI pipes will also be high. And if we buy (the pipes) at that rate, it will affect our contractors as the estimate cost of the pipes has to be recovered from the contractors’ bill. If we buy at higher rate, it will create more problems for our contractors, which is why we have to wait for some time,” Tongkhar had said.
“We have competed 40 per cent and most of the work has been sanctioned and order given, and most of them are in the process of calling tender. The price of steel has dropped and hopefully the price of pipes will also come down in some days,” the PHE minister had informed.