JJM: NPP, BJP spar over inclusion of census town

SHILLONG, Jan 14: A war of words broke out between NPP and BJP over the ruling party’s claim about the inclusions of census town in Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) project meant to curtail water crises.
The on-stage bickering has set the tone for public display of differences between coalition partners during the foundation laying event for the augmentation of the Mawpat Water Supply Scheme.
The BJP countered NPP’s claim as a bluff.
According to NPP national president and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma the inclusion of all census towns under the JJM in Meghalaya was pursued by the NPP-led government to curtail water scarcity and cater to the growing water requirements.
“Urge team @jjmmeghalaya to ensure implementation of the works at the earliest. Laid foundation for the Augmentation of the Mawpat Water Supply Scheme under @jaljeevan at a cost of ₹28.08 cr which will bring adequate water supply to 1922 households in the area which is a great blessing to the people,” Sangma later tweeted.
When senior BJP leader and Pynthorumkhrah MLA AL Hek took to the stage, he seemed visibly annoyed and asked the people to be on alert about what people claim and what they do.
He reminded that Pynthorumkhrah constituency was notified by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as a rural constituency and it is entitled to get all the facilities that a rural constituency should get.
“You may claim, proclaim and make tall promises but real fact will remain as it is,” he said.
He informed that after the delimitation of constituencies in 2013, Pynthorumkhrah was notified as Pynthorumkhrah rural constituency and the JJM project was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019, from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
Hek said that it is a central scheme to ensure water to every rural household, adding the constituency being a rural one becomes eligible for the scheme.
The BJP leader further attributed the constituency’s getting the scheme to months of hard work of all stakeholders and PHE Minister Renikton L Tongkhar.