Tura, Aug 11: As if to show that all is not well with the centre’s flagship programme in the state, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the village of Rongopgre and its sister areas have been suffering without water that they were destined under the scheme for the past two years after the contractor provided the sanction stopped working.
The village of Rongopgre lies about 45 kms from Krishnai in Assam. It is just about 55 kms from the town of Tura and lies of the lifeline on the National Highway 51 that serves the entire Garo Hills region.
The villagers, all of at least 153 households in three sister villages (out of a cluster of 7) under Rongopgre, are aware of schemes but do not know its internal workings.
The JJM project under these three villages has been given to one Mark Jery Marak, a resident of the same district.
“There have been numerous times when we were asked for our IDs and other documents because they wanted to provide us toilets under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) but every time our hope is crushed. We just keep waiting and waiting until the next time they come to us. If we are eligible for a scheme, the government and especially those from our area should help us get what we are due for,” said president of Rongopgre Dosbari, Malesh K Marak.
During a visit to the village on Friday, the villagers laid bare their angst over the various denials that they have had to face despite the proximity to civilization and all people in the administration knowing of their presence.
“Our village water scheme under JJM has been stuck in limbo since the past two years with no one from the department or the contractor even coming forward to know what was happening. We have not complained as yet to anyone because we have no idea what and whom to approach on the issue,” said a local resident, Apu Marak.
The village, during the visit showed enough water reserves for the project to succeed if implemented correctly.
A perennial stream, Rongddu runs through the village and is also the source of the JJM project. A dam for the project’s implementation has also been built along with the main reservoir and secondary reservoirs to cater to the additional villages. However nothing has been connected as yet.
Water transmission pipes were seen lying around in a few places including GI and HDPE (expected to be used to household connections). These, as per locals, have been lying around for ages with the contractor not even bothering to ensure their fitment to provide water to households. No filtration process could be found during the visit.
“Water is the mother and father of all of us and we can only appeal to the authorities to ensure that we get what we are due for. Is it really asking for too much? We are being denied these essential things only due to negligence of the departments and the contractor concerned,” added Rongopgre Soil Gittim president, Pewland R Marak.
The villagers also informed that despite there being no progress in their water project, hardly any visits have been paid by the PHE department. Despite this, no complaints have been made to either the department or the district administration by the villagers.
“We want to not be neglected anymore and want this project to be completed so that we can benefit from what is rightly our due. This same thing has happened even during the distribution of toilets as well. It’s time to change things for our betterment,” added Apu Marak.
The villagers expressed surprise that villages being in the hilly tracts near them have had their JJM projects completed and receiving regular water despite these projects starting long after theirs.
On being informed of the extended delay in the implementation of the project, PHE authorities informed that they were aware of the issue and the contractor was even given a show cause.
“We sent him a notice to immediately begin work but he has not responded. We are working out the best way forward to ensure the project is completed quickly,” informed the PHE authorities.
Deputy Commissioner, K Mitali Chandra, when contacted stated that she would talk to both the department as well as the contractor to seek answers. A meeting is being called and is expected to be taken up this week itself.
“This is not a singular case for both JJM and SBA toilets in the district during my travels. I am asking for more details on these and action will definitely follow,” informed the DC.
