BAGHMARA/SHILLONG, Feb 19: A stark contrast has emerged in Meghalaya’s implementation of the Centre’s flagship Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) — while the state government claims significant progress in providing household tap water connections, locals in South Garo Hills have raised concerns over an incomplete project under the same scheme.
According to the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, as of February 19, 2025, a total of 5,32,180 Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) have been installed, covering 81.76% of target households. The government aims to achieve full coverage across 6,457 villages by March 2026. However, reports of delays and irregularities in certain areas have cast a shadow over this ambitious target.
In South Garo Hills, work on a JJM project meant to benefit at least 10 villages under Sankinigre has remained stalled, leading the Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC – Ashuragre) and the FKJGP – Chokpot Regional Unit, along with local residents, to lodge police and administrative complaints. The complaints, filed on Wednesday, accuse a contractor of failing to begin work despite withdrawing Rs 1.86 crore for the project.
Surprisingly, the JJM website records 417 completed FHTCs against a proposed 399, yet it also reflects that only 2% of the project has been completed, raising concerns over discrepancies in data.
“This is a case of corruption, as the contractor is legally bound to complete the project after utilising public funds. We have repeatedly urged them to act, but our pleas have gone unheard. We demand legal action against the contractor and her husband, whose inaction is directly harming the public,” the complainants stated in their FIR.
As per RTI findings, the project was sanctioned on July 16, 2021, with completion expected within a year. However, investigation by the local groups revealed that work has not even started. Further, the contractor, Morjina Marak, and her husband, Chenang Sangma — who is supposed to oversee the project — have allegedly refused to engage with villagers.
The complainants also allege that Chenang Sangma, who claims to be the youth wing president of the NPP in East Garo Hills, has been using his political influence to stall action against him. The project, valued at Rs 3.48 crore, was meant to augment the Alagre Songgital Combined Water Supply Scheme, covering villages including Ala Nokatgre, Ala Rongpakgre, Alagre, Anigre, Asinanggre, Ashugre, Debaigre, Deku Bazar, Gadak Nawepilgre, Ganchi Kalak, Kama Anigre, Nachi Adugre, and Rimrangpara Adingre under Chokpot C&RD Block.
Meanwhile, the PHE department asserts that it has provided 100% FHTC coverage in 4,068 villages, with 2,699 villages officially recognised as “Har Ghar Jal” under JJM.
To ensure water quality and monitoring, the government has established a State Level Laboratory, accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). Additionally, 12 District Level Laboratories (six already NABL-accredited) and 18 Sub-Divisional Level Laboratories have been set up across the state to enhance water safety measures.
In its efforts to strengthen the local workforce, the department has also provided skill development training to 6,295 individuals in various trades, aiming for long-term sustainability in water infrastructure.
Highlighting the complexity of implementing water projects in Meghalaya, PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak emphasised that community participation is essential, given that Meghalaya is a Sixth Schedule state where land and water sources are largely community or privately owned.
However, he acknowledged that this unique landholding system poses challenges in executing government projects like JJM, as the scheme does not provide for land acquisition. “Securing land and water sources has often been a challenge, leading to project delays. Additionally, the state’s scattered villages and small populations result in higher implementation costs for water supply schemes,” he added.
While the government continues to push forward with its JJM goals, unresolved complaints like those in South Garo Hills raise questions about accountability and transparency in executing large-scale public welfare projects.
