By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 10: Opposition TMC MLA from Rajabala, Mizanur R Kazi, on Monday questioned the state government’s figures regarding the progress of the Nekikona Combined Water Supply Project. He pointed out that, despite official claims, 26 villages still lack main pipelines and tap connections.
Raising a supplementary question, Kazi said that while the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister reported 87% completion, ground reports suggest otherwise. He asked the Minister on what basis the government arrived at this figure.
In response, PHE Minister Marcuise N. Marak detailed the project’s different components —Construction of RCC structures (100% completed), Simplified treatment plant (100% completed), Overhead zonal reservoir (100% completed), Laying of MS gravity main pipeline (100% completed), GI feeder main pipeline (100% completed) and GI distribution main pipeline (60% completed).
He clarified that only the distribution work remains pending and assured that the project would be completed within the next two to three months, providing functional household tap connections to 7,178 households.
Kazi then asked about the status of the investigation report sought by the Meghalaya Lokayukta regarding the project.
In reply, Marak said that the complaint had been forwarded to the Centralized Public Grievances Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), and an inquiry was conducted.
Reading out the inquiry report, he stated: “The inquiry could not establish any malpractice on the part of the PHE officials responsible for implementing the Nekikona Combined Water Supply Scheme (WSS). The work on both schemes is ongoing and has not yet reached 100% completion, either financially or physically. However, a field visit confirmed that the overall work is progressing at a good pace.”
He added, “Payments to the contractor have been made strictly as per the work completed and the contract agreement. Disparities exist between the figures on the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) dashboard and the ground reality due to the substantial volume of data, processing delays, and field-level complexities. The Executive Engineer should work to bridge communication gaps with subordinate officers and staff to ensure accurate information is uploaded.”
The inquiry report also urged the contractor to expedite work, while the department assured full efforts to ensure timely completion so that residents could access safe and sufficient drinking water.
Raising another key concern, Kazi said, “The web portal shows that water testing has been done and household tap connections have been provided, yet on the ground, no connections exist. How is this possible? Also, how did third-party auditor NEDFI grant clearance, allowing 95% of the sanctioned amount to be disbursed?”
In response, Marak admitted discrepancies in the JJM dashboard but insisted that they were later corrected.
“As mentioned earlier, some figures were misreported in the MIS due to ground-level complexities. However, no payments have been made for work that has not been completed,” he clarified.