By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 20: Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise N Marak on Wednesday said delays in the release of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) payments were linked to pending utilisation certificates related to funds provided by the Centre to the autonomous district councils (ADCs).
Referring to a recent review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at Tura, the minister said the state government and the PHE department had already fulfilled most of the conditions laid down by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry for the release of JJM funds.
Marak said the delay in payments was not due to the state government or the PHE department but was connected to conditions imposed by the Centre.
He stated that Meghalaya had completed almost all required formalities, including progress under Jal Ankalan, where the state had reportedly achieved over 70 per cent.
The PHE Minister, however, said an issue remained regarding funds released under the 15th Finance Commission tied grants to the three autonomous district councils.
According to him, around Rs 45 crore was released to the councils during 2021-22, and the Centre was now seeking utilisation certificates for those funds.
He said some district councils had not yet submitted the required utilisation certificates, due to which the State was unable to process claims for pending JJM payments from the Centre.
Marak said the matter was brought to the attention of the Chief Minister during the review meeting, following which directions were issued to the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary to hold separate meetings with the district councils to expedite submission of the utilisation certificates.
‘Positive response’ for NPP in GH
Marak, on the other hand, said that the party was receiving a positive response across Garo Hills, with leaders and supporters from other political parties joining the NPP ahead of the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
Marak said a district executive meeting was held in North Garo Hills on Tuesday where party leaders discussed accommodating new entrants into various organisational positions at the district and block levels based on their experience and expertise.
He said instructions had been given to block leaders, district leaders and MLAs to prepare lists of leaders joining from other political parties so that they could be appropriately accommodated within the party structure.
Marak also said that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was in South West Garo Hills where a large number of leaders and supporters had joined the NPP.
According to Marak, the increasing support for the party in Garo Hills was linked to ongoing development activities in the region. He said people had witnessed improvements in infrastructure, educational institutions and employment opportunities under the present government.
Informing that efforts were being made to establish a medical college in the region, he said such initiatives had contributed to growing public support for the NPP.
