Shillong, June 15: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has reached an agreement with the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department to work together for the implementation of tied grants earmarked by the 15th Finance Commission.
“We will be having a meeting with the PHE department to decide on the villages that will benefit from the tied grants. The funds earmarked are for providing potable water to rural households,” the council’s Chief Executive Member, Titosstarwell Chyne told reporters after his meeting with Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma.
He said the KHADC agreed to work with the PHE department since it is already implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual “functional household tap connections”.
Earlier, Chyne had stated that the council would put pressure on the state government to release the funds under tied grants. The government, instead of transferring the amount to the KHADC, had passed it on to the PHE department.
Chyne had then stated that the question of diversion of funds to the PHE department does not arise since the autonomous district councils are recognised as Rural Local Bodies for the implementation of funds earmarked by the Finance Commission as per the circular issued by the Ministry of Finance.
A committee, comprising senior officials of various departments, in its meeting held on October 15 last year had decided that the tied grants meant for specific uses like sanitation and water supply will be given to the PHE department.
Clarifying that Rs 45.50 crore under the tied grants would be part of the JJM, an official of the PHE department had said this fund would be utilised for villages which are not eligible for JJM due to certain restrictions in the guidelines.
The Centre had released Rs 45.50 crore from the un-tied grants and another Rs 45.50 crore from the tied grants.
Chyne said the council has urged the CM to release some funds to it, so the MDCs can assist people in their constituencies during the Covid-19 situation. He pointed out that the livelihood of people, including daily wagers, has been badly affected due to the lockdown.
