SHILLONG, Dec 12: PHE Minister, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar on Sunday dismissed the BJP’s charge of shoddy implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state.
He said the use of High Density Polyethylene Pipes (HDPE) or plastic pipes is allowed nationally by the central government.
Recently, the BJP had stated that it received complaints about plastic pipes being used at many places instead of GI pipes. The party had also said that the matter was brought to the Centre’s notice.
But Tongkhar told The Shillong Times, “The use of plastic pipe or HDPE pipe is allowed nationally in JJM.”
Recalling his visit to Karnataka to study the implementation of JJM, he said, “They carried out the work very fast because they used plastic pipes. We are not using plastic pipes everywhere. Its use has been limited in the state.”
“HDPE pipe is allowed for distribution. We are sticking with GI pipes only for mainline,” he said, adding, “The government is benefitting by using plastic pipes because the price is very low, much less than the GI pipes”.
Water will come as it is and it will be of better quality as there will be no rust for using this high quality plastic pipe, he said.
Stating that there are many villages where the source of water is very far, he said it differs from scheme to scheme and since the government has allowed the use of plastic pipe, the department used it only in such schemes which entail a higher budget.
Under JJM, the estimated rate is fixed per household and if the amount is not sufficient to get the work done, the use of HDPE pipe or plastic pipe will reduce the cost, he said.
The Minister said five contractors have been empanelled to supply the pipes. Earlier, the contractors were allowed to procure the item from the market.
On allegations of various sorts frequently levelled by the BJP, he said, “It is not appropriate for them to just make statements. If they have time, they can ascertain the facts from my office or from the office of engineers and chief engineers,” he added.
