By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 17: Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise Marak on Wednesday said that the Centre is expected to release the pending Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) funds by January 2026.
Addressing media persons, Marak explained that the Centre has not yet released the funds due to implementation-related issues faced by some states under the JJM.
He informed that a meeting of chief engineers from across the country was held in New Delhi on Monday, during which the matter was discussed.
“The chief engineer briefed me that the Government of India will release the funds very soon, most probably in January. Some states have been asked to rectify issues in their JJM projects before the release,” Marak said.
He maintained that the implementation of the JJM in Meghalaya is progressing well and is being carried out in a transparent manner.
“We have completed over 83 per cent of the work in the state. There are minor discrepancies, which are being rectified,” the PHE minister said.
He also added that major issues are being reported from other states and not Meghalaya.
Informing that bills amounting to over Rs 700 crore in the state are ready for payment, he said, “These bills have been uploaded online through the MIS, have completed third-party inspection, and are ready for payment once funds are released.”
On discrepancies within the state, Marak said action is pending against a few contractors involved in one or two projects.
He added that concerned officers have been instructed to take necessary action, failing which they would be held accountable.
“Once the issues in other states are resolved, the Centre is expected to release the funds,” the PHE minister added.
