SHILLONG, APR 9: The Meghalaya government is set to clear pending bills worth over Rs 900 crore to contractors implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state.
Informing this on Thursday, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise N Marak said, “The pending bills of contractors implementing the JJM is more than Rs 900 crore, but the process of payment will start very soon after the completion of the process.”
“We have signed an MoU for implementation of JJM 2.0. All the projects completed 75 to 100 percent will be given payments once the office procedure is completed,” Marak said, adding that the department is already working on the process.
The Minister explained that the delay in payment was due to mandatory procedures required by the Government of India’s Ministry Jal Shakti, including reconciliation of expenditure and creation of Sujal Gaon ID for each project.
“Those projects which have completed 75 to 100 percent, the reconciliation process has already been done by the department. The Sujal Gaon ID is in the process now and will be completed,” Marak said.
Addressing concerns over allegations of pipes being laid but no water supply, Marak attributed it to issues with sources and incomplete projects, assuring that the government is working on it.
The JJM 2.0 is a continuation of the mission, focusing on operation and maintenance, and sustainability of the projects, as stressed by the Government of India.
By Our Reporter
