JJM IDs generated for 6,772 habitations in Meghalaya
Shillong, April 30: In order to strengthen the operation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Meghalaya, the state government has asked all deputy commissioners to hold monthly District Water and Sanitation Committee (DWSC) meetings and upload proceedings on the Centre’s IMIS portal for real-time review.
Informing this on Thursday, PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak said ID creation for JJM infrastructure, as mandated by the Centre, is in advanced stages.
“The department has already created the ID for out village infrastructure – 1,931 IDs have covered for 6,772 habitations and 51 IDs for out-village infrastructure is still pending,” he said.
Regarding in-village components, the minister said, “In-village infrastructure is also there for which 1,570 IDs have been covered and for that, 2,500 habitations have been finalised leaving just 89 IDs in draft level.”
Underscoring the role of DCs, as DWSC chairmen, he said, “They will have to monitor and hold meetings and minutes of the meetings will have to be uploaded on the IMIS based on which the government of India will be able to review and follow up the matters,” he said.
He also stressed the need for village water and sanitation committees taking ownership of the projects for keeping them functional.
To address technical gaps, the state has set up “district technical units where any technical issues, the district technical units will identify and report to the DCs and accordingly DCs will report back to the state government.”
Confirming the Centre’s directive, Marak said, “The government of India has mandated the DWSCs to strictly monitor the projects under JJM.”
The DCs have been asked to hold regular meetings, especially DWSCs, which have to upload the minutes in the IMIS, he said.
On reports of completed pipelines without water supply, the minister said DWSCs will diagnose the reasons.
“Huge infrastructures are being created through JJM. Pipes are already there… DWSCs will find out what are the issues – if pipes are there why water is not there,” he said.
“PHE department alone cannot convince the people out there but if DCs and BDOs are involved, state machineries are involved, we will be able to address the issue,” he said.
“We will be requesting all the stakeholders to cooperate with the government to make it functional and for sustainability of the projects,” Marak said.
