Shillong, May 20: The state government has attributed the delay in release of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) funds for Meghalaya has been attributed to the pending utilization certificates (UCs) from autonomous district councils (ADCs) for funds under 15th Finance Commission.
Informing this on Wednesday, PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak clarified that PHE department or the state government is not directly responsible for the delay.
“We have not been able to pay JJM bills till now… it is not because of government of Meghalaya or PHE department… it is from the government of India,” Marak said while referring to the matter being taken up in a recent review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
The minister asserted that PHE department has completed all formalities and fulfilled all conditions laid down by government of India in this regard.
He said the State is close to meeting the Jal Shakti Ministry’s requirements.
“Certain issues are there where we have to achieve more than 70% and we are almost completing the conditions given by Jal Shakti Ministry, so that the payment can start,” he said.
He pointed out to pending UCs from district councils as the key bottleneck. “The issue is that under Tied fund 15th Finance Commission, government of India has given money to the three district councils. I think around Rs 45 crore was given in the year 2021-22.”
“Now, the government of India is asking for the utilization certificates from them. Some of the district councils have not completed the UCs with regards to that particular money.”
Stating that the Chief Minister has intervened to resolve the issue, Marak said the former had already directed the chief secretary and additional chief secretary to hold separate meetings with the district councils for submission of the UCs and facilitated release of the JJM funds.
