Payments worth Rs 700 crore pending for JJM projects in state
Shillong, Sep 23: The state government is awaiting release of funds under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) from the Central government to clear pending payments of over Rs 700 crore to contractors engaged in JJM projects in Meghalaya.
“In terms of payment, we are yet to pay almost Rs 700 crore (to contractors),” Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise N Marak told reporters on Tuesday while clarifying that it is because of the delay in release of funds from the Centre.
Admitting delay in some projects due to delay in payments, he said some contractors who can afford have continued the work while others have halted construction due to financial constraints.
Expressing the contractors’ hardship, the minister said the government is making efforts to resolve the issue.
Explaining the issue as “procedural delay” on the part of the Central government, he said, “Government of India needs to take a decision because (initial) target was set for March 31, 2024 and after that GoI has not taken any decision.”
Later, the Central government extended the JJM deadline to 2028, he said.
Assuring that the earmarked funds will be released to the state after completion of audit, he said, “Once the money is released, the payment will start.”
