Shillong, Mar 7: Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar on Monday expressed optimism that the state will be able to complete the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) within the stipulated time.

“Almost all the works are in progress and we hope to complete the mission in time,” Tongkhar said in his reply in the Assembly.

When AITC legislator from Rangsakona Zenith M Sangma asserted the need for ensuring uniformity in the use of pipes for implementation of the JJM in the state, the minister said that the Ministry has allowed use of GI pipes and HDPE plastic pipes for distribution of water in the entire country.

Zenith, however, pointed out that the HDPE pipes are substandard and they are costing only Rs 17 while GI pipes at Rs 200, to which Tongkhar said that HDPE pipes have long life of 50 years compared to GI pipes with 15 years lifespan.

According to him, the use of GI pipes and HDPE pipes depends on situation to situation and project to project.

The minister further informed that he has no information when the Rangsakona legislator alleged that 6-7 percent has to be paid to the third party for clearing the bills to contractors.

According to Tongkhar, the bills are being paid after certification on the quality of work done by the contractors.

Earlier, the minister had informed that over 531 villages in North Garo Hills are proposed to be covered under the JJM and that the overall progress in percentage is 28.43%.

Expressing concern that laying of pipes overground would only make them vulnerable to thefts, AITC legislator Marthon Sangma said that there are complaints that a single contractor was given over 6-7 projects due to which they cannot complete the work on time.

He also urged the government to look into the allegation of contractors selling the work orders to others.

The minister, however, said that awarding of works under JJM is being done as per recommendation of the Village Water Sanitation Committee (VWSC).