Shillong, March 24: Newly elected Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Salmanpara Constituency in South West Garo Hills, Ian Botham K Sangma on Friday urged the government to prioritize implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in his constituency to ensure that people in remote areas get access to potable water.
Taking part in the discussion on the motion on style and functioning of PHE department moved by opposition Congress legislator Ronnie V Lyngdoh during the Budgets Session, Sangma said while the JJM has been successful in providing safe drinking water across the State, particularly in remote and rural areas, but many areas in his constituency are yet to be fully covered. He urged the Government and PHE Minister to prioritize the implementation of the scheme in his constituency, so that people can benefit from the programme that envisages to provide tap water to every household in the State.
“People in my constituency, particularly women express their difficulties in fetching water, which consumes a lot of their time, as most of them have to go to streams which are located about 1 km or more. Therefore, we are eagerly hoping that the completion of the ongoing projects under JJM in my constituency and in South West Garo Hills will prove to be a boon for the people of the area,” he said.
The MLA also drew attention to other issues that are important for his constituency, including the smooth functioning of the newly created C&RD block at Purakhasia. He said the block is functioning from a temporary building, and urged the Government to create a permanent building for the new block in the constituency.
He further urged the government to consider upgradation of Purakhasia PHC to CHC. He informed that the proposal towards this demand was submitted to the Health Department last year. He also requested the establishment of a new PHC at Gopinathkilla.
