Shillong, Jan 10: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday informed that Meghalaya will be the only state to be receiving the bonus package for the third consecutive year under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) for successfully completing the projects.
He informed this on the occasion of laying the foundation stone for Augmentation of Water Supply Schemes for villages around New Shillong Township, Mawdiangdiang, Mawkasian, Mawpdap, Diengiong, Mawlong, Siejiong and Tynring. Also present during the occasion was MLA of Mawryngkneng, Pyniaid Sing Syiem, among others.
The NPP-led MDA Govt. had pursued with @MoJSDoWRRDGR for the inclusion of Census Towns under @jaljeevan_.
These two projects that we laid foundations for today are the fruition of our persistence to ensure water supply to our households under census towns pic.twitter.com/yAmmcaA2AT
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) January 10, 2023
He also assured that the project for augmentation of water supply will be completed on time and urged the officials of the department to continuously monitor the project.
He also urged the society and community to work together for the preservation and conservation of streams, water bodies and forests. “The Jal Jeevan programme is a holistic program and the community has to take an active involvement to make the programme sustainable,” he said.
Sangma further informed that the State from 2018, even when the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) had not started, had begun the process of reactivating the PHE department. “During that time PHE did not have any specific programs because the different rural water supply schemes had already been stopped after the 14th Finance Commission changes in the share of central taxes and, hence, we were in a different position when it came to PHE as PHE did not have source of funding at that time,” he said.
He stated that the Jal Jeevan programme is one of the biggest blessings for the department and said, “There has been a transformation in the working of the PHE department and this has resulted in the transformation in the lives of the people.”
The programme was also attended by community leaders and representatives and MDC, Laitumkhrah, F J Lakadong and Commissioner & Secretary, PHED, Syed Md Andaleeb Razi.