Shillong, Sept 23: Contractors are yet to get payment of Rs 700 crore for the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects in Meghalaya thereby affecting the completion of the project.
Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise N Marak said, “In terms of payment, we are yet to make almost Rs 700 crore pending payment.”
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Marak admitted that the pending payments have affected the work on some projects, with capable contractors continuing to work while others have halted construction due to financial constraints
He clarified that this is not due to the state government’s inaction, but rather because of procedural delays at the central government level.
“It is not because of the state government it is because of the government of India as there are some procedures. Government of India needs to take a decision.
He said the Centre extended the JJM deadline to 2028.
The minister assured that the earmarked funds will be released to the state once the auditing is completed enabling payment to contractors.
“Therefore, now the government of India has to release the money which they have already earmarked for the Jal Shakti Ministry and as per finance ministry’s mandate, the kind of audit that is being conducted with the Jal Shakti Ministry is completed, the money will be released to the state and once the money is released the payment will start,” he said.
He expressed understanding for the hardships faced by contractors and assured that efforts are being made to resolve the issue.
