Shillong, Dec 11: Advocate Nazmul Hashan, President, Garo Hills Youth Organisation (GHYO) has filed a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills on Monday alleging embezzlement of JJM (Jal Jeevan Mission) fund after assessing the ground reality and comparing it with the data, report and record of the JJM Portal. The petition is regarding the JJM (Augmentation of Nekikona Combined WSS & Construction of Babilgre WSS) work implementation in the villages.
Hashan pointed out that in a village like Askikandi, neither water tap nor pipe is provided whereby the JJM fund is likely to be misused or has been misused partly or fully by the contractors or authorities or the department concerned.
“Hence, a massive embezzlement of JJM funds in the name of water connection work in the village of Askikandi under augmentation from Nekikona in the District of West Garo Hills has taken place”, he said.
JJM was launched by the Prime Minister of India on August 15, 2019 to provide Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) by 2024 to every rural household.
“Whereas, as per the report, record and data in the JJM portal, some amount was provided in the name of JJM water supply to the household of village Askikandi and other villages but in reality not a single tap or water pipe was installed or connected in the village of Askikandi and other villages under the two projects Augmentation of Nekikona combined WSS & Construction of Babilgre WSS”, Hashan said.
The government/ administration/ department concerned should immediately initiate a through investigation/ inquiry into this alleged scam to identify the real culprits. Those responsible should be punished as per the appropriate law. The culprits should be punished till they groan and cry–water, water, water, he said.
Some water tanks in the school were installed but no water supply or connection is provided.
Whereas, it is clearly mentioned in the JJM portal that availability of drinking water through tap connection is “yes” and running water in toilets/ urinals “yes”.
He wanted the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, to initiate inquiry and punish the culprits as per appropriate law.
