Assam: Complaints raised regarding implementation of JJM project

Hatsingimari: Local citizens of an area in Salmara Mankachar district of the state have approached the authorities alleging corruption in the implementation of Mission Jal Jeevan projects in the area. People allege that large-scale corruption has taken place during the implementation of the PWSS of Malakhowa under Mission Jal Jeevan by the engineering and public health departments in Mankachar district, south of Salmara. Noting that, although the project was allegedly finalized and handed over to interested operators, the public is yet to receive the drinking water promised by the government. These are obliged to submit a written complaint to the Commissioner of the rural district as well as to the highest officials of the concerned department. The said project was approved in the financial year 2022-23 with an expenditure of Rs 142.73 lakh. However, the local public alleged that the contractors ignored the required standards and constructed the project using materials below the required standards. He also mentioned that the contractors had maintained the main supply pipe to a depth of only one foot, while the contractors mentioned that it should have been laid to a depth of 1 metre. He also said that instead of delivering taps for water connections to the beneficiaries’ homes, the contractor had placed them along his road and said that the cameras required in the project were not properly covered. It is mentioned that officials from DC’s engineering and public health departments will officially pitch the project to the users’ committee through a virtual meeting on December 1, 2023. However, citizens questioned how it could be delivered to the users’ committee. User without loan terms. The implementation of the project and the pipes failed to supply water to houses in the area. As a result, the local population wrote letters to the authorities demanding that they take control and take necessary steps against the contractor executing the project.