Jacob Zhimomi, Minister of PHED, Nagaland, in an exclusive interview to Hornbill TV, maintained that there has been no misappropriation of funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the State as alleged by the Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy & Direct Action Organisation (NTPRADAO). While acknowledging that the public has the right to question and to learn, the Minister said that he was taken aback by the allegations and hoped that there was no ulterior motive to tarnish his image.
The Minister said that the JJM implementation in Nagaland is a success story with 92% household tap coverage in the first phase that required the Department to facilitate the laying of one water tap connection in each house in the rural areas. He mentioned that the project involves three parties – the PHED, WATSAN (Water and Sanitation) Committee and a third party. Zhimomi explained that while the Department supervises, the village committee implements the project, either or their own or by involving contractors, and the independent third party assesses the work and sends the report to the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Read more: NTPRADAO alleges 1712.03 Crores Mega JJM Financial Scam in Nagaland, demands SIT
On the allegations on poor quality pipes leveled by the NTPRADAO, the Minister told Hornbill TV that all the products used in the JJM project are ISI certified as per the guidelines and approved by the inspection board. However, the products are bound to naturally have issues overtime, he added.
Further, Zhimomi said that the accusations against the officers of his Department were “baseless” and asserted that he had complete confidence in the “transparent, efficient and competent engineers”. He reiterated that the Department had no hand in the implementation of the project and only provided supervision and technical assistance as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. He also said that the PHED was yet to receive all the funds from the Centre and that it anticipates the release of these funds to pay the WATSAN Committees for the completed work.
The Minister told Hornbill TV that to further clarify the allegations, an “enquiry commission” headed by the Principal Secretary of the Department will be constituted which will send its report to the State Government.
