Shillong, Dec 18 (UNI) The union government is expected to release funds worth Rs 700 crore for works undertaken under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Meghalaya by January 2026, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise Marak said.
He said this decision was taken after the Centre’s recent meeting with chief engineers from all the states in the national capital. “The chief engineer briefed me that the government of India will release the funds very soon, most probably in January. Some states have been asked to rectify issues in their JJM projects before the release,” Marak said. He said the Centre has not yet released the funds as some states are facing challenges in implementing the JJM.
JJM contractors in Meghalaya have been up in arms recently over the non-payment of Rs 700 crore in dues. Stating that JJM work in Meghalaya is progressing well and remains transparent, Marak said, “We have completed over 83 percent of the work in the state. There are minor discrepancies, which are being rectified.”
He said that bills worth over Rs 700 crore in Meghalaya are ready for payment; all that remains is actually receiving the funds from New Delhi. “These bills have been uploaded online through the MIS, have completed third-party inspection and are ready for payment once funds are released,” he said.
On the alleged discrepancies within the state, Marak said action is pending against a few contractors in one or two projects. “We have directed the concerned Officers to take necessary action, failing which they themselves will be held accountable,” the minister said.
