PHE lays foundation stone

SHILLONG, MAY 29: Minister for PHE, Samlin Malngiang accompanied by Chairman Meghalaya State Planning Board Lambor Malngiang today laid the foundation stones for two water supply schemes for villages falling under Nongkrem constituency, namely Umiew Pomlakrai and Mawpynthih.

The water supply schemes have been funded under the Jal Jivan Mission (JJM), a flagship programme of the Government of India, which aims to connect every rural household with functional household tap connection by 2024.

With the aim of achieving the goal of the schemes, an amount of Rs. 3.73 crores and Rs. 10,28,51,464 crores has been sanctioned for Umiew Pomlakrai and Mawpynthih respectively.

Speaking on the occasion Samlin Malngiang said that water is life and hence there is a need to conserve forest cover so as to ensure the preservation of water sources. With the launch of Jal Jivan Mission scheme in the state, he expressed hope that the people in the rural areas will be greatly benefited. Samlin also urged the Dorbar Shnongs and all stakeholders to work with cooperation to ensure speedy and successful implementation of the scheme in both the villages.

Lambor pointed out that most of the villages under Nongkrem constituency have long been neglected and lack basic facilities. Therefore the implementation of the water supply schemes will go a long way in addressing a felt need for the people of Umiew Pomlakrai and Mawpynthih villages, he opined.

Lambor also informed that besides the water supply schemes, a road project has also been sanctioned by the World Bank to the tune of 33 cr. With such development projects underway, he was hopeful that there will be a positive impact in the lives of the people of the area.

The initiative to spearhead the Jal Jivan Mission in the State has been taken by the PHE department right from the conceptional stage and an action plan for the year 2020-2021 up to 2023-24 has been prepared, with a view to connect every household with pipe water so as to ensure that every household receives safe drinking water.

The programmes were also attended by the officers of the PHE department led by the Additional CE, the Rangbah Shnongs and members of the executive committee of the Dorbar Shnong of Umiew Pomlakrai and Mawpynthih village respectively.

By Our Reporter