JJM bill delays due to pending UCs from ADCs: Meghalaya PHE Minister

SHILLONG, MAY 20: Pending utilization certificates (UCs) from autonomous district councils (ADCs) for funds under the 15th Finance Commission are holding up Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) payments in Meghalaya, PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak said Wednesday.

Referring to a recent review meeting with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at Taraghar state guest house, Marak clarified that the delay is not due to the State government or the PHE department.

“Now, we have not been able to pay JJM bills till now and it is not because of the government of Meghalaya or because of the PHE department, it is from the government of India,” Marak said.

“There are lots of conditions and criteria that government of India has given. So, now government of Meghalaya’s PHE department has done all and completed all the conditions.”

The Minister said the State is close to meeting the Jal Shakti Ministry’s requirements.

“Certain issues are there where we have to achieve more than 70% and we are almost completing the conditions given by Jal Shakti Ministry, government of India, so that the payment can start,” he said.

He pointed to pending UCs from district councils as the key bottleneck. “The issue is that under Tied fund 15th Finance Commission, the government of India has given money to the three district councils. I think around Rs 45 crore was given in the year 2021-22.”

“Now, the government of India is asking for the utilization certificates from them. Some of the district councils have not completed the UCs with regards to that particular money.”

Marak said the Chief Minister has intervened to resolve the issue. “Therefore, we are awaiting and we have apprised the chief minister about that and he has directed the chief secretary and additional chief secretary to have a separate meeting with the district councils so that the UCs will be submitted and accordingly we will be able to claim the JJM payment from the government of India.”