No tap connection but JJM website says something else !
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, July 14 2024: Paorei and Varangalai hamlets in Ukhrul have no household tap water connection despite the fact that the official website of "Jal Jeevan Mission- Har Ghar Jal" listed 777 households of Phungcham, 462 households of Paorei and 210 households of Varangalai as beneficiaries.

The two villages were told that they were not covered by the Jal Jeevan Mission, and they believed it to be true until recently.

The two villages have now learnt that they have been "lied to" and "deprived" of their rights.

Phungcham village headman Wungnaongam said both Paorei and Varangalai fall under his village, however both the villages have separate development committees and these committees look into their respective affairs.

He said the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) works commenced in Phungcham village in 2020 .

Under the mission, two reservoirs and three distributor tanks have been constructed in Phungcham village, and 253 tap connections are being provided, he said in a press meet held at his residence where leaders of other villages were present.

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a National flagship project taken up by the Government of India to provide functional household tap connections to every household.

In the meantime, the village secretary, Sorin Khaleng expressed strong dismay and alleged that the PHE Department had deceived Paorei and Varangalai villagers.

"When we enquired about the JJM project, we were told that Paorei and Varangalai were not included.

Even the local MLA said the same and informed us that he was working very hard for an optional project to provide tap water to the villagers," Sorin said.

But, after the villagers went through the official website "Jal Jeevan Mission- Har Ghar Jal", Sorin said the Department and even the MLA appeared to have "lied" to the villagers.

According to the website, Sorin said the beneficiaries of the Jal Jeevan Mission include 777 households of Phungcham, 462 households of Paorei and 210 households of Varangalai.

On the ground however, nothing has been initiated in both Paorei and Varangalai, said Ningkhan, chairman of Varangalai village.

The website also has information on "Functional Household Tap Connection in every Rural home" .

The website claims the number of tap water connections provided in Phungcham is 777, at Paorei is 53 and 5 in Varangalai, he said.

Ningkhan said the villagers of Paorei and Varangalai were kept in the dark and uninformed about the Jal Jeevan Mission project for at least two years.

The village leaders said it appeared "things were done covertly to siphon the public fund" .

"The villagers of Paorei and Varangalai want tap water connections in every household.

We want the authorities concerned to start constructions immediately and ensure tap water connections in the villages.

The villagers should be given their due," said the leaders of the villages.

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