Dimapur, December 19 (MExN): The three divisions of the Water & Sanitation (WATSAN) Committees – Dimapur Urban Division and the Rural Divisions of Niuland & Chümoukedima – have dismissed the allegations made by the Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy & Direct Action Organisation (NTPRADAO) regarding the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme in Nagaland.
Recently, NTPRADAO reiterated its allegations and demanded the re-designation of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Minister, as well as penalties against some other department officials.
In a press release, the Water & Sanitation (WATSAN) Committee, Dimapur Urban Division, stated that should the Union Ministry withhold the pending bills for completed works, NTPRADAO "will be held responsible, and all such bills will be borne by the organisation."
Terming the organisation as "self-styled", the division added that the "recent rambling amongst its members has once again exposed its true colours, and such an organisation should be outrightly condemned and rejected by the general public." It further urged the public to disregard baseless allegations and appealed for unity against unwarranted claims that could harm communal harmony.
In another press release, 46 individuals representing WATSAN from various villages under PHED, Rural Division in Niuland & Chümoukedima condemned what they termed as "unfounded claims and allegations" against PHED over the implementation of JJM in Nagaland. They asserted that all civil works under JJM are supervised and executed by the respective WATSAN committees in coordination with the department, and they are now awaiting the release of funds for the pending bills.
They further claimed that beneficiaries are "grateful for the successful implementation" of JJM in the state and expressed concern that an "unmandated organisation" is "fixated on tarnishing the image of PHED."
Should the concerned Union Ministry decide to withhold further releases, NTPRADAO will be held solely accountable, and all pending bills will have to be borne by them, the statement concluded. With works completed and schemes successfully implemented, the WATSAN committees will stand firm with PHED and denounce the allegations made by NTPRADAO.
