Reacting to the claims made by Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Committees from 20 villages under PHED Dimapur Urban Division regarding the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects,
Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy & Direct Action Organisation (NTPRADAO) reiterated its demand for an Special Investigation Team or Departmental Inquiry Commission to probe into the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 1649.35 crore JMM scam”.
NTPRADAO also declared its readiness to launch mass protests and agitations to press for its demands
NTPRADAO also dismissed the warning by WATSAN Committees that if the Jal Shakti Ministry withheld remaining JJM funds due to allegations of misappropriation, NTPRADAO would be held responsible, and any pending bills would have to be borne by the organization.
Describing it as “illegal, illogical, and nonsensical,” it said that such assertions would not stand up to scrutiny, even in the Supreme Court. The organization further urged PHED to honor the commitment made by the minister in a televised interview on October 20, regarding the formation of an SIT/DIC.
Highlighting its advocacy for the rights of over 1,400 villages in Nagaland, NTPRADAO said it would not be deterred by what few WATSAN Committees members had said. Rather, the organization said that the situation was headed to worst case scenario.
NTPRADAO said it was also amused by the claim made by WATSAN committee that all civil works under JJM were being supervised and successfully implemented by respective village WATSAN committees, and were now awaiting release of the pending bills for the works already completed.