Public Health Engineering (PHE) department has dismissed as “unfounded and baseless” the allegations made by Peren District Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (PDVCO) Jalukie valley in-charge of gross irregularities in the implementation of Centre’s flagship Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Peren district.
SDO PHE Jalukie Er. Levi Anar stated that one RTI applicant Hiacheulak Hegui, had submitted an application to PIO of PHED Peren division in his personal capacity and not on behalf of PDVCO. On August 23, SDO claimed that the applicant came to the SDO(PHE) offfice, Jalukie to collect the RTI replies “in an intoxicated condition”. SDO said the applicant “created undesirable situations” while scrutinizing the replies without any coherence and levelled allegations against the department, which it described was “unbecoming of an RTI activist”.
SDO said works implemented under JJM were verified by third parties for compliance to the approved designs and specifications for release of payments as and when funds were made available. Further, SDO said completion certificates are issued by the village water & sanitation (WATSAN) committees upon satisfactory completion of the works. SDO said the department was working with all dedication to attain the desired objectives of JJM within the prescribed period under difficult working conditions with full cooperation and support of the village communities.
Cautioning the applicant against misuse of RTI Act, SDO said grievances, if any, should be addressed and discussed with the concerned officers in a sane manner instead of publishing unfounded and baseless allegations defaming the department which could invite appropriate legal actions.