DIMAPUR — Seventeen Water and Sanitation
(WATSAN) committees from different villages under PHED Dimapur Urban Division
have taken umbrage at the allegations levelled against the PHE department by
the Nagaland Transparency Public Rights Advocacy and Direct Action Organisation
(NTPRADAO), specifically in relation to the implementation of Jal Jeevan
Mission (JJM) scheme in Nagaland.
In a press release issued on Monday, the committees stated
that all civil works under JJM scheme were being supervised and successfully
implemented by the respective village WATSAN committees “and are now awaiting
the release of the pending bills for the works completed.”
“Be it known that, should the concerned ministry hold funds
of the remaining amount due to be paid to the WATSAN committees, the so-called
NTPRADAO will be held responsible, and all pending bills will have to be borne
by them.
“Since the WATSAN committee had executed and completed the
works, under no circumstances will we remain idle and allow the unmandated
organisation to victimise the WATSAN committees and tarnish the image of PHE
department,” it stated.
Meanwhile, the “founding members” of NTPRADAO — Keduta
Chakhesang, Phemching Konyak, Zuchamo Patton, Temjen Mar, Albert Kire, and
Ikato Sumi —have distanced themselves and the organisation away from
allegations against PHED.
In a joint statement, they claimed that the NTPRADAO has
“turned into a corruption organisation led by Bill Lotha, using our names and
tarnishing our image.”
“In fact, the said organisation never convened a formal
meeting or consultation among the executive members. And the founding members
are not aware about any press release and the current JJM scheme under PHE
which the department has clearly justified the detailed implementation of JJM
scheme on dated 9.11.2024.
“Therefore, we, the founding members, will not support such
an unfit leader, and it will soon proceed for govt. registration and strengthen
the organisation as per the central idea of the organisation,” the statement
read.
