Tura: The Meghalaya Lokayukta has initiated an investigation against the alleged embezzlement of funds on the Nekikona and Bawilgre Water Supply Schemes (WSS) under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) following a complaint by the Garo Hills Youth Organization (GHYO).
The Lokayukta ordered a probe into the discrepancy between the completion status reported on the JJM portal and the actual progress on the ground.
The complaint alleged that the work progress was reported as almost complete with tap water connections provided to households in about 28 villages. However, the youth body claimed that
Led by its president, Nazmul Hashan, a complaint was filed on February 1 in the court of the Lokayukta against the WGH DC, EE of PHE–North Division and Chairman of JJM. The GHYO accused officials of misrepresenting project status.
However, ground reports have shown that hardly any water connections have been made to any of the 28 villages that are covered under the scheme.
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The PHE department had earlier stated that a clerical error may have been made due to which the JJM portal has reflected these as completed with water being provided to households.
The Lokayukta appointed an MPS officer to conduct a preliminary inquiry and mandated regular updates on the progress of the investigation. The complainant emphasised the need to hold those responsible accountable for the alleged embezzlement.
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