Who is taking money for water pipe fitting: Ranjit questions minister Susindro

Imphal: Opposition MLA K. Ranjit Singh asked Water Resource minister L. Susindro Meitei, “Who is taking money for pipe fitting from main water pipe to each household?”

Ranjit said in some areas of Imphal a sum of around Rs 1,000 is taken as charge for fitting pipeline to each household, while in some areas of Sugnu Assembly constituency the charge is increased to Rs 4,150.

The MLA alleged the minister of giving wrong information in the House that “the government is providing tape water to the Imphal area 3 days a week”.

Raising the starred question during question hour of the ongoing 3rd session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Monday sought information from the minster whether Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has provided drinking tape water to 75 per cent of the state; if so on which criteria the water is providing to the public and do each household has to bear the charge of bringing pipeline to their residence under the mission.

Minister Susindro in reply, informed the House that the government has provided benefits of JJM to 75 per cent of the total Manipur population. Under certain guidelines of the JJM the water is provided to the public. The expenses of laying water pipeline to each household have to be bore by the government, he added.

Ranjit asked the minister if providing drinking tape water from 3 am to 6 am once a week is the guideline of JJM.

Clarifying the supplementary question, the Water Resource minister said he also heard that there are some village level committee and the said committee are reportedly taking the charge for maintenance of pipe fitting to reach each doorstep. For charging Rs 4,150 he asked the opposition to provide him the details of the area so that stringent action can be taken immediately, he added.

He said in Imphal area the government is providing drinking tape water 3 days a week but most of the households are using water pumps and due to the reason there is complaint of not getting drinking tape water. The government will take necessary steps so that each household can enjoy drinking tape water.

Opposition MLA urged the minister not to provide wrong information in the House that the government is providing drinking tape water 3 times a week.

Water resource minister failed to identify particular area of Imphal city that enjoys drinking tape water 3 days a week.