Nagaland PHED minister Jacob rejects allegations of JJM scam, promises inquiry

DIMAPUR — Following allegations of fiscal misappropriation to the tune of INR 1,712 crore under Jal Jeevan Mission in Nagaland, Minister for PHED Jacob Zhimomi on Sunday rejected the claims as baseless and assured to form an inquiry committee headed by the principal secretary to submit a report to the government.

Speaking to Hornbill TV, the BJP minister expressed hope that there was no ulterior motive to tarnish his image “because work has been done on ground”.

On October 19, the Nagaland Transparency, Public Rights Advocacy & Direct Action Organisation (NTPRAPAO) issued a press release claiming to have uncovered an INR 1712.03 crore scam in Nagaland under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). It gave the state government 30 days to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the alleged financial scam.

According to the organisation, failure on the part of Nagaland government will prove to be “catastrophic”, prompting the NTPRAPAO to go for “mass agitation and public protest” until the PHED minister Jacob Zhimomi tenders resignation.

However, the minister maintained that the department has not even received the full amount of funds from the Centre.

In his interview to the TV channel, Jacob insisted that JJM implementation in Nagaland was a success story and the department has achieved 92% coverage so far. He said that the department uses third party verification as mandated by Union Ministry’s guidelines.

He clarified that the tap water connection under JJM is meant only for rural areas, and not the urban sector. Due to difficult terrains in some villages, the department has opted for a cluster programme where three or four households share a collective point to fetch their water from, he added.

On the issue of delivering tap connections without water supply, he clarified that the first phase of the mission is to give pipe water facility to every household. He however acknowledged that many villages in the state do not have access to ‘bulk water, which is a genuine issue’.

That’s why there is no water supply to some households even though the pipes have been laid, he said. This ‘very pertinent’ issue will be taken up in the second phase, he added. 

Citing the use of ISI-certified products, third-party inspection of the work and the involvement of water and sanitation committees with civil participation of the villages, Jacob refuted the allegations of fund misuse by department officials.

He further clarified that grants meant for water supply and sanitation under the 15th Finance Commission are not implemented by PHED but by the Rural Development Department.

When asked about the alleged involvement of some former and current PHED officers in misappropriation of funds, Jacob responded that he has complete faith and confidence in the department and its personnel.

Also read: Nagaland organisation alleges INR 1,712 crore scam in Jal Jeevan Mission, demands SIT probe