DIMAPUR, JUNE 5 (MExN): Minister for PHED, Tokheho Yepthomi today issued a statement to clarify the PHE Department’s position with regard to the water supply issue in Peren. The Minister, while acknowledging the grievances of the public of Peren Town over water scarcity, stated that people “also need to know and understand hurdles being faced by the department while rendering its services.”
He admitted that water supply to Peren town had outlived its life span for which the department has been engaging repair works. The department had restored water supply line to Peren town on May 20. In addition, the Minister informed that the department has also constructed three units of deep tube wells and distribution system connected to it is nearing completion. Assuring that the department is working to provide drinking water to existing water lines, the Minister informed that there are more than 52 villages and towns where water supply connection has outlived the 30 year design period and require overhauling.
He further informed that the annual state budgetary allocation to the department is “very inadequate” thereby preventing the PHED from taking up new schemes in all villages and towns. The Minister said that the department received an allocation of non plan fund of Rs 115 lakhs till 2014-15 which was enhanced to Rs 230 lakhs during 2016-16. This non plan fund is allocated to the department to meet all expenses of operation and maintenance of the state, whilst also meeting expenses of department buildings and other assets.
Despite financial constraints, the Minister stated that the department has been consistently making efforts to improve existing water supply to both rural and urban areas for uninterrupted water supply in “every possible way.” He clarified that the PHED is not responsible for lodging complaints or setting up investigation teams to resolve issues and disputes arising between different parties and appealed to the public of Old Peren to either resolve the issues within the conflicting parties or report the matter to the administration and police.
