IT Correspondent
Ukhrul, Feb 13:
The Sihai Khullen Public Council has strongly criticized the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in their village, calling it a “farce” with false completion claims and no actual water supply. At a press conference held at Liklaa Restaurant, Wino-Bazaar, on Wednesday, Vice Chairman Rungrei Shimrah and Secretary Hopkinson Khangrah, along with village elders, accused the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) of misleading both the government and the public.
According to the council, despite work starting in 2020 under the scheme launched in 2018, the promised tap water connections remain nonexistent. They revealed that the PHED has declared the project completed, yet no functional infrastructure exists in the village. The leaders also pointed out that a key component of the scheme—a main reservoir—was never constructed at the designated site, Wingo-Rashi, an all-season riverbed. Instead, officials allegedly shifted the water source to Shangaira Rakhong, an impractical location incapable of supplying water to the village due to its lower elevation.
Four smaller water tanks were built under the scheme, but without a functioning main reservoir, they remain dry. The so-called “main tank” was already leaking before it could serve its purpose. Instead of ensuring proper water supply, officials reportedly distributed household water taps—an act the council termed as an insult to the villagers who continue to suffer from water scarcity.
Frustrated by the inaction, Sihai Khullen residents have repeatedly petitioned the Executive Engineer (EE) of PHED, Ukhrul, requesting the immediate completion of the project. However, their appeals were met with indifference. The EE allegedly insisted that the project was completed, despite clear evidence to the contrary. In response, the village held a general assembly on January 15, where they unanimously decided to escalate the issue to higher authorities and consider legal action. They also sought media intervention to expose the situation.
Secretary Hopkinson Khangrah emphasized that not a single household in Sihai Khullen has received tap water under the JJM. “This is a gross misrepresentation and deeply misleading,” he stated, questioning how a project with no functional water supply could be declared complete.
The council has now urged authorities to take immediate corrective action and ensure the scheme is properly implemented in line with its original objectives.
The controversy surrounding the JJM in Sihai Khullen raises concerns about transparency and accountability in rural infrastructure projects. While the mission aims to provide clean drinking water to every rural household, its effectiveness depends on honest execution and strict monitoring. The case of Sihai Khullen underscores a broader issue of governance, where false completion reports and neglected grievances undermine public trust.
The villagers of Sihai Khullen are not just demanding water; they are demanding accountability. They urge the government to act swiftly, rectify the discrepancies, and ensure that rural communities are not deprived of their rightful benefits.
