STATE TIMES NEWS Jammu: Former Minister J&K and Senior Congress leader Yogesh Sawhney, on Tuesday, along with a team of Congress leaders, met Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti Department (JSD) to discuss current scenario of water shortage across Jammu city. He appealed to the officials to address deepening water crisis issue on an urgent basis as people have been suffering due to water shortage for last one month. He said that there is an acute shortage of water in certain areas and people sought mitigation of water scarcity from PHE officials. Some areas haven’t had water supply for days, which is causing a lot of problems, he said. Sawhney was accompanied by senior Congress leaders including Vice President DCC Dr Ramakanth Khajuria, Sanjeev Sharma, Uttam Singh, Chander Sheikhar Sharma, Atul Sharma and Ram Magotra. The delegation apprised the JSD officials of issues troubling people in Talab Tillo. The officials assured that all mechanical repairs and replacements in the area will be undertaken on same day and problem will be. Furthermore, they also discussed water connection issues in expanding areas of Bantalab where new colonies and residential areas are being set up but people are facing many challenges in getting water connections. The officials assured the delegation that they will look into the matter and come up with remedial measures to resolve the issue. Speaking on the issue, Sawhney said that water is a basic necessity and people shouldn’t have to buy clean water at heavy costs to survive. It is government’s duty to provide that. Shortage of drinking water is a matter of grave concern. People cannot live without water, but is sorry to say that Govt failed to provide basic amenities like water to people, he asserted. “Government has failed to provide basic amenities to people. What more could this government take away from people of Jammu? We are facing an acute water crisis with soaring costs to public health because of pollution and water-borne diseases also. It is high time the government starts paying attention,” said Sawhney, urging people to be vigilant and responsible about utilisation of water.
