49 schemes operational in Lolab, Machil: Rana
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 6: Minister of Jal Shakti and Forests, Javed Rana today said that the MLAs should make efforts to get money allotted to the districts utilised for water supply schemes instead of surrendering the same.
Reply to a question of MLA, Lolab, Qaysar Jamshaid Lone and supplementaries raised by MLA, Kupwara, Mir Saifullah and MLA Baramulla, Javed Ahmed Baig, the Minister said Rs 6.75 crore are lying with Kupwara district and let the MLAs get the same utilised for water supply schemes instead of surrendering the same. He urged the MLAs to monitor the utilisation of the funds themselves.
In response to a supplementary that have all the households in J&K been covered under Jal Jeevan Mission and if not by what time this mission will be completed.
The Minister said it is the PM’s scheme and he (PM) had made commitment about the same to nation to get it implemented by 2024 and since it is Centre sponsored scheme the UT Government is unable to give any assurance on the same.
Rana said Jal Jeevan Mission should have been completed by 2024 as per the time frame and time will only tell to what extent the GoI has achieved success in this regard.
As the Minister was replying supplementary after supplementary some members stood up saying that this way whole question hour will pass only in one question. MLA Kishtwar, Shagun Parihar also stood up and raised a question regarding water supply scheme in her constituency.
However Speaker, A R Rather while turning to her said that the question pertains to Kupwara district only and supplimentries regarding that district can only be raised and replied.
Earlier MLA Lolab said that the residents of Lolab Valley and Machil areas are facing scarcity of potable water from last two years owing to deficient snow fall/ rains. He wanted to know what, steps Government has taken for mitigation of potable water scarcity there?
The Minister said there are 49 operational water supply schemes catering the water requirements of 50 villages in Lolab and Machil area. These schemes are regularly maintained and continue to meet the drinking water needs of ‘the population. However, certain villages/areas of Lolab and Machil-namely like Lalpora, Khan Bhutto, Dar Mohalla, Putsai (partly), Sogam (partly), Bat Gagal, Cheepora, Tekipora, Saiwan, Chonliwari Payeen, Machil main (partly)-experience drinking water shortages during dry spells due to reduced precipitation over recent years, resulting in low discharge in existing sources. To address this, under various ongoing programmes during the last three years, 16 new borewell/ dugwell sources and 17 new spring/nallah sources have been established, while four sources are under process covering 22 new water supply schemes under JJM and the remaining are at different stages of execution. Upon completion, these schemes the issue will be solved, he added.
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