Govt urged to find out ways for making projects functional
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Feb 13: Cutting across party lines, several MLAs today raised their serious concern over no supply of drinking water in areas of their respective constituencies because of incomplete water supply projects under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme in Jammu and Kashmir.
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While participating in discussion on Demand for Grants of Javed Ahmad Rana, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, MLAs urged the Government to find out solution and manage funds for completion of these water supply projects ensuring relief to the people.
BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia said that even after spending Rs 8000-9000 crores under Jal Jeevan Mission, people were still deprived of the safe drinking water in Jammu and Kashmir thus failing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for `Har Ghar Jal’ (drinking water to each household).
“Instead of shifting blame and waiting for outcome of the House Committee report with the hope of more funds from Government of India, we should come together and find out way forward on our own for ensuring early completion of the schemes,” he said.
MLA Darhal, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan also urged the Minister to explore alternate ways for allotment of funds to ensure completion of JJM Schemes. He alleged that despite no supply of water through the pipes laid down under incomplete JJM scheme, PHE officials were forcing people to pay water charges with the plea that the department would stop their salary if water bills are not get cleared.
MLA Chenani, Balwant Singh Mankotia alleged that JJM Schemes in Jammu and Kashmir have been implemented on papers only. He accused the PHE Department of projecting misleading figures in the Economic Survey Report , according to which, 80 percent water supply schemes have been completed and only 19 percent are pending because of funding issue.
National Conference (NC) MLA from Baramulla, Javed Hassan Baig said that JJM was a commitment of Prime Minister in Parliament who had announced Har Ghar Nal and Har Ghar Jal for which the Government has given funding in bulk under this scheme.
“And now it is our right to know what happened to this scheme… The Minister should tell the facts about the scheme… You should do the survey what happened to the scheme which got bulk funding”, he added and stressed that the Government should find solution to the problem.
NC MLA from Chadoora, Ali Mohd Dar alleged that irrigation projects in his constituency were lying defunct. He demanded carrying out necessary works to make these projects fully functional, establishment of an Irrigation Division in Chadoora and ensure supply of safe drinking water to people in his constituency.
MLA Devsar, Peerzada Feroz Ahmamd alleged supply of unsafe and polluted drinking water in several areas of his constituency and demanded release of funds for completion of PHE and Irrigation schemes. He also demanded regularization of Rehbar-e-Janglat and Sub-Division status to Devsar.
Congress MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat said that 26 habitations in his constituency were without drinking water supply. He also highlighted the issue of Forest clearance for projects and court cases, pay anomaly between Forest Guards and Forest Protection Force personnel and creating balance between forest conservation and social needs.
People’s Conference MLA , Sajjad Lone alleged non-implementation of Forest Rights Act in Jammu and Kashmir highlighting that the application rejection rate in the Union Territory was second highest in the country and almost double than the national average. He also drew attention towards pending of several developmental projects because of non-issuance of NOC by the Forest Department.
MLA Rajpora, Ghulam Mohi Uddin alleged that 80 percent filtration plants in Pulwama district were defunct with the result people were being supplied polluted water. He also accused the Government officials of implementing Forest Right Act in arbitrary manner.
NC MLA from Gurez, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi while highlighting problems faced by the people in his constituency due to lack of irrigation facilities, said many schemes have been launched in his constituency over the years but they are not functioning. He urged the Government that while identifying source of water for any scheme, the local people should be consulted.
He also alleged that unfiltered water is supplied to the people in his constituency and termed charging of water tariff on them illogical. “When Government fails to provide filtered water to people for what they are charging tariff”, he asked?
BJP MLA from Jammu South, Dr Narinder Singh Raina said that massive damage has been caused to the forests, environment and ecology in the region and there is urgent need to protect the same from further damage. He said that a policy should be framed in this regard. He stressed the need to lay more focus on the plantations and work for the survival of the plants grown ever season. He said instead of spending funds worth crores on water Supply Scheme the Govt must encourage water pumps where clean and sufficient water is easily available.
Congress MLA, Irfan Hafiz Lone from Wagoora while taking part in the discussion projected demands related to water scarcity in some of his villages. He said that there was urgent need to sanction new water supply schemes in these areas. Lone also referred to slow pace of work on some of the ongoing WSS and Irrigation and flood Control works in his constituency and demanded adequate funds for the same.
National Conference MLA from Anantnag (West), Abdul Majeed Bhat (Larmi) and Dr Shafi Ahmed Wani from Beerwah taking part in the discussion on grants raised the demands of their respective areas pertaining to water supply and saving environment.
Dr Shafi was highly critical on the insufficient measures being taken to protect environment and the forests. He stressed the need to device a policy for it.
Larmi said that the people who had given land to the Govt for setting up water tanks and dug / tube wells/ water stations be given jobs or compensation.
BJP MLA from Nagrota, Devyani Rana stressed for proper planning and execution of development works and close coordination between various departments and their wings. She alleged that due to lack of coordination between the Civil and Mechanical wings of the Jal Shakti/PHE department general public suffers. Rana further said that due to non-coordination between the Forest and PWD many road clearance permissions get delayed. She stressed the need for devising such a mechanism at the planning /DPR stage, so that unnecessary delays are avoided. Referring to JJM and other Water Supply Schemes, Rana stressed for proper implementation of these schemes on the ground level.
Independent MLA from Bani, Dr Rameshwar Singh said that Rolka, Banjal, Sadhota and several other areas of Bani are facing water shortage and the affective measures be taken to provide water to these areas. He said pipes were laid in Rolka area but water could not reach to the village due to faulty planning. He also demanded irrigation facilities to Rolka and some other areas area. The MLA further demanded that Duggan, Taggar, and Koti-Daule area of Bani Sub Division either be clubbed with Bani Forest Range or a separate Range be created under Basohli Forest Division.
CPI (M) MLA from Kulgam, M Y Tarigami, said he was surprised that the Budget document made no mention of climate change despite Jammu and Kashmir being highly vulnerable. Referring to recent cloudbursts, erratic weather patterns, excessive rainfall and floods, he said these incidents should serve as a wake-up call.
He informed the House that he had written to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seeking a separate budget allocation on climate change, adding that the issue also places a heavy financial burden on the exchequer due to associated relief and rehabilitation measures. He also sought restoration of forest land allegedly encroached upon by influential persons.
BJP MLA from Udhampur East, Ranbir Singh Pathania, expressed concern over alleged encroachment of 20,000 hectares of forest land and demanded a fixed timeline for retrieval. He claimed that 87 percent of Forest Rights Act claims are being rejected in the UT compared to the 36% national average and alleged arbitrary functioning by officials.
He also flagged frequent demarcations, rising Air Quality Index levels in Jammu and Srinagar, outsourcing of 24,000 jobs, non-achievement of Har Ghar Jal targets and the need for proper river channelization to prevent flood damage.
PDP MLA from Tral, Rafiq Naik, stressed better coordination between the political leadership and the executive for timely project execution and called for priority redressal of Forest Rights Act issues concerning Gujjar-Bakerwal communities and daily wagers.
NC MLA from Pahalgam, Altaf Ahmad Kuloo, appreciated the Jal Jeevan Mission but raised concern over pending contractor payments and sought funds for repairing worn-out tube wells. He demanded compensation and jobs for landowners who provided land for water supply schemes and alleged that demarcation drives were affecting private land.
NC MLA from Kokernag, Zafar Ali Khatana, and Independent MLA from Inderwal, Pyare Lal Sharma, sought urgent restoration works following flood damage.
NC MLA from Poonch, Ajaz Ahmed Jan, alleged delays in replies to legislators’ questions, raised concerns over promotions and transfers, and flagged environmental violations by crushers and hot mix plants in his constituency, demanding stricter regulation and proper identification of sites.
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