Oppn corners PHE Minister over delay in completion of schemes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 7: Opposition MLAs today cornered Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary over inordinate delay in completion of Water Supply Schemes in their respective constituencies.
“The water supply schemes under NABARD were last taken up in Udhampur constituency in 2007-08 and thereafter no scheme was cleared under NABARD”, Udhampur MLA Pawan Gupta said while raising supplementary question in the Legislative Assembly.
“This is notwithstanding the fact that there is a shortfall of 2.98 Lakh Gallon Per Day water in Udhampur town”, the MLA said, adding “though the Water Supply Schemes of Jaganoo and Billan Bowli have been financially completed yet people have not received any respite from the water scarcity”.
Referring to Jal Kranti Scheme of the Government of India, Pawan Gupta said, “neither there is Jal nor Kranti and Government has failed to provide benefit of this scheme to the people”.
Joining the issue, Congress MLA from Banihal Vikar Rasool said, “due to slow funding the ongoing schemes are not likely to be completed within next 50 years”.
Another Congress MLA Ghulam Mohammad Saroori too alleged discrimination with his constituency and said, “no water supply scheme has been sanctioned for Inderwal constituency under NABARD and LIC funding”.
National Conference MLA Mian Altaf said that lack of funds should not be allowed to create hurdles in the completion of ongoing schemes. “At least those schemes which can be completed by sanctioning small amount should be given priority by the Government”, he added.
While replying to the queries of the MLAs, the PHE Minister said, “we are hopeful of increase in funding under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) and issues of the MLAs will be taken care of”.
However, MLAs expressed dis-satisfaction over the reply of the Minister.

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