Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, June 23: Former Legislator and senior Congress leader Ashok Sharma today threatened strong protest dharnas from June 26 if the authorities fail to restore water in irrigation channels in Rajouri and Poonch.
Addressing a series of meetings with farmers and youth in Rajouri and Doongi blocks during his three-day tour of the area, he expressed serious concern over non-restoration of water in irrigation channels of village Dalogra, Kaller, Androla, Chakli, Samkar, Kalar, Narian, Dalogra, keri Chabber, Bal Jarlian, Paltha, Sewa, Khersuin and number of other villages.
Ashok Sharma said that minor repair work is needed for restoration of water in these channels but the department was not taking initiatives in this regard. He urged the Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed and the Minister for Irrigation Choudhary Sukhnandan for ensuring restoration of water in the irrigation channels so that ensuing crop of paddy and vegetables may be irrigated.
The Congress leader visited the house of Anil Kumar, who suffered severe burn injuries due to fire incident in Basanter Bottle Net factory and expressed shock over plight of the victim who has not been provided wages by the factory owner.
While visiting the site of Chakli Bridge and Mohra Salitariat bridge, Ashok Sharma sought personal intervention of R&B Minister for early completion of the construction work, which has been pending since years and thus causing loss to public exchequer.
At village Dhanwa, locals alleged that despite availability of pipes, PHE authorities were not laying the same and thus depriving more than two down SC/ST families of Mohra Barian of drinking water supply.
The Congress leader demanded a CBI probe in alleged fraud in payment of compensation to farmers, whose land came under road and irrigation channels.
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