Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: Even after spending Rs 2.5 crores on a water supply scheme under Jal Jeevan Abhiyan/Mission in Ghagwal block of district Samba, the population of Panchayat Tapyal and Gurha Jattan has remained without water supply till date.
The villagers from Gurha Jattan and Tapyal told Excelsior that a water supply scheme worth Rs 2.5 crore was sanctioned for the village during 2017. After completion of all the requisite formalities, the department of Jal Shakti started drilling work and did 800 ft deep drilling and laid pipes. During this period, two reservoirs were also constructed for the purpose and required machinery was also installed.
Another villager, Sham Singh Jasrotia said that after working for 2-3 years the work on the project was suspended by the PHE/ Jal Shakti Department. The officers concerned were approached by the village Panchayat members but they did not initially told the truth. Later, some of them disclosed that water was not available at the source after drilling.
Jasrotia said if the water was not available at the site then why reservoirs were constructed, machinery installed and pipes worth crores laid at the village. The officials of concerned agency engaged for survey should have been made accountable and booked for the lapse. The public money worth over Rs 2.5 cr was wasted and not even a single drop of water could be provided to the villagers of Tapyal in Ghagwal till today. No alternative arrangements were made for the public suffering since long and the district administration also remained unmoved.
He said the villagers are demanding water supply since the period of Prof Chaman Lal Gupta (MP) but despite tall claims of the government having spent massive funds under Jal Jeevan Mission, Gurha Jattan and Tapyal have remained without water supply. The villagers have demanded high level inquiry and action against the concerned PHE/ Jal Shakti Deptt officials.
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