Shows concern over water scarcity
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: Expressing serious concern over failure of Jal Shakti Department in providing water supply in rural belt of his constituency, MLA Kupwara, Mir Saifullah alleged that Department has done nothing except corruption.
Through a Calling Attention Motion, MLA said five Panchayats in his constituency face acute water scarcity and don’t have Single drop of water to drink. He said pipes have been laid but they are not connected with the source. The Department launched new schemes and dismantled the old schemes which caused the problem, he added.
Terming Jal Shakti a big problem in itself, he said contract of pipes was given to a Delhi based resourceful contractor and pipes were brought and laid but people are suffering.
He, while contradicting the Minister’s statement urged him to ask his officers why they are giving wrong information and take action against them. He said this way officers are making position of Minister awkward. Mir urged the Minister to have at and on spot inspection of the area to ascertain facts.
In his reply Minister of Jal Shakti, Javed Rana said whatever member is saying is right. But the Jal Shakti is being punished for no fault of its own. He said Government is making all out efforts to solve the drinking water problems of the people by supplying portable water through tractors to the people.
He said under Jal Jeevan Mission the UT is not getting funds from Centre and issue has been taken up by him and CM with Union Government. Moreover, the House Committee appointed has been asked to submit the report within two months.
He said water is not flowing in pipes because scheme is not running as funds for the same have not been released. He expressed the hope that the funds will be released and in coming time everything will be set right.
Congress MLA, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat through his Calling Attention Motion turned attention of the House about non functional/failed on line portal of Municipal Committees to reply of which Minister of Education, Sakina Itoo said the Department has developed online portal for building permissions. The new portal is fully functional and it receives applications. She further said 11 applications were received by the Department which are under process.
However, member said that Housing and Urban Development Department has to finalise its own schemes. He said first portal turned non functional on December 1 in 2025 and alter Chief Secretary inaugurated new portal and that is also defunct. He said as portal has failed the Government should keep an alternative.
The Minister said that first portal became defunct due to some reasons and Minister’s concern is that new portal is also not working and why 11 applications on line were received and why not 300. She said there can be difficulties in the system. However the member’s concern will be examined.
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