Suhail Bhat
KOKERNAG: Kokernag constituency in South Kashmir is known for freshwater springs and its scenic beauty attracts thousands of tourists every year. However, little has been done to improve the availability of basic amenities for its residents as they continue to face multiple problems.
The constituency belongs to the Anantnag Parliamentary constituency and was represented by People’s Democratic Party leader, Abdul Rahim Rather. In 2014, he defeated two time Congress MLA, Peerzada Mohammad Sayed with 515 votes. Rather polled 2428 votes, while Peerzada got 1913.
The constituency is predominantly rural and its residents are facing multiple problems including broken roads, the dearth of potable water, and inadequate health and education facilities. In addition, ineffective disposal domestic and commercial waste has caused strong resentment among the residents.
The residents said there is no major development in the area as they were ignored after elections. “Several projects were taken up but could not be completed,” Manzoor Ahmad, a resident of Hillar told Excelsior.
The facilities of health and education are in demand among the people and the provision of these facilities tops people’s list of priorities.
Despite having a number of freshwater springs, the constituency is marred by safe portable water. The residents said that the Public Health and Engineering department lifts water from the springs and distributes it without any treatment. “The authorities supply the water without any filtration which has resulted in the spread of several waterborne diseases in the area,” Tawseef Ahmad, a resident told Excelsior. The issue of setting of filtration plants was taken up with the former MLA but he couldn’t help.
Majority of the people here are dependent on Agriculture and Apple is the mainstay of the economy. However, the residents said no focus was given on quality and quantity of the crop.
Besides these problems, lack of awareness and guidance on high yielding apple varieties and excessive use of pesticides or insecticides is also a major issue in the constituency. Several orchardists’ complained that nonstop use of pesticides has deteriorated the quality of the crop. “The officials never visit the orchids nor do they carry any inspection. They only recommend the pesticides and encourage its use. As the time is near when there will be no takers for our crop,” Manzoor Ahmad, said, adding the concept of organic farming has not been introduced in the area. We took up the matter with the former MLA but to no avail.
Ineffective disposal waste disposal makes the whole constituency, particularly, the Kokernag Town, the commercial hub, look dirty. The unattended garbage can be seen lying near the springs and busy squares.
The business community of Kokernag town alleged that political interference has left a shopping complex in ruins and Kokernag Development Authority could not initiate the process of auction. “In order to benefit the political workers, the process has been stalled. The shopping complex is unused and money spent on it has been wasted,” a shopkeeper said.
At Sangam village, a semi-circular board mounted on a rusted iron pillars read welcome to the “Model Village”. Upon visiting the village, a defunct street lighting, mismanaged drainage system and shabby lanes are the only facilities that the residents received.
“Like other villages of the constituency, we too have poor roads, muddy lanes and bylanes. Majority of the street lights that were installed here are defunct,” Bashir Ahmad, a resident said.
The main road that runs through the constituency has been macadamized, but many interior localities lack proper connectivity. A huge chunk of the population that lives in the upper reaches of the region lacks all-weather connectivity. Incomplete bridges like Pooru and Bidhar affects the connectivity of several villages. These villages have to take a detour to reach the main town for healthcare and to buy basic amenities.
The road connectivity to several villages including Pahlipora, Mulmarg, Dravay, Malizowran and Daksum are in dilapidated state. Besides, a major road from Larnoo- Dravay is also worn out. The former MLA had been time and again apprised about the problems of road connectivity but to no avail.
The education sector is also facing several challenges with a majority of the schools grappling with inadequate staff and poor infrastructure. “Some schools are operating from the shabby building. At some schools the students are forced to defecate in open due to lack of washrooms,” Abdul Majeed, a local said.
Students at Larnoo Degree College complained that lack of infrastructure is taking a toll on their studies. The college operates from a rented building and the makeshift classrooms are in poor shape. Besides, only Arts subjects are taught at the college, forcing the students of other streams to travel Khanabal Degree College. “Another college of the constituency at Irkumoo also lacks proper infrastructure”, the students said.
Erratic power cuts are worrying the residents of several villages including Dues, Duksum, Larnoo, Batpora, Kher, Shatro, Qasbinabo, Kherpora, Lisser and Matihando.
With the constituency having over one lakh population, healthcare facilities is in shambles.
The sub-district hospital, that receives around 500 patients in OPD every day, has a dearth of staff. The primary health centers are also understaffed causing inconvenience to people who visit it for treatment. Although the constituency has more than 20 sub-health centers in different villages, majority of the health centers face staff shortage. At Wandham, resident said the PHC in their village is dysfunctional and inhabitants are forced to take patients to the sub-district hospital even for First Aid.
The former legislator was told about these problems in health sector of the constituency but nothing improved.
Residents alleged the benefits of the schemes for poor like MGNREGA and IAY were being reaped by former MLA’s close workers. “Works that are to be done under MGNREGA were allotted to the former MLA’s workers, and the developmental works are being done in their areas which vote for him. Others were neglected,” alleged the residents.
The Takiya- Magam, and Sonbari villages were gripped by deadly Hepatitis- C infection few years back and not a single screening camp was set up last year and a single Sub Center has been provided to the inhabitants in the name of healthcare facilities. “For the last one year, not a single awareness camp has been conducted here. Healthcare facilities are dismal here”, residents said.
The former MLA, Abdul Rahim Rather, said that his major achievement was providing ration cards to almost every household of the constituency, benefitting locals through MGNREGA, approval of Vaylu- Singpora tunnel and the opening of South Kashmir of SKAUST.
He said he had initiated the construction of roads that were pending for last 30 years. “We have done work on all sectors such as PMGSY, R&B, and agriculture and received appreciation as well,” he said adding that upgradation and construction of all the major roads in the constituency.
On the deficiency of electricity, the former MLA said apart from a 100 megawatts Hydroelectricity Project, three small power projects are under construction in the constituency. “Nearly 300 transformers including the upgrading of old and installing new transformers were added to improve the electricity. Two new receiving stations are being set up in the constituency, he said.
On the issue of drinking water Rather said that funds have been made available for the Regional water supply scheme. “The construction work was stalled due to the shortage of funds but funds are now available for it under NABARD,” he said, adding a new water supply scheme for the Kokernag Town is in pipeline. In addition, eight new major schemes and 6-7 small schemes have also been approved. In order to tap the water of Kokernag Spring, he said, a major reservoir is coming up.
In the Health sector, he said, the Larnoo area of the constituency has been covered under Ayush Bharat Mission wherein the beneficiaries can avail free treatment in the leading hospital of the country. Besides, 4-5 new health centers have also been created and construction is underway.
On education, he said that the Degree College Kokernag which was incomplete for the last eight years was completed in three months. “The deficiency of teachers has been also dealt with to a greater extent, he said.
He said almost all the Hepatitis C patients were treated free. “Testing was also done free. Several NGOs were roped in for the screening and awareness,” he said.
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