The story of conservation of traditional water bodies like ponds and check dams in Jammu, particularly in the dry kandi area, is sordid and disgusting. Though money has been made available for restoring traditional water bodies yet there seems no seriousness in concerned circles in the administration to perform their duty in time. A question was raised by a member in the Legislative Council asking the Government to reflect on the development of water bodies and water conservation projects in Jammu. Government’s response was partly clear partly ambiguous leaving much to guess work. More than eight years ago, various schemes of developing traditional water bodies especially the ponds were seen through for development and adequate funds were provided for the same. It was widespread project taking the dry areas of Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts into consideration. Rural Development Department claimed to have spent Rs 17 crore on the development of 1053 traditional ponds in Jammu region. However, on verification on the ground and according to information supplied by some local activists it seems that what is claimed to have been done is at the most a cosmetic exercise. Three important check dams sanctioned by Government during 2007-08 and undertaken by Irrigation and Flood Control Department in Kandi belt of Jammu division, are still incomplete. Take an example — Check Dam Wajoo Nallah had an estimated cost of Rs 25.85 crore under Accelerated Irrigational Benefit Project (AIBP) during 2007-08. An amount of Rs 20.56 crore stands released and utilized. However, the work is still in progress at the dam and has not been completed as yet. Another example is of Check Dam on Basantar River at Taloor village in district Samba. The Government said the work on this project with the cost of Rs 14.75 crore was also started during 2008 under AIBP scheme. An amount of Rs 13.27 crore has been spent on this project but the work was still incomplete. These are only two examples while same is the case with more check dam projects like dam on river Tarnah at Pacca Kotha near Dinga Amb in district Kathua with the cost of Rs 14.37 crore out of which Rs 11.64 crore were released and utilized on the project ending March, 2016 but the work was still incomplete. Surprising thing about these projects is that these were supposed to be completed within 24 months. Several years have gone by and the completion of these projects is still a distant cry. 90 per cent of the money has been drawn and spent and still the works are in the process of completion. Interestingly another large barrage (Artificial water body) is being developed on river Tawi at Jammu with the cost of Rs 69.70 crore. Rs 57.35 core have been spent so far on the project but it is also incomplete. The work was launched on this project during July 2010. Rs 84 lakh more were spent during 2016-17 but it is unlikely to be completed by the end of March this year.
The Government said that in Jammu division a total 1053 traditional ponds were developed/ upgraded by the Rural Development Department and funds to the tune of Rs 16.71 crore were spent on them during last two years. The breakup of the funds expended was also provided. However, the questions that need to be answered are whether these ponds have really been brought to completion and whether these are functional.
In an overall estimation, the long delay of eight years in constructing check dams has caused much damage and disappointment to the people concerned. Unfortunately, the functionaries at the helm of affairs are insensitive towards the suffering of the people. And these are kandi meaning dry areas with acute scarcity of water even for drinking not to speak of irrigation.These projects have jumped time line twice and still after the delay of eight years their full functioning is still somewhat doubtful. While regretting abject carelessness and insensitivity of the functionaries, we exhort the Minister concerned to take personal interest in seeing that these projects are finally completed and made functional without further loss of time.
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