Shadow Correspondent
udhampur, July 25:
Peeved over the govt for turning averse to matters of public importance especially the Deptt of Jal Shakti in particular, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh Chairman JKNPP and former Minister said the resultant hardships faced by the common masses had remained unabated thus ridiculing the BJP’s tall claims of ‘Achey Din’ and ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’. He said people in the rural areas and the hinterland have been deprived of potable water which is the necessity of life. He divulged that while the people are yearning for water supply in the far flung areas, the administration has bizarrely turned apathetic and callous towards the shrill cries of the rural dwellers. “Right to water has been protected as a fundamental human right by the Indian Supreme Court as part of the ‘Right to life’ guaranteed under Art 21 of the Indian constitution. Not only the Supreme Court and High Courts but the WHO and UN General Assembly have all emphasized repeatedly that everyone has Right to sufficient, continuous, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use. And not only should the water be physically and economically accessible but it should be clean, free from impurities and contaminations”, Harsh reminded the def administration while addressing the public meetings at various villages of Ramnagar and Chenani tehsils.
Addressing the people, he said that Jal Shakti Deptt deptt has failed not only to fulfil their constitutional obligations and the directions given by the Supreme Court but its officers are also guilty of criminal negligence and evasion/non-performance of their duties as public servants. While the people are suffering hard due to non-provision of adequate water supply during scorching summers in majority of villages of Ramnagar and Chenani constituency, there are several habitations which have been completely deprived of water supply leaving them at the mercy of God. “It has not only resulted in worst nightmares for the affected people but has caused serious health problems for the community. It’s a sheer irony that people are forced to buy water in some villages for their daily needs. Woes have not ended here, as several residents of the hinterland have now become dependent on the monsoons. They are compelled to collect rainwater in the earthen pots to quench their thirst and meet other requirements in a heart wrenching situation. Is this a ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ for which the Saffron Party persistently cock- a- hoop?, Harsh took a jibe at the BJP.
Expressing anguish over the sorry state of affairs running in rural belt, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh further regretted that not only the scarcity of drinking water in majority of villages but the supply of contaminated water in other villages is often reported to have caused serious health problems like cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery and Hepatitis-A. Referring to the reports of huge irregularities and bungling committed in the execution of various water supply schemes in district Udhampur, he said that while huge funds have been shown to be expended on water supply schemes, there is hardly any visible impact on the ground. The frauds of huge magnitude committed by Jal Shakti Deptt officers in collusion with some corrupt and notorious elements have come to fore which need to be thoroughly investigated. The culprits should be brought to book”, said Harsh.
He rued that resentment amongst the general masses and local people is growing with every passing day which could trigger law and order problems in the days to come. “The issue therefore needs due cognizance of authorities before it’s too late. Panthers shall not relent until the people are bailed out from the prevailing water crisis. We will make the administration accountable and answerable for people’s grievances at all costs”, Harsh roared.
