Shadow Correspondent
JAMMU, June 09:
A significant protest was staged today against the scarcity of drinking water supply at Panchayat Chowadi in the Jammu South-R S Pura constituency.
Led by Ved Sharma, Co-Incharge of BJP All Cells, JKUT, the people of Panchayat Chowadi including several community members namely Balram, Biraj, Jyoti, Asha, Madhu, and Indu Bala joined the protest and raised slogans against the Jal Shakti Department for its failure to provide regular drinking water supply.
Speaking to media persons, Ved Sharma criticized the Jal Shakti Department for its failure to provide drinking water supply to the people of Panchayat Chowadi. He highlighted the ongoing issue of two tubewells under construction at Delni Kashana and Noora Colony. Despite being ready for use, these tubewells are non-functional due to a communication gap between the PHE work, mechanical, and PDD divisions. “Due to internal mismanagement, the people of Panchayat Chowadi are suffering severely,” he stated.
Ved Sharma expressed his resentment against the bureaucratic delays, saying that he has approached the Chief Engineer PHE, XEN PHE Rural, and SE multiple times over the past eight months regarding the water shortage, but to no avail.
“During the winter season, three tankers were provided for water supply, but in summer, two tankers have been removed. This forces people to purchase their own water tankers as till date nearly 40 to 50 tankers were bought privately by the people of Panchayat Chowadi,” he said.
Ved Sharma asserted that inordinate delay in activating the new tubewells are the primary reasons behind the ongoing water crisis. To address this issue locally, he visited three Mohallas of Panchyat Chowadi and nominated a committee of four to five members, including one female, to observe, inform, and manage the water supply situation.
The senior BJP leader Ved Sharma announced that he would personally provide free water tankers to those in need if the department fails to resume regular supply. He also made a direct appeal to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Secretary of J&K to intervene, initiate an inquiry, and ensure a consistent water supply for the residents.
