Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Baramulla Javid Hassan Baig Monday launched a sharp attack on the functioning of the Jal Shakti Department, questioning the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in J&K saying the government must find a way to “give the dead body a new life”.
During a joint review meeting called by MLA Baramulla and MLA Uri Dr Sajad Shafi, Javid Hassan Baig urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ascertain what had happened to the scheme in Jammu and Kashmir over the past six years.
“Has the slogan of Har Ghar Jal reached every house hold,? Baig asked.
MLA Baramulla urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and find a solution to the problems plaguing the implementation of the scheme.
“If the Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes to know what has happened to JJM in J&K over the last six years, heads will roll here,” MLA Baramulla said.
Taking a dig at the much-publicised ‘Har Ghar Jal’ objective, he said the slogan was yet to translate into access to drinking water for every household.
He said merely holding meetings and constituting committees would not resolve the issue.
“We have to find a way to save its life,” he said
He urged the administration to revive the scheme and ensure that its benefits reach people on the ground.
MLA Baramulla also questioned the preparedness of officials attending review meetings, alleging that several officers were unable to provide basic information about ongoing works and projects in their respective areas.
“What is the fun of holding such a meeting when you don’t know anything?” he asked the officials.
He directed the officials to come prepared for the next review meeting.
The MLA said he could identify the status of development works in villages across his constituency and challenged officials to provide details of projects of their respective departments under their jurisdiction.
MLA Baramulla Javid Hassan Baig expressed strong displeasure over what he termed as lack of preparedness and said officers should not attend review meetings without having complete information about the works being executed in their areas.
He also raised questions over the functioning of the department, promotions and accountability of officials.
“Incompetent officers are being rewarded while basic issues remained unresolved,” he said.
The MLA further questioned delays in water-related works, including tenders and execution of projects, and sought greater accountability from officials and contractors.
“The administration must ensure that contractors entrusted with water supply works actually deliver on the projects for which tenders have been issued,” he said.
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