Warns Officials Of Strong Action If Issue Not Resolved Quickly
Srinagar: Taking strong note of water scarcity in several villages of Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Monday warned of strong action against the officials if the issue of providing clean and safe drinking water to the people is not resolved as quickly as possible
Chairing a meeting review the functioning of Jal Shakti Department here at Civil Secretariat, the LG on Monday passed important and strict directions to the department in order to improve water supply position in the Union Territory, an official spokesperson said.
The LG, he said, took note of water scarcity in several villages in J&K and directed the officials of Jal Shakti Department to take immediate measures and address the issue.
“No individual, no village should be deprived of drinking water. The water crisis issue must be dealt with the spirit of service because clean and safe water is a basic human need. Strong action will be taken against officials if they fail to resolve it as quickly as possible,” Sinha said, as per official spokesperson.
The LG, he said, also observed that the Jal Jeevan Mission is the top priority of the Government of India and UT Government, and resolute efforts need to be made on the part of the Government functionaries and other stakeholders to turn this dream into reality.
“We are targeting to provide piped water supply to every household. Work on war-footing to achieve the ambitious goal of 100% piped water (Har Ghar Nal se Jal) in J&K by August, 2022,” The LG directed the officials, as per the spokesperson.
He said that the discussion was also held for ensuring active involvement of Deputy Commissioners for complete implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in their respective districts.
Highlighting the need to make people-centric interventions for improving the water supply position in the UT, Sinha, he said, directed for preparing comprehensive strategies, besides involving stakeholders in the planning process of Water Supply Schemes and other projects to create a sense of belongingness amongst them for a better outcome.
“Explore all possibilities to ensure that the water supply shall reach the Panchayat Ghars in every village. There is also a need to maintain water source sustainability to provide a regular drinking water supply to the people,” the LG said, as per official spokesperson.
With an objective to make the water supply connection service more convenient to the people, the LG, he said, directed the department to develop a robust mechanism for making the said service available online.
“The Lt Governor asked the department to lay a dispute redressal system and maintain close synergy with other departments, besides working in convergence mode for effective execution of water supply augmentation works,” the official spokesperson said, adding that the LG also took serious note of the delays in execution of works and said that the administration is not going to tolerate any laxity on the part of the government officers.
He said that the members of Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources Regulatory Authority (JKWRRA) were asked to share expertise with Jal Shakti department for ensuring timely completion of works.
“Revenue generation is an important component of the working of any department. Jal Shakti Department also needs to put special focus on increasing revenue realization. Responsibilities shall be fixed for the officers of the divisions with low revenue generation,” Sinha said, as per the official spokesperson.
Directions were also passed to the department for submitting the pending Utilization Certificates (UCs) to the Government of India within 15 days.
The LG, as per official spokesperson also directed for the completion of the ongoing water supply works to all the Hospitals, Anganwadi Centres, and Schools across J&K by 15th August this year.
“Ensure no hospital, Anganwadi Centres, and schools in all districts of the UT shall remain without water availability,” he added.
Speaking on the Government’s endeavour to develop Tawi riverfront on the lines of Sabarmati Riverfront, the LG said that the prestigious project will change the face of Jammu and open up new avenues for tourism development.
“We need to make committed efforts for the speedy completion of all the other important water projects which are connected with the development of Tawi Riverfront, the Lt Governor said. In this regard, the Lt Governor set a deadline of one year for the completion of Jammu Tawi Barrage,” Sinha said, as per official spokesperson.
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