Power, Water crisis in Jammu compounded woes of people: Harsh Dev

Launching a scathing attack on the UT govt for its gross failure in providing relief to the people of Jammu region from the ongoing power and water crisis, the NPP Chairman and former Minister Harsh Dev Singh staged a dharna against the frequent un-scheduled power cuts and irregular water supply in the entire region under raging sun with temperature soaring upto 44°c at Jammu today.

Mr. Harsh Dev Singh while addressing the media regretted that the acute power crisis has not only made the life of a common man miserable in the towns and cities but also in the hinterland and remote areas during the ongoing summer season. Expressing resentment over the deprivation of a basic civic amenity like power, he said that the callous attitude of the PDD has made the people of Jammu to suffer the worst hardships due to scorching heat and soaring humidity with no respite from scheduled and frequent unscheduled power cuts. He regretted that inspite of persistent appeals to the government to comply with the scheduled calendar on power supply and the repeated assurances of the UT government, no action had been taken by the latter thus making the people’s life a living hell. Strongly flaying the unpleasant scope of discrimination extending on Jammu region in the power sector as well, Mr. Singh said that the power consumption between Jammu and Kashmir regions is in the proportion of 40:60 respectively but as far as the revenue realization was concerned, Jammu shared more than 66% of power tariff while paltry 34% came from Kashmir province. The Power Deptt should ensure un-interrupted power supply in Jammu and learn a lesson from the Governments of many other States which had set an example by effecting a drastic reduction in power tariff besides ensuring a regular power supply, Harsh said. He warned the PDD to face the music of an enraged public in case the regular and un-interrupted power supply was not restored at the earliest.

Mr. Singh sought the accountability of the UT govt and questioned the BJP govt regarding the fate of 150 MMT dedicated coal mine which was promised to be allotted to J&K in the “Agenda of Alliance” for establishing a thermal plant. He further sought a response from the GoI in respect of the assurance given by the Union Power Minister for provision of an additional 440 KV Transmission Line from Jalandhar to Jammu as an alternate Northern Grid connectivity. He also demanded regular supply of clean water in Jammu Pradesh keeping in view of the soaring public health hazards.

Lambasting the authorities for irregular water supply in Jammu region, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that irregular supply of water besides polluted and contaminated water supplied in the Jammu city and other places had created an alarming situation with people boiling with rage against the criminal apathy of helmsmen. He pointed out that around an year back a survey conducted by Kelly memorial society, an internationally acclaimed NGO had examined 2547 people in Jammu out of which 836 were found suffering from water borne diseases. He said that 68.18% samples were found to be containing poisonous elements with several reports revealing huge quantities of ammonia, nitrate, chloride and other highly toxic arsenic elements which caused gastro-enteritis, skin diseases and cancer. He pointed out that at several places, the damaged sewer pipes and water supply pipes had got connected thus supplying the filth, rubbish and refuse in a dissolved form with water to the consumers. Describing the situation created due to poisonous water as dangerous, Mr. Singh cautioned the concerned authorities to stem the rot and to take priority action to address the health concerns of the public besides providing quality potable drinking water to the affected people. Accusing the BJP govt for their policy of subterfuge, he warned the Saffron party not to take the people of Jammu for granted otherwise the public anger already having reached its peak would erase the BJP’s existence from its once political bastion.