‘Funds denied’ for water scheme announced by Mehbooba

Srinagar, Sep 16: Hampora village of Langate constituency in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district is crying for potable water for the last 25 years.

Both ministers of the popular government and babus during the periods of Governor Rule come to the village, promised heaven but the dream of the villagers to get potable water is yet to come true.

Last time, Mehbooba Mufti as Chief Minister during Awami Darbar at Kupwara announced a water supply scheme but now after the imposition of Governor’s rule in the state, the authorities of PHE department are refusing to take up the work on the scheme citing lack of funds.

The villagers, while narrating the tale, said that “despite knowing the hardships we are facing in this village, the officials are turning a deaf ear to our cries. We have to walk about one kilometre to collect water from a nallah (stream).”

“PHE (department) has never bothered to let the dream of potable water come true in this village and is now refusing to take up the work on water supply scheme announced by Mehbooba Mufti as Chief Minister during her visit to the area last year,” one of the villagers said.

A few months back, the residents of Hampora village blocked Kralgund-Langate road and after about two hours authorities persuaded them to call of the protest with an assurance from Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir who directed the concerned authorities to ensure water supply to the affected village but that assurance has not materialised so far.

When contacted, Secretary Public Health Engineering (PHE) Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Farooq Ahmad Shah told KNS: “Chief Secretary has himself visited the district and directed the PHE Executive Engineers both Kupwara and Handwara to complete the languishing schemes by March end next year.”

He said that recently in a meeting the issue of water supply scheme of this village was also discussed. They agreed with the Executive Engineer PHE Handwara assured that the schemes will be completed in shortest possible time.

“Government is quite serious about the water supply problems in district Kupwara for which we have already assured them funding of rupees fifty crores by and before March next year. No laxity on part of officers will be tolerated. They will be accountable and they will ensure safe and drinking water to the people of the Kupwara district,” he said.(KNS)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Kashmir Monitor staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)