Govt to provide free water tanker service to water deficit areas: Jal Shakti Minister

JAMMU: In a move to address water scarcity and ensure access to clean drinking water in Jammu city, the Jammu and Kashmir government today announced free water tanker service to the water deficit areas.
This was revealed during a high level review meeting chaired by Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana at Civil Secretariat Jammu.
Besides the Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, the meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, School Education Department, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti, Department, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation, Vice Chairman Jammu Development Authority, Director Tribal Affairs, Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti, Jammu and other senior officers.
“We will provide free of cost water tankers to those areas which are facing water shortage. The leftover areas would also be covered soon under Jal Jeevan Mission or any other water supply scheme,” he said, highlighting the situation faced by people due to inadequate water supply. He said that this initiative aims to support vulnerable communities, especially during times of water shortage.
The Minister instructed the officers to visit the areas witnessing water shortage so that water supply plans are formulated accordingly. He also called for incorporating certain measures to streamline and keep the online portal user friendly for common man.
Expressing concern over slow pace of progress on water supply schemes under AMRUT in Jammu division, the Minister called for immediate preparation of pending DPRs and subsequent approval by the HUDD.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding progress on Jal Jeevan Mission in Poonch district.
The Minister sought details about the plans to be undertaken to ensure adequate water supply in view of continuing dry spell. He also called for inauguration of those schemes which are complete as per DPR saying that they should be dedicated to the public as soon as possible.
Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, informed that five schemes each in Mendhar, Surankote and Haveli constituencies will be completed in next 10 days for inauguration.
Javed Rana also reviewed progress on ongoing development works in Poonch district under CAPEX. He encouraged the officers to work in a mission mode so that all the pending works are completed within shortest possible time.
It was given out in the meeting that out of total 3151, 1878 works have been completed in Poonch under CAPEX.
Regarding delays in execution of developmental works, the Minister asked for expediting works being executed under all schemes, especially in the CSS in Poonch.
Highlighting the plight of those affected by snow storm in the year 2005 at Waltengoo in district Kulgam, Javed Rana impressed upon the administration to make efforts for rehabilitating the victims by establishing a model colony with all requisite facilities for the residents.
During the meeting, focused discussions were also held on construction of Tribal Bhawan in Jammu.
Javed Rana, who also holds the Tribal Affairs portfolio, asked the concerned officers to identify the land for construction of Tribal Bhawan in Jammu. He also assessed implementation of Pradhan Mantri Aadi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY), a flagship program aimed at holistic development of tribal villages. He underscored the importance of focusing on critical areas such as education, healthcare, housing and infrastructure to achieve the program’s objectives.
During the meeting, discussions were also held on subject-specific teachers under SMAGRA.