- Concerted efforts underway to address water scarcity caused by rainfall deficiency: Javed Rana
JAMMU: Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmad Rana, today said that 35 WSSs have been either completed or under progress in different areas of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) constituency to facilitate portable water facility to the people. The Minister was replying to a question raised by MLA, Baldev Raj Sharma, in the Legislative Assembly.
He added that 91 PANI SAMITI Committees have been constituted in SMVD Constituency under JJM, comprising elected members of the Panchayat Raj Institutions, community leaders, school teachers, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers and others and it has to have at least 50 percent representation of women. He said that there is no slackening in monitoring by the Pani Samitis and there are regular reviews being held by District Jal Jeevan Missions (DJJMs) headed by the respective District Development Commissioners.
The Minister said that the rainfall recorded about 79% deficiency, as per data by the ending February this year, resulting in depletion of most of the Spring sources. He said that some important measures being taken up to tackle scarcity of water in SMVD constituency included awareness among the general public about judicious use of water and avoiding wastages. Besides, channelization of local nallahs has also been proposed at some sources by diverting the flow to recharge the springs.
He said that several measures like protection and development of the sources, deployment of additional water and focus on water conservation, rain water harvesting, ground water recharge, rejuvenation of traditional bodies and afforestation are being taken up to address the issue. He also informed that the present status of drinking water demand and supply in the SMVD Constituency (rural areas) is 11.85 lakh gallons per day against the water availability of 10.49 lakh gallons per day.
The Minister stated that all the pipes including GI, DI and HDPE are being used as per the site requirement and their suitability. He said that the HDPE pipes are one among the non-metallic pipes recommended by the CPHEEO manual and advised by NJJM, for use in transmission of water under various WSSs. He said that the concerned technical field staff monitors the work on a regular basis at the site. Apart from the District Project Management Units (DPMUs), there is a Third Party Inspection Agency for monitoring the quality of works, he added.
Replying to a supplementary, the Minister said that a strict inquiry would be conducted in case of failure of Pani Samitis, fixing the responsibilities accordingly. Besides, focus shall be given on fixing loopholes, if any, in execution of JJM works.
