- Says water level reduces in many villages around Devak, Basanter Rivers
SAMBA: Apni Party Provincial President, Jammu, and Former Minister, S. Manjit Singh on Sunday has demanded a curb on illegal mining of minerals from the river beds in District Samba due to which the ground water level has reduced in many villages. The Former Minister was addressing a meeting at village Koulpur during which the people appraised him about various developmental issues with the Apni Party leaders.
The meeting was organised by Block Vice President, Vijaypur, Sadar Wazir Singh Jangi. Addressing the meeting, S. Manjit Singh extended support to the growing concern of the people with regard to the drop in ground water level following in planned and unscientific mining in the river beds by the mining mafia.
“The groundwater level has reduced to a drastic level in villages around Devak and Basantr rivers which has alarmed the locals and they have raised serious concern over the unabated mining by the mafia with the involvement of mining department and civil administration,” he said, expressing his displeasure over the situation which has caused uneasiness among the villagers.
He said that the villagers are mostly dependent upon groundwater for irrigation and drinking purposes but the inaction of the authorities against the mining mafia has posed threat to the ecosystem, and ground water level.
“If no action is taken against the mining mafia, the people will come on the road. Therefore, it is better for the authorities to take immediate steps to put a curb on the mining mafia who have dug deep over 20 to 25 ft in the river beds which has resulted in the reducing groundwater level,” he added.
Meanwhile, he also referred to other developmental issues raised by the people with regard to the road connectivity, and unscheduled power cuts and demanded that the authorities should take steps for the revamp of developmental activities.
He criticized authorities that they can bring positive change in the lives of the people, but their inaction, and actions against the public will have developed a feeling of alienation from the LG administration.
Citing an example of ill planned policy of Agniveers for the youth aspiring to join Indian Army, he said that the number of youth joining Indian army has reduced because of poor chances of getting regularized for regular jobs after the completion of four years.
“Youth have failed to understand why the policy was introduced which has service tenure of four years, and what they will do after getting retired from the service. There is no future or sense of job protection for the educated youth. Otherwise, border areas would prefer joining the army as first priority,” he said, and appealed to the Govt of India to look into the policy and make regular recruitments on a permanent basis so that the border youth of Jammu and Kashmir can be provided permanent jobs in the security forces.
He also demanded a special on spot recruitment drive for the border areas and kandi belt in the paramilitary and J&K Police. He said that the talented youth should be provided an appropriate platform to work for the nation, and protect its integrity.
He however, appealed to the people and the parents to play an important role in preventing their children from becoming drug addicted. “The drug addiction has become a serious threat to the youth and the members of civil society, and family members have a bigger role to play,” he added.