SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Jal Shakti Minister informed the Assembly that the Omar Abdullah government has not received “even a single penny” from the Government of India under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) since assuming office nearly 18 months ago. He was responding to concerns regarding the scarcity of tap water in the Lolab and Kupwara areas.
Two legislators from Kupwara raised the issue, stating that the region is facing an acute water shortage. The Lolab MLA said the area lacks an adequate water source and that lifting water from Wular Lake may be required. The Kupwara MLA said the entire district is reeling under a severe water crisis.
“The district had a good network of water supply schemes which were functioning properly,” said Mir Saifullah. “Then new schemes were introduced, and their implementation involved demolition of the existing schemes, as a result of which both the old and new schemes have become dysfunctional.” He said the government must push for completion of the new schemes so that the issues are resolved gradually.
Jal Shakti Minister Javed Rana said the department is facing a shortage of funds but asserted that some of the funds already allocated to districts are not being utilised properly and are lapsing. He asked lawmakers to intervene and ensure that allocated funds do not lapse.
The Jal Jeevan Mission is one of the major flagship schemes of the central government. However, responses on its implementation differ between the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government.
