SRINAGAR: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, expressed his frustration today over the political and social resistance to anti-encroachment initiatives in Jammu, according to Daily Excelsior.
Speaking in an exclusive interview amidst the ongoing weather calamity in the region, Singh highlighted how political parties, despite their ideological differences, often unite to oppose such drives, viewing them as a common cause.
Singh pointed out that past attempts to correct encroachments and prevent future disasters were consistently politicised. He stated that, rather than addressing the issue constructively, these efforts often led to campaigns that undermined the noble objectives behind them. He criticised the undue pressure on authorities, such as Deputy Commissioners and District Mining Officers, who were tasked with enforcing these drives, forcing many to face transfers for taking action.
“Whenever an anti-encroachment drive is launched, it immediately turns into a controversy,” Dr. Singh said. “Even well-meaning social organisations and trade bodies often join forces to thwart these efforts.”
Singh also emphasised the broader implications of encroachment on public infrastructure. He warned that illegal constructions on drainage channels, nullahs, or other vital structures ultimately affect the entire community, including the families of those responsible for the damage. “These same roads and bridges are used by the children of those who harm them,” he remarked, urging for a change in mindset.
The Minister also lamented the widespread practice of encroachment in cities such as Jammu, Kathua, and Udhampur. “It has become a norm to occupy vacant spaces, whether for commercial complexes or residential extensions,” he said, calling for personal introspection and responsibility.
On the government’s efforts, Singh mentioned initiatives such as the national mission for Himalayan Ecological Sustainability and the Survey of India’s website for public awareness. However, he stressed that these efforts would only succeed if citizens adhered to the norms and principles.
Concluding, Singh suggested that, once the current crisis subsides, civil society and government representatives should come together to devise a plan to prevent similar issues from affecting future generations.
