G S Asgotra
Early Times Report
Jammu, May 31: One hand the BJP led Union government has earmarked huge money for rejuvenating the rivers but on other hands, its own ministers in PDP- BJP coalition government in state of Jammu and Kashmir has showed thumb to the directives of former minister of Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC), Choudhary Sukhnandan over diversion of sewerage nullahs which have been flowing into Ranbir Canal and Tawi River since many years.
It is pertinent to mention here that in ten months' government of PDP-BJP led by Late Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, the Minister of I&FC, Choudhary Sukhnandan in month of June, 2015 had summoned to Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) and its Urban Environment Engineering Department (UEED) to divert flowing of all sewerage nullahs into Ranbir Canal and Tawi River; otherwise he would compelled to barricade them.
"Unfortunately, after lapse of one year neither the departments (JMC, H&UDD and UEED) nor the incumbent minister concerned, and Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh having portfolio of Urban bodies are showing any concern over flowing of filthy nullahs into Ranbir Canal and Tawi River".
Reliable source in department informed that the negligence of the department concerned (JMC) could be from this fact that although former minister and even its department (I&FC) had time and again apprised to the JMC either diverting the sewerage nullah or to establish treatment plant over the filthy nullahs, but because of lackadaisical approach of department concerned it has so far been failed to solve problem, adding, "Although, the Apex Court ruling and Water Act 2010 of Jammu and Kashmir has been also directed, no one has been any right to pollute the water body but all the departments, come under Urban Ministry have been flouting the set norms envisaged in Water Act 2010", source said wishing anonymity.
Source further said that on the direction of former minister, the officials of irrigation department had sent a notice to JMC, in which he have been particular mentioned that at priority, the sewerage nallah of Muthi, has been polluting the Ranbir Canal so much from the couple of years. "Owing to continue flowing of filthy and contaminated water into Ranbir Canal, the farmer community of borders areas like Marh, R S Pura and Bishnah are compelled to use them this contaminated water during the time of irrigation", source added.
Pertinently, the 60 km long Ranbir Canal is one of major source of irrigation to border villages- Marh, RS Pura and Bishnah. Earlier in peak summer season, the canal's water was used as potable water and residents of these border areas have been used to make meal but since JMC was flowing of sewerage water into canal, the habitats has hesitated even to allow the animal to drink canal water. |
