 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 28: Contrary to claims declaring Jammu city 'Open defecation free', at least 450 families in Bazigar Basti in Bahu Fort area do not have toilet facility.
Disappointed over being neglected, the residents of area say that Kavinder Gupta as MLA Gandhi Nagar constituency, did nothing for them. Drains in the Basti are choked for past five years and have turned into major source of water-borne diseases.
"We never saw any sanitation drive in our area during last five years. We are being used as a vote bank, not as citizens by the politicians", said Tara Chand, president Bazigar Community of Bahu Fort.
Other residents of the area including Swarn, Naro Devi, Abarl, Kartar Chand, Jani Ram, Nitu, Billa, Chaman Lal, Vijay Kumar, Tara Chand, Vijay Kumar, Ratan Lal, Sadhu Ram, T R Shivgotra, Moni Ram Skandya Devi and Bill told Early Times that choked drains in the locality have become cause of contaminated water supply in the area.
"Due blockage of the drains and water logging most of the water supply pipes have been submerged. It further causes contamination of water as major network of water supply line has got damaged", they said and added that some agents/workers of ex-MLA withdrew huge amount meant for toilets.
"Under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), Rs 12000 was given to each household by the government, but it is shocking that we don't have any single toilet here. We have to go to Sulabh Shauchalaya by paying every time", said Moni Ram, adding that it is enough to expose Kavinder Gupta's non-performance as the MLA.
They said that another scandal surfaced in the area in the form of community bathroom. "A community bathroom was to be built in the area for Bazigar Basti, but you will find nothing on the ground. Kavinder Gupta sanctioned Rs 8.50 lakh for construction of the bathroom. One of his workers entrusted to construct the complex, swindled the entire money. We appeal the Governor's administration to order a probe into the both scandals-toilet and the proposed community bathroom", they said. |
