 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 15: Video of the helpless inhabitants of Karadki village of Samba district, who are forced to drink contaminated water, is an indication that the much-publicized three-phased 'back to the village' programme was nothing but photo-ops and publicity stunts for those at the helm of the affairs only to hoodwink the innocent people of Jammu region.
The situation of the ground remains the same but those at the helm of the affairs are brazenly trying to project this programme as revolutionary to take governance at the doorstep of the villagers. Some media platforms have circulated a video of Karadkri village where people are seen fetching contaminated water an almost dry pond. The helpless residents of this village are seen narrating their tales of woes. In the video, villagers regretted that potable water is still a luxury in this belt but to say of other facilities. Villagers alleged that all schemes and programmes launched by the government from time to time are confined only on papers but on the ground, nothing has been changed even after re-organization of J&K and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K • Jammu worst victim of ‘photo-ops’ of higher-ups; ground situation worsening after abrogation of Art 370
• Instead of providing basic amenities people taken-for-granted
The non-availability of potable water in villages is a a clear indication that nothing has been changed for people of the Jammu region who were earlier facing discrimination due to Kashmir centric politics and now they are facing step-motherly treatment for no reason. Karadki is not an isolated village, there are number of villages in Kandi belts of Samba, Kathua, Reasi, Jammu and Rajouri districts where getting potable water is still a distant dream.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has claimed that the three-phased 'back to village' programme has changed the life of the villagers. But in reality, nothing has been changed. Except photo-ops higher-ups have done nothing.
Recently J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Ghulam Ahmad Mir had stated that the back to village exercise has disturbed the “entire machinery and people” but it has not shown any results.
“Not a single work was carried out in the previous rounds. It is to accommodate the ruling party workers, especially in those panchayats where elections could not be held, which numbers to over 13,000 seats,” Mir had claimed. | 