Jammu, 14 June (H.S.): Congress has taken strong exception to the power and water situation in Jammu region, during the worst heat wave and criticised the statement of Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar regarding power situation in J&K.

In a statement JKPCC has expressed grave concern over the frequent unscheduled power cuts in this scorching heat causing lot of hardships to the people especially aged, infirm ailing and children.

“The frequent power cuts and low voltage has severally affected the water supply in Urban and Rural areas of most parts of Jammu province,” the party said.

Party has further said that people opposed installation of smart meters but were forcibly installed on the assurance of 24 hours uninterrupted power supply, however, the experience of the people has proved worst. People of the region are paying from their noose the hefty bills of smart meters but in return facing the same situation during difficult period of heat wave.

“The Government befooled and lied to the power consumers and didn’t fulfill it’s promise causing great resentment amongst people, with no solution to their plight,” JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said.

The statement of Union Power Minister on Thursday has added salt to the wounds of suffering people and realize how far the Minister is misled or befooling people by making false claims regarding power situation in J&K UT. Minister should order enquiry into the false information provided to him , as people are surprised over the ignorance of BJP Minister despite his party’s huge mandate from the region.

The party has also said that majority of BJP – RSS leaders are enjoying cool of Kashmir region and colder areas of Jammu region on full Government facilities due to power at the Centre and proxy Government here while their electorate are suffering with heat wave, day and night. Such BJP leaders fail to apprise their Central leadership and Ministers about the real situation and only visit for photo ops.

The rural belts of Jammu province are reeling under acute water crisis and people have to pay a lot for getting tanker supplies but there are several areas which are non accessible to tanker services. The PHE authorities should immediately press more tankers, tractor trolleys to supply drinking water to the rural areas of Jammu region besides replacing old machinery and improving men and material for improving water supply, he added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar