Jammu, 14 June (H.S.): Senior National Conference leader and Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest & Tribal Affairs, Javed Rana today asserted that the Omar Abdullah-led Government is working relentlessly to address the longstanding drinking water crisis in the Kandi belt, particularly across the Jammu region.

He was addressing a workers’ meeting at Sidhra, organised by former Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) Corporator, Shama Begum who highlighted the problems of drinking water, electricity, roads communication, health care etc. The meeting was also addressed by National Conference Provincial president for Jammu, Rattan Lal Gupta and Provincial secretary Sheikh Bashir Ahmad.

Addressing the gathering, Rana said that the present government has inherited years of administrative neglect and is taking decisive measures to ensure adequate potable drinking water supply to every household. He accused the previous BJP-led dispensation of failing to address the genuine concerns of the people despite remaining in power for over a decade.

“The issues confronting the people of Jammu, particularly the scarcity of drinking water in Kandi and hilly areas, were ignored for years. Several vital schemes were left abandoned, while many projects initiated during Omar Abdullah’s previous tenure were either stalled midway or pushed into cold storage during the BJP’s direct and indirect rule,” Rana said.

He maintained that the people of Jammu were served only with promises while developmental works remained largely confined to official announcements. “The problems of the people multiplied over the years, but since the elected government led by Omar Abdullah assumed office, Jammu has once again begun receiving the attention it deserves,” he added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar