Samba, July 15: Apni Party Provincial President Jammu and former minister S. Manjit Singh raised serious concerns over the unprecedented electricity and water supply crisis in Samba district.
“In Ramgarh’s border villages, thousands of families have been rendered helpless in the wake of paddy season because they are not getting canal water in the tail-end village,” the former minister said while addressing a party workers’ meeting at Ramgarh which was organized by District President, Samba, Legal Cell, Adv Sahil Bharti.
Speaking at the meeting, Manjit Singh expressed his concern over the plight of the farmers who have been left helpless with no help from the authorities. “The canals were constructed to water fields at the tail-end in Ramgarh and other areas. However, the tail-end villages remain without water supply in the canals and hence, their agricultural activities remain affected,” he said.
He said that the agricultural land in the border belt is fertile and it has the capability to produce good quality crops, but the concerned department has not given any kind of heed to the repeated concerns of the farmers to ensure proper canal water supply for irrigation purposes.
“On the one hand, the canal water does not reach the tail-end villages, and on the other, the water pumps do not work without electricity. The supply system of electricity has adversely affected Samba district particularly Ramgarh and other areas,” he said.
As the unprecedented power cuts continue during the summer season, he said that it has also affected the drinking water supply. “The normal day-to-day life and agricultural activities have been affected by the non-serious approach of the authorities. Repeated appeals were made by the farmers to ensure canal water up to the tail-end villages in Ramgarh. However, they did not respond positively,” he added.
Singh said that there is anger among the people against the BJP for “false promises” and its inability to fulfill the promises made to the people of Jammu plains. “The people in Jammu plains voted them to power in 2014 assembly elections, but the BJP has failed to perform on the ground,” he said.
Highlighting the policy and agenda of the Apni Party, he said that Apni Party has emerged as a hope for the people of both regions when traditional political parties failed to fulfill the aspirations of the people.
He said that the Apni Party is committed to equitable development, and to resolving all the issues of the people on a priority basis.
