Jammu, July 16: Apni Party provincial president Jammu and former minister S. Manjit Singh on Sunday demanded the protection of villages and residential colonies along the water bodies and rivers in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts.
The former minister was speaking at a public meeting that was organized by Women Wing Provincial President, Jammu, Pavneet Kour, Teerath Singh, and Yashpal Choudhary here at Beli Charana where the participants discussed problems faced by the people due to heavy rains and flooded rivers like Devak, Basantar, Ujh, Tawi and other river bodies in Jammu plains.
Addressing the gathering, Manjit Singh said the flood-related issues have increased the worries of the people living close to the water bodies in three districts. He said that the flood waters have posed a threat to the agricultural fields, shelters, and residential colonies.
“The Flood Control and Irrigation Department has not been able to provide protection to the land and residential houses alongside the river bodies. Whenever they are approached, they claim that they lack funds,” he said, citing grievances of the people because of the inability of the authorities to ensure the protection of life and property.
He demanded that the Flood Control Department should immediately respond to the emerging flood-like situation in Jammu, Samba and Kathua. He also demanded the construction of protection walls, and work to protect the land from soil erosion, property and life of the people.
Meanwhile, he referred to the problems confronted by the pensioners in Jammu and Kashmir as many have not received the same for the last eight months. “The government should reduce the formalities as it has adversely affected the pensioners who are suffering because of multiple health issues. As many of the pensioners could not complete the formalities, their monthly pensions have stopped,” he said.