Akhnoor: Senior Vice President J and K PCC and former Congress Minister, Sham Lal today alleged that people of Akhnoor belt are facing acute shortage of water and power crisis as the PDP-BJP Government has failed to provide essential services to the public.
Addressing monthly meeting of Block Congress Committee, Akhnoor, Sham alleged that PDP-BJP Government has again turned out to be a complete failure on all fronts. Most parts of Akhnoor are under acute water and power crisis but the government has not taken any effective step to solve the problem.
Sharma claimed that the unprecedented power and water crisis in Akhnoor highlights the apathy of the ruling coalition which had failed to address the issues of the people. He also said “situation in Akhnoor had virtually turned out of control due to the severe shortage of drinking water and worst-ever power crisis during summer”.
“Despite persistent appeals to the government to ensure supply of basic amenities, no action has been taken. People are suffering, but there is no consolation from the government,” he added.
Taking a dig on BJP, Sharma said that the ministers from Jammu region are enjoying cool weather in Kashmir, the people in Jammu and other adjoining districts, experiencing harsh summer days are suffering badly in view of the worst kind of power crisis as the Power Development Department (PDD) has miserably failed to provide adequate supply of electricity to the consumers even in the fully metered areas. He said that the angry public is on the roads protesting against the government, especially against the public representatives (MLAs/ MLCs) and ministers from Jammu region who are enjoying cool breeze at Srinagar. The people here alleged that the ministers from Jammu are not available and there was no body to listen to their grievances these days.
“For the last one week, Akhnoor and its adjoining areas are facing worst kind of power crisis. For hours together, the forced shut down is being imposed on the consumers which are torturous during these peak scorching hot summer days. Even during night hours, there is no power for hours together and people are spending sleepless nights these days,” he added.
Sham also alleged that there are massive public protests at least daily these days in Jammu District and its adjoining areas but the public representatives and even the Minister for Power who hails from Jammu is apparently least bothered about the miseries of the public.
Prior to meeting, Sham Lal Sharma conducted an extensive tour of flood affected areas of Akhnoor Tehsil to take stock of damages caused due to incessant rains and flash flood.