POONCH, Feb 27: On Thursday, Javed Ahmed Rana, the Minister for Jal Shakti, inaugurated two Water Supply Schemes (WSSs) in the Mankote block of Poonch, specifically at Barooi Chowki and Sheikhan Barja.
These projects were completed with investments of Rs 3.85 crore and Rs 2.82 crore, respectively, under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
The inauguration took place during a large public outreach camp in Mankote, which aimed to tackle the concerns and grievances of local residents.
Numerous individuals and delegation members approached the Minister during the event to voice their issues and seek prompt solutions.
The Deputy Commissioner of Poonch, Vikas Kundal, along with department heads and senior officials from various sectors, also attended the outreach camp.
In his address, Rana emphasized that water security is a top priority for the government. “We are dedicated to ensuring that quality drinking water reaches every household, with a strong emphasis on enhancing water infrastructure throughout Jammu and Kashmir,” the Minister stated.
He noted that the new schemes would significantly resolve water scarcity issues in the area.
The WSS at Barooi Chowki is expected to benefit 2,948 residents, providing 440 households with 140 new water connections, while the WSS at Sheikhan Barja Mankote will serve a population of 3,991, offering access to 611 households.
Rana encouraged the community to support the government’s initiatives for comprehensive development and to play their part in protecting and preserving water resources. “Every individual has a responsibility to ensure our water sources are kept clean and safe,” he remarked.
Reflecting on the outreach camp, Rana mentioned that while it is a successful concept embraced in various parts of the country, it requires modifications to yield better results. “The primary goal of these outreach programs should be to provide immediate and sustainable solutions to public issues. We are committed to delivering governance directly to the people, guided by our steadfast dedication to public service,” he reiterated.
He proposed that outreach camps should become a regular occurrence to ensure that community needs are prioritized in plans and policies. “If public meetings are conducted with transparency and commitment, followed by decisive action, many developmental challenges can be addressed,” he asserted. He also commended the local administration for their efforts over the past few months.
Despite adverse weather conditions, the Minister persisted with the outreach initiative, engaging in thorough discussions with locals, addressing their concerns, and reviewing ongoing development projects.
He attentively listened to the issues raised and directed officials to resolve them. Emphasizing accountability, Rana urged the Poonch district administration to closely monitor all development activities to maximize their benefits for the public. He further stressed the importance of enhancing performance across all sectors, bridging gaps, expediting project completion, and achieving significant results that directly improve residents’ lives.
