JAMMU, APR 4: Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, informed the Legislative Assembly that the temporary one‑day disconnection of water supply in parts of Handwara division was carried out as part of a departmental revenue realization drive aimed at improving recovery and meeting assigned targets.
The Minister was replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by legislator Sheikh Khursheed. He stressed that timely payment of user charges is essential for uninterrupted water supply and described it as a shared responsibility between the public and authorities. He said the disconnection was adopted as a last resort after the department made sustained efforts, including door‑to‑door campaigns and mass awareness drives through local community platforms.
The Minister explained that the action affected certain pockets in Magam, Neelipora and other habitations with poor revenue realization, and clarified that supply was restored on March 30, 2026, and has remained normal and uninterrupted since then. He added that a large number of consumers continue to avail potable water yet have not cleared their outstanding dues despite regular billing and repeated reminders.
Replying to a separate Calling Attention Notice moved by legislator Devyani Rana, the Minister said prompt action had been taken and FIRs had been registered in cases involving theft of transformers and allied Public Health Engineering (PHE) equipment. He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting public assets and preventing such incidents.
The Minister noted that the Jal Shakti (PHE) Department is carrying out extensive water‑supply infrastructure work under the Jal Jeevan Mission, with 3,253 schemes either under execution or already completed across Jammu and Kashmir. A substantial inventory of existing water‑supply infrastructure is also operational.
Given the wide spread of these assets, he said safeguarding is being ensured through regular monitoring and deployment of available manpower. He added that most schemes are still under execution and remain in the custody of the implementing agencies until physical and financial completion, making them responsible for protection during this period. The Department is also promoting community participation through Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs/Paani Samitis) to build a sense of ownership at the grassroots level.
