Rana expresses concern over drinking water scarcity, seeks end to stalemate with PHE workers

NC Provincial President Devender Singh Rana flagging off Maha Kali Yatra on Saturday.
NC Provincial President Devender Singh Rana flagging off Maha Kali Yatra on Saturday.

Flags off Maha Kali Yatra

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 22: National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana today flagged off Maha Kali (Gharwali Mata) Yatra from Chinore to Agrore Ghar and wished the devotees blissful spiritual odyssey.
He prayed for peace and tranquility across the country and State while paying obeisance to the Mata.
Prominent among those present in the yatra included Sevak Suman Lata, Ravinder Singh Peter, Sanjeev Singh, Sohan Singh, Rekha Langeh Tejpal Singh, Dayal Singh and others
Later interacting with several delegations and various sections of society, Rana expressed grave concern over acute scarcity of drinking water across the Jammu region, especially in the capital city, saying the situation is quite precarious in some parts of Jammu due to continued strike of Public Health Engineering daily and casual workers.
“Somebody in the Government has to take initiative and break the stalemate to ensure drinking water supply”, Rana said adding that the situation in the wake of strike has been allowed to precipitate resulting in the chaotic situation. It appears that the Government and the striking employees are in competition to put the people in miseries, he said, adding that Jammu has never ever witnessed such a depressing scenario on drinking water front during winters.
Terming the continued strike of PHE workers as a legacy of insensitive PDP-BJP dispensation, the Provincial President said the Governor’s Administration ought to have worked towards some via media to end the deadlock. “We see no reason for the administration to bring the striking workers on negotiation table and sort out the issues for larger interest of the people”, he said, adding that the residents cannot be held to ransom due to ego clash of the concerned agencies.
He made a fervent appeal to Governor Satyapal Malik and the Advisor incharge PHE to take the initiative for resolving the issue. He said the administration has to show some sort of sensitivity towards public woes, who are faced with worst type of drinking water scarcity.
He also urged the striking employees to appreciate the difficulties of people and discharge their crucial role in ensuring basic necessity in these winter months. He expressed solidarity with them but hoped that their personal problems will not come in way of overall public good.