Some instances of negligence by government officials are simply inexcusable. Carelessness in performing some vital duties cannot be condoned and the defaulters must be punished under the law of the land. In particular, when it is a matter of the security of the country and the involvement of the defense establishment, any small negligence is criminal and deserves harshest punishment.
In J&K, not only the LoC but even the IB has become the target of enemy’s firing and shelling from across the border. Pakistani security forces indulge in unprovoked firing and shelling because they need to give cover to the infiltrating terrorists. The consequence of this firing and shelling is that the civilian population on our side of the border comes within the firing range of the enemy. In order to escape loss of life, civilian population is left with no option but to move away from the range of firing and seek shelter at some distance. That is a solution but it is a matter of embarrassment for the government. As such, after due consideration of the matter it was decided by the policy planners to dig underground bunkers along the IB which the civilian population could use as shelter during the firing. The scheme was thoroughly discussed and details were conveyed to the State government by the Defense Ministry. The State government put Rural Development Department in charge of the task and the bunkers were dug. But these had hardly been completed when it was found that these were filled with underground water since the water table is not deep in the entire area. The authorities that were in-charge of the project did not consult relevant quarters to ensure that water level was far below the ground level of the bunkers. The net result is that huge amounts spent on these bunkers has gone down the drain. Why this was allowed to happen and how the defaulters to be dealt with are what has made the District Development Commissioner constitute an inquiry into the matter and fix the responsibility. This matter has come to the notice of authorities when a meeting chaired by the MP of Jammu-Poonch constituency was discussing measures of protecting border population in the event of firing by the enemy. It is a matter of grave negligence. Those who were at the helm of affairs have no realization of the threat to the lives of border dwellers. It appears they took the entire project as well as their responsibility very lightly. This is criminal negligence and should never go unpunished.
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