Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 16: Describing the idea of shelving Jammu’s prestigious Tawi lake project at the completion stage as a foolish move, former Ministers Sham Lal Sharma, Raman Bhalla and Mula Ram asked the Dy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh to explain the parameters and the yardsticks under which he has described this project as non-feasible.
Addressing a joint press conference here, the Congress leaders from Jammu took serious note of the statements of the Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed on the issue of AIIMS and that of Dy Chief Minister from BJP, Dr Nirmal Singh, describing the Jammu Artificial Lake as non-feasible project, these leaders have asked the BJP to clear its stand or get ready to face the consequences.
Sham Lal Sharma, a former PHE, I&FC Minister described this idea as ill-conceived, raising question on the capability and expertise of the Technical Committee of Central Water Commission and State agencies and its qualified engineers who formulated the DPRs. He said as I&FC Minister he was closely associated with the project and Rs 55 crore have already been spent on this Rs 70 crore project. March 2016 is the completion target and over 90 % works have already been completed. Only mechanical works of raising gates are left. There is no binding under Indus Water Treaty on this project though Pakistan had raised some objections and were satisfied after the visit of their team at the site. Moreover, there is no binding as per the IWT on the domestic use of water.
Launching scathing attack on BJP, Mr Sharma said the leaders of this party from Jammu always projected themselves as `Thekedars’ and well wishers of Jammuites but the remarks the learned Dr Niramal Singh have proved that they have totally surrendered and sold their `inner conscious’ to the Valley based PDP. They are insulting the mandate of the people of Jammu who had high hopes from them. “Dr Nirmal Singh could be a History scholar but he can not be a `Technocrats’ who without going into the facts and details could raise finger on the credibility and capability of experts and top proven engineers who conceived this Lake project,” Mr Sharma remarked.
He said this project is being funded by 13th FC and Union Ministry of Water Resources (Rs 25 cr each) while Rs 20 crore is the State share. It will provide irrigation facility to the people, would add to beauty of Jammu city, low down surrounding temperature and also become impressive tourist attraction with boating facility but the BJP which always raised issue of discrimination with Jammu is hell bent to derail the Jammu centric projects. DyCM has already given statement against setting up of AIIMS in Jammu and on Friday during interaction with media at Jammu, the Chief Minister in presence of DyCM and MoS Priya Sethi stated that AIIMS was not for Jammu. These two remained mum there which is unfortunate.
Raman Bhalla pointed out that if Sukhna lake at Chandigarh or Dal lake an off-shoot of Jhelum, could be feasible, why this Tawi lake could not be feasible. It can attract lakhs of Mata Vaishnodevi pilgrims and boost the economy of Jammu which had badly hit after direct train service to Katra Mata Vaishnodevi. He said if this project was not feasible where were the BJP leaders and Dr Nirmal Singh in last 4-5 years. The work on this project started in 2010 why they remained mum ? It was question of the public money worth Rs 70 crore. They should have raised voice at that stage. It appears that BJP is under the influence of PDP and is opposing this project.
He warned the BJP to clear its stand on AIIMS and Tawi lake otherwise, Congress along with civil society of Jammu and other parties would launch united struggle and come out on the roads. He said Congress leaders from Jammu are not opposed to AIIMS in Kashmir but the AIIMS announced for Jammu should be given to this region.
On Shri Amarnath Yatra period issue, Bhalla said it should be conducted as per decision taken by the Shrine Board headed by the Governor. Nobody including Geelani can dictate on the yatra period. He should stop interfering in others’ religious matters. He said yatra should be allowed for 12 months instead of 2 months if the weather permits.
Other senior leaders including PCC chief spokesman Ravinder Sharma, Manjit Singh (Ex-Minister), Balwan Singh (Ex-MLA), Shah Mohd (gen secy), Anil Chopra (DCC Jammu president), PYC president Pranav Shagotra and PCC secretary Neeraj Gupta were also present.
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