Ajay Sharma
Rajouri, July 3
In response to a news report by Northlines, the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has taken immediate action to address the ongoing water supply issues in Village Makol, Sunderbani.
According to reports, a team led by the Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) from the Sub-Division Sunderbani visited the village Makol to investigate the complaints.
Junior Engineer (JE) and other officials were also present to assess the situation.
“The investigation follows allegations from local sources that the field staff had been misleading senior officers regarding the water supply problems,” said sources, adding that the water supply to the Government Middle School, impacting around 60 families in the village, had been cut off.
Owing to apathetic approach of PHE officials, locals had staged a protest against the Department and an influential politician, alleging that the field staff was operating under the politician's instructions.
“Upon reaching the site, the AEE discovered that despite proper connections, there was no water supply through the taps,” said sources, quoting the AEE, sources added that the issue might be due to a blocked pipe.
However, the villagers raised concerns, questioning how a specific family in the village continued to receive water if the pipe was indeed blocked.
“The integrity of the PHE officials came under scrutiny, with villagers claiming that the officials were acting on orders from a political leader,” said sources, adding that the locals had expressed their frustration, stating they would take their grievances to the polls and file formal complaints against the JE and AEE.
Meanwhile, locals also requested the concerned Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent Engineer to form a team to thoroughly investigate the complaints against the PHE officials.
The villagers demanded the immediate restoration of their water supply, warning that failure to address the issue promptly would result in roadblocks as a form of protest.
