Srinagar, July 16: House Committee on Estimates called a meeting in the assembly premises in Srinagar today, in which the functioning of the Water Power Department was reviewed in addition to assessing the progress on the ongoing water supply schemes (WSS) in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was chaired by committee chairperson shamim firdous and attended by Committee Members Abdul Majid Bhat (Larmi), Ghulam Mohi-DIN MIR, PAWAN KUMAR GUPTA, AJAZ JAN, Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani, Chander Prakash Ganga, Pyare Lal Sharma and Arjun Singh Raju.
The senior officials present included Shalen Kabra, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Water Power Department; Fayz -eke, Director General Accounts and Treasury; Khurshid Ahmed Shah, Mission Director, Water Life Mission (JJM); With the directors of Finance and Planning and Chief Engineers of both Kashmir and Jammu Division.
The Speaker emphasized the importance of providing safe and adequate drinking water to every house in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized the need for uninterrupted piped water supply in both rural and urban areas, highlighting the importance of water quality and stability of water resources.
He called for regular testing of water samples to ensure clean and safe water supply, and directed the replacement of old and defective pipes to maintain smooth water flow. The committee underlined the need for better coordination between the departments, especially with the Public Works Department (PWD), especially with the Public Works Department (PWD) to avoid disruptions in connectivity during execution of works.
MLA Salman Sagar, who participated as a special invite, highlighted the need to identify gray areas and address the lack of water through special funding approval.
The chairperson emphasized strict monitoring and effective use of money under the Water Life Mission (JJM). He called upon all the ongoing JJM and other WSS projects to be completed on time to ensure public facilities and emphasized for the restoration of blocked or defective springs and major water sources.
The committee directed the officials to respond to immediate response to public grievances, inspect regular projects and ensure immediate relief for areas facing water crises.
The members of the committee offered valuable suggestions and raised important concerns about execution and progress on various WSS.
During the meeting, Financial Commissioner Shalen Kabra informed the committee that a total of 6,897 civil works have been allocated under 3,253 schemes in Jammu and Kashmir. Of these, 6,887 works have been done and 3,596 works have been completed by May 31, 2025.
The committee pledged to continue monitoring the performance of major departments and to check budget estimates, revised allocation and actual expenditure to ensure accountability and transparency in development works.
Earlier, Secretary Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandita, deliberately about the agenda of the meeting.