Family in Nahoti endures 5-yr water crisis despite Govt schemes

Ajay Sharma

Rajouri, January 31: In a stark contrast to the central government’s ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission aiming to provide tap water to every household, a family in Ward No. 7 of Nahoti village, Khanna, under Panchayat Nala in Sunderbani Sub-Division, has been allegedly without running water for nearly five years.

According to sources, household of Sanjay Kumar, son of late Shri Gyan Chand, has a installed water tap that remains dry, forcing the family—including small children and women—to struggle daily for basic needs like drinking, cooking, and sanitation.

“This family has been yearning for water for 6 years,” the sources stated, adding that government says, educate the child, but in absence of water, how it is possible.

Sources informed that the family has repeatedly approached Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, but to no avail.

“When the family met the local field staff, it was told the pipes have rotted and no new line has been laid, making water supply impossible without directives from higher officials,” said sources, adding that the family was further told that the department do not have a line connection.

Despite multiple visits over the years, no inspections or repairs have been conducted.

The sources questioned why this single family appears targeted, asking, “Why was this family, a single family, targeted? Why were they not given water for the last 5 to 6 years? They are crying, they are suffering.”

They said that the family, including small girls, faces severe hardships, despite government slogans like “Save daughters and educate daughters.”

Sources asserted that the Modi government’s Jal Jeevan Mission, launched to deliver potable water to all rural households by 2024, has seen significant progress in Jammu and Kashmir, but gaps remain in remote or underserved pockets.

The Lieutenant Governor’s administration has emphasized full coverage, with the Principal Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department issuing directives that “no one should have a problem with water.”

Meanwhile, sources accused local officials for failing on the ground, “These officers make big claims and make big promises, who run schemes in papers… But these officers do not work on the ground,” said sources, adding that whenever confronted, these local officials claim that they cannot do anything without orders from the higher officers, including the Junior Engineer (JE), Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) Sunderbani, and Executive Engineer (Xen) Nowshera.

“First of all, a strict action should be taken against them. Officers should be taught a lesson,” sources maintained and requested the civil administration to investigate why the family’s issue lingered unresolved for years.

“Does this family have any enmity with the department?” the sources asked or some politicians are exerting pressure on the officials.