Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 30
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Wednesday objected to Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana’s suggestion that a House committee report on alleged irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) be treated as closed, directing the government to examine complaints and submit an action-taken report.
The exchange followed a statement by House Committee chairman Justice Hasnain Masoodi, who briefed the Assembly on the panel’s findings into alleged irregularities in the implementation of JJM works across Jammu and Kashmir. The report was presented to the House on September 21.
Rana told the Assembly that the government would examine the irregularities identified by the committee and investigate complaints received from residents. He said schemes without complaints or adverse findings should continue and legitimate payments to contractors should be released in accordance with rules.
Rather objected to the suggestion that the matter be closed before members had an opportunity to discuss the report.
“How can you say this? Even members have not spoken on the matter and you are telling us to treat it closed,” the Speaker told the minister, describing the suggestion as contempt of the House.
He reminded the government that it was required to submit an action-taken report on the committee’s findings and recommendations.
Rather said schemes against which no complaints had been received should continue without disruption, while both existing and new complaints should be investigated. He said the government must also ensure that legitimate payments to contractors were not withheld and that implementation of the mission was not affected.
The Speaker said residents from areas not visited by the committee had approached authorities with complaints and should be allowed to present their concerns. He asked the government to verify allegations on the ground and examine genuine grievances.
He also referred to Assembly rules that allow members to seek further discussion if they are dissatisfied with the government’s response or action taken on a committee report.
Rana said the government was taking the committee’s observations seriously and would ensure that every allegation was examined.
He said the concerned authorities would conduct detailed inquiries wherever irregularities had been identified.
Complaints from residents would be examined through the respective deputy commissioners, who would be tasked with conducting inquiries and verifying the ground situation, he said.
The minister said several JJM schemes had faced inadequate funding over the past four years, affecting their progress, but added that more than 90% of the schemes had been completed.
Rana said the government would pursue accountability while ensuring that the mission continued without unnecessary delays, allowing residents to receive the intended benefits.
