Funds for Two Pumps in Chattral Lapse, Activist Flags Administrative Delay

Mendhar, March 30:
Raising serious concerns over alleged administrative inaction, social activist Tanveer Iqbal Qureshi has claimed that funds sanctioned for the installation of two hand pumps in Chattral area of Mendhar sub-division in Poonch district have lapsed due to prolonged delay by the concerned department.

According to Qureshi, the hand pumps were approved to address the pressing need for safe drinking water in the area. However, despite repeated follow-ups and assurances from officials, the work was never executed. He stated that department officials had consistently maintained that vehicles would be sent “today or tomorrow” to extract and install the hand pumps, but no such movement has taken place till date.

“The authorities kept delaying the process on one pretext or another. As a result, the funds could not be utilized within the stipulated time, ultimately leading to their lapse,” Qureshi alleged.

He further termed the situation as a clear case of negligence and lack of accountability, adding that such delays defeat the very purpose of public welfare schemes, especially in remote and underserved areas like Chattral where access to basic amenities remains a challenge.

Qureshi has urged the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana, and the District Development Commissioner Poonch to take immediate cognizance of the matter. He appealed for an inquiry into the delay and sought swift measures to ensure that the hand pumps are installed without further loss of time.

“The government must fix responsibility and ensure that such lapses are not repeated. People in rural areas cannot be made to suffer due to official apathy,” he said.

The incident has once again highlighted gaps in the implementation of developmental projects at the grassroots level, with locals demanding greater accountability and timely execution of sanctioned works.