WE THE PEOPLE
Works without invitation of tenders in 6 PHE Divisions and no water testing in 10 Districts-- matter of grave concern
Hence people urge high level probe to stop financial losses and demand safe drinking water to end health hazards in J&K
By: Zaina Khan
Srinagar: It needs to be stated that financial rules envisage execution of works after ensuring reasonability of rates and economy by inviting tenders. Execution of works departmentally is prohibited except in the case where rates quoted are unreasonably high. But it is startling to learn that in six Divisions of PHE Department works costing Rs. 4.95 crore were executed during 2002 to 2006 by the Executive Engineers departmentally, without observing financial rules. Labour was engaged on hand receipts instead of muster rolls and payments made through mates without indicating details of labour actually engaged. In PHE Division Budgam, 93 works valued at Rs. 1.18 crore were allotted during 2004 to 2006 on ‘Approval Basis’ without invitation of tenders.
It is worth mentioning that under the package announced in April 2003 by the Prime Minister of India for providing drinking water in Kandi and rain fed areas falling between the hill and plain, the State Government formulated a Project in August 2003 for coverage of 955 habitations, 1,262 schools and installation of 2,992 hand pumps in the targeted area in three years (2003-06) time at an estimated cost of Rs. 175.10 crore. The Project was revised in March, 2004 to cover 1,673 habitations, 1,527 schools, installation of 741 hand pumps and purchase of three rigs at a revised cost estimate of Rs 354.75 crore. An amount of Rs. 20 crore was released in February, 2004 by the GOI for the Project. Since no matching share (50 per cent) was released by the State Government, no further funds were released by the GOI during 2004-05. Out of the funds released, the Department installed 229 hand pumps and provided drinking water to 100 schools at a cost of Rs. 2.73 crore and remaining works, on which Rs. 17.27 crore had been spent remained suspended. Thus, failure of the State Government in providing matching funds for completion of the schemes under ‘Kandi Action Plan’ resulted in idle investment of Rs. 37.27 crore. The Department has confirmed that the schemes could not be completed due to non-release of matching State share of Rs. 151 crore by the State Government.
Water quality monitoring and surveillance was to be institutionalized and a ‘Catchment Areas Approach’ adopted by involving grass root level; educational and technical institutions in establishing water quality laboratories to carry out preliminary water testing. Increased involvement of Health Department officials was also to be ensured in surveillance activities. As per standard norm for water quality monitoring, surface and ground water samples are to be tested at least two to four times in a years. In J&K, the source of drinking water in most of the rural schemes is surface and ground water, which remains untested. Out of 14 districts of Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Doda, Jammu, Kargil, Kathua, Kupwara, Leh, Poonch, Pulwama, Rajouri, Srinagar, Udhampur (including Leh and Kargil), 10 districts Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Doda, Kargil, Kathua, Kupwara, Leh, Poonch, Pulwama (71 per cent) had no water testing facility. In Budgam district, a laboratory existed but no water sample had been tested from May 2002 to September 2006, despite presence of technical staff who were paid idle wages of Rs. 4.95 lakh. No water testing facility was set up in Doda district despite water quality problems.
Up to 15 per cent of programme funds were to be earmarked for utilization on providing safe drinking water to rural habitations facing water quality problems like fluorosis, arsenic, brackishness, excess iron content etc; another five per cent for ensuring source sustainability through rain water harvesting and artificial recharge. Despite directions from the GOI to utilize Rs. 75 crore of ARWSP funds released on submission of projects, the Department spent the money on other ARWSP schemes in hand.
A special monitoring cell and investigation unit was required to be created at State Headquarters for monitoring and investigation of water supply schemes by regulating and ensuring quality of construction works and maintenance of water quality date. No such unit has been set up at State level, with the result, there was no mechanism for monitoring the ARWSP works.
Hence people urge high level probe to stop financial losses and demand safe drinking water to end health hazards in J&K. Whether this is done remains to be seen!
More 
