Mawer residents rue lack of drinking water supply
The residents of Jahama and Shatgund Balla villages of Mawer area Sunday expressed strong resentment against the Jal Shakti Department for failing to restore drinking water even after the passage of over fifteen days.
The residents said that a new water supply scheme is being laid in the village but the old one has been disconnected before the new one, thereby leaving locals without water.
The residents said that they were forced to use contaminated and unhygienic water from Hardkhari rivulet which poses a serious threat to get infected with water borne diseases.
A local told Greater Kashmir that the women of these two villages are forced to fetch water by covering a considerable distance. “We have brought this issue into the notice of the concerned authorities multiple times in the past but to no avail,” he added.
The residents have once again requested the Jal Shakti Department to restore their water at the earliest so that their hardships may end.
Lachmpora health centre lacks adequate facilities
Government Health and Wellness Centre located in Lachampora, a remote village in Upper Rajwar Handwara craves for adequate healthcare facilities as the centre is under staffed and lacks basic amenities.
The residents said that only a few employees were posted here who seldom turn to the centre resulting in hardships to the locals with regard to treatment. “The centre is in deplorable condition and remains shut for most of the time,” said a local.
According to residents, whenever any medical emergency arises, they are forced to book a private cab to reach PHC Zachaldara or District Hospital Handwara to avail healthcare.
The residents said that the health centre was operating in the house of a local resident without the required infrastructure needed for the smooth functioning of the health centre.
“Although a five room building was constructed for our health centre a few years ago, the payment of more than seven lakh is still pending due to which the contractor has locked the building, demanding release of his payment,” said Bilal Ahamd, a local while talking to Greater Kashmir.
The health centre caters to a huge chunk of the population. However, it fails to meet the expectations of patients due to lack of staff, infrastructure and key diagnostic facilities.
The residents have sought immediate intervention of Chief Medical Officer Kupwara Dr Mohammad Ramzan in this regard so that the hardships being faced by the people may end.