49 Water Supply Schemes serving 50 villages in Lolab, Machil: Jal Shakti Minister

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 06: Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, today informed the Legislative Assembly that 49 operational Water Supply Schemes (WSSs) are catering to the water requirements of 50 villages in Lolab and Machil area.
He was replying to a question raised by MLA, Qaysar Jamshaid Lone.
The Minister apprised that the water supply schemes are being regularly maintained which continue to meet the drinking water needs of the population.
The Jal Shakti Minister further stated that to address water scarcity in deficit areas, the government has established 16 new borewell/dugwell sources and 17 new spring/nallah sources under various ongoing programmes over the last three years
He added that four more sources are currently under development, covering 22 new Water Supply Schemes (WSS) under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and UT CAPEX. Out of these, 12 schemes are already operational, while the remaining are at various stages of implementation.
He added that upon completion, these schemes will substantially strengthen the water supply infrastructure and ensure sustainable access to safe drinking water as per the prescribed standards (55 LPCD).
The Minister further said that the department is taking necessary measures to address the drinking water shortage areas through tanker service, whenever and wherever needed.
Legislators Qaysar Jamshaid Lone, Saifullah Mir and Javid Hassan Baig raised supplementaries on the question.
Qaysar Jamshaid Lone highlighted that significant improvements have been achieved due to the timely intervention of the Minister but stressed that the existing network requires urgent upgradation to meet the growing demands.
Responding to the concerns, Javed Ahmed Rana acknowledged that challenges persist and noted that the situation has been further compounded by drought conditions and other natural disasters. He thanked the Chief Minister for his continued support and stated that efforts are underway to address the constraints.
The Minister further assured that issues faced by the rural and hilly areas would be examined on priority, with necessary directions to be issued accordingly.
The Minister also said that directions have been issued to the concerned officers for timely utilization of resources so that sanctioned funds are not surrendered. He emphasized that Legislators who raised the supplementaries, must actively monitor the implementation of works to ensure timely and effective execution.
Govt allots 5 marla land to 506 families under PMAY-G across J&K, 435 others under consideration: Javid Dar
The Government today informed the House that 506 families have been alloted 5 marla of land across J&K under PMAY-G while 435 such other cases are under consideration of the Revenue authorities. .
This was stated by Minister Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, while replying to a question raised by Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami.
The Minister added that the government has taken necessary steps for assessment and survey of landless and houseless families under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. He stated that under PMAY-Gramin Phase I (RDD), a comprehensive survey has been conducted to identify the landless and houseless families from the Permanent Waiting List (PWL), which has been fully saturated across the Union Territory.
The Minister further said that the beneficiary-wise list, including that of Kulgam district, has been finalized and land has been allotted to the eligible beneficiaries after due verification in accordance with the scheme guidelines. He added that as per PMAY-G norms, the eligible beneficiaries are entitled to allotment of land measuring 5 marla and are required to complete construction of their houses within one year from the date of sanction.
Regarding urban areas, the Minister informed that an assessment/survey has been undertaken by the Housing & Urban Development Department under PMAY-Urban 2.0 to identify the landless and houseless families across Jammu & Kashmir. He added that the identified beneficiaries from the Permanent Waiting List available on the Awaas Soft Portal have been forwarded to the concerned Deputy Commissioners for necessary verification as per the prescribed norms.
The Minister said that PMAY-Urban 2.0 does not provide for allotment of land, instead the eligible landless and houseless families are provided housing support mainly through flats under the Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) vertical, subject to eligibility and availability.
Regarding construction timelines, the Minister stated that houses under the BLC vertical are typically completed within 12-18 months from the release of the first instalment, while those under the AHP vertical, constructed by implementing agencies, are usually completed within 18-24 months from the date of sanction.
The Minister assured the House that the government is committed to provide housing to the landless and houseless families in a transparent and time-bound manner. He emphasized that no eligible beneficiary will be deprived of benefits under PMAY, while due process and scheme guidelines will be strictly followed.
Govt committed to provide 200 units of free electricity to AAY families, project nears final approval: Sakeena Itoo
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the House that the government is committed to provide monthly 200 units of free electricity to every household of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category in Jammu and Kashmir and the project, in this regard, is at its final stage of approval.
The Minister stated this while replying to a question raised by Shakti Raj Parihar regarding Power sector on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The Minister stated that Doda district currently faces power cuts ranging from 3 to 6 hours daily, as per the load curtailment programme, excluding additional shedding by the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) due to overall power availability. She noted that certain areas of the district, including Prem Nagar, Dhara, Thathri, Bhatyas, Gandoh, and Bhalessa, experience extra curtailment due to system constraints such as long feeder lengths, capacity limitations, voltage issues, and technical losses.
She said that the government has launched the Amnesty Scheme for Domestic power consumers by waiving of interest/surcharge on accumulated dues, which is expiring on 31.03.2026.
The Minister added that the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) is a Government of India (GoI) initiative aimed at improving the distribution infrastructure and enhancing the efficiency of the power distribution system in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. She said that PESL Limited has been engaged as Project Implementation Agency (PIA) on behalf of JPDCL in Doda district and RDSS Doda Package has been awarded to M/s Vijay Electricals by PESL on 08.09.2023.
The Minister informed that the overall physical progress of RDSS works in Doda district stood at 31% as of January-end. She added that out of 41 feeders, 15 fall under Doda West Constituency, with execution works currently underway on 13 feeders.
She said that the smart metering is under implementation in three phases in J&K viz. Phase-I and Phase-II under PMDP and Phase-III under RDSS. She added that under PMDP, a total of 6,45,738 smart meters have been installed, comprising 1,25,367 under PMDP Phase-I and 5,20,371 under PMDP Phase-II.
The Minister also informed that the process for recruitment of Junior Engineers, Tech-III, Junior Assistants and Junior Stenographers under direct recruitment quota has been initiated. She added that for vacant posts of promotion quota, concerned DPCs have been directed to fill-up these posts by conducting District Level Departmental Promotion on immediate basis.
J&K closes 158 Stone Crushers, Hot Mix Plants for environmental violations: Javed Rana
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered closure of 158 Stone Crushers and Hot Mix Plants from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2026, found operating in violation of established norms.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Ajaz Ahmad Jan, Forest, Ecology & Environment Minister, Javed Ahmed Rana said that the J&K Pollution Control Committee has issued directions under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974 for closure of these 158 units.
Regarding the compliance of Stone Crushers and Hot Mix plants with the established norms, he informed the House that the units are granted Consent to Establish only if they comply with the criteria and after checking of adequacy of Pollution Control Devices (PCDs) as prescribed by JK PCC under Water Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
He said that the directions issued by National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court of India from time to time have been complied in letter and spirit and legal action is initiated against the violators under the environmental Law.
The Minister further underlined that specific steps are being taken to protect the river ecology, prevent pollution linked to illegal mining and ensure accountability within JKPCB under environmental laws.
Javed Rana said that all river bed mining projects in Jammu & Kashmir are being mandatorily regulated through the Environmental Clearance (EC) mechanism.
The Minister stated that the Jammu & Kashmir Environment Impact Assessment Authority (JKEIAA) prescribes standard and project-specific environmental conditions when granting Environmental Clearance (EC). These conditions are legally binding and aim to protect river ecology, prevent pollution and environmental degradation from mining activities and ensure accountability of project proponents and regulatory authorities, including monitoring and compliance with the environmental laws.
Javed Rana stated that Project Proponent are mandated to undertake the mining strictly in compliance with the Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016.
Further, the Mining Blocks also require consent from the J&K Pollution Control Committee and the project proponents are required to adopt measures like water sprinkling in the mining area, covering of material with sheets while transporting and mining operations are permitted only during the day time i.e. from 8 AM to 6 PM.
He further said that with the advent of remote sensing and GIS tools, the distances are cross-checked on such platforms for issuance of distance certificates. He added that the distance certificate viz-a-viz Siting Criteria is provided by the concerned line departments while performing cross-checking on GIS platforms, so that report of incorrect distances by field staff does not arise.
Housing projects taken up across J&K to cater to housing needs of local population: Sakeena Itoo
The Government today informed the House that J&K Housing Board, through JDA and SDA, has taken up Housing Projects at various places in Jammu and Kashmir to cater to the housing needs of local population.
This was stated by Minister for Education Sakeena Itoo in the Legislative Assembly today while replying to a question on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The question was asked by Legislator Nizamuddin Bhat on behalf of Legislator Tariq Hameed Karra in the House.
The Minister informed the House that SDA has taken up Shehjar Heights Apartments project along National High way Bemina by-pass on estimated cost of Rs. 84.78 crore, wherein 112 flats (56 flats 2BHK and 56 flats 3BHK) are being offered to the general public. She added that the applications have been invited on https://www.jkhm.in with last date on 20th February, 2026 and project is expected to be completed within 24 months i.e. 2027-28.
The Minister also informed that Srinagar Development Authority has proposed to develop a Satellite Township on 150 hectares of land along National Highway Bypass, Bemina, Srinagar (Rakhi Gund Aksha), adding that the Project is under process and will be commissioned once the DPRs are submitted by the agency.
Giving further details, the Minister said that J&K Housing Board, through JDA and SDA, has taken up Housing Projects at various places. These included development of Mass Housing Colony at Chak Bhalwal Jammu, proposed construction of flatted accommodation at Bhalwal Jammu, development of Mass Housing Colony at Chowadhi Jammu, development of mass housing colony at Birpur, tehsil Bari Brahman in Samba, development of Housing Colony at Chatterhama Srinagar, development of Housing Colony/Flatted accommodation at Bakoora, Ganderbal, development of Integrated Mass Housing Colony at Watapora, Tehsil and District Bandipora and development of Mass Housing Colony (flatted accommodation) at Padgampura, Pulwama.
She informed that the proposed projects will reserve 20% of housing units for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low-Income Group (LIG) categories, as per the Jammu and Kashmir Housing, Affordable Housing, Slum Redevelopment and Rehabilitation and Township Policy 2020. The EWS category is defined as households with an annual income up to Rs. 3 lakh.
Legislator, Mubarik Gul raised supplementary question on the subject.