Associated News Bureau

DDC Shopian Directs Completion of Jal Shakti Works Before Winter, Orders Salary Withholding Over Poor Performance

SHOPIAN, OCTOBER 15: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Shopian, Charandeep Singh, on Thursday chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Jal Shakti Department, including its Public Health Engineering (PHE), Irrigation and Flood Control wings, to assess the progress of ongoing works and the delivery of essential services across the district. During the meeting, the DDC directed the concerned officers to expedite the execution of pending works and ensure their completion before the onset of winter. He particularly emphasised the need to complete the remaining works under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to achieve the scheme's objectives at the earliest. Stressing the importance of providing safe and regular drinking water to all habitations, Charandeep Singh directed the officers to maintain prescribed water quality standards and ensure the proper functioning of water supply infrastructure. The DDC also set activity-wise targets for the completion of works and the Har Ghar Jal certification of villages. He called for close monitoring, effective inter-departmental coordination and timely resolution of bottlenecks to achieve the targets within the stipulated deadlines. Emphasising the need for responsive public service delivery, the DDC directed the officers to accord priority to public grievances, particularly those concerning drinking water supply and other essential services. He further stressed that works addressing pressing public needs and delivering tangible benefits to residents must be prioritised. Reviewing the progress of irrigation projects and flood control measures, the DDC instructed the concerned officers to accelerate the execution of ongoing works while maintaining quality standards and adhering to approved specifications. He also directed the departments to intensify field inspections, closely monitor progress and ensure accountability in the implementation of assigned works. Taking a stern view of the Irrigation Department's poor performance, the DDC ordered the withholding of salaries of the concerned department's employees over unsatisfactory performance. The meeting was attended by the Chief Planning Officer, the Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic Circle Shopian-Pulwama, Executive Engineers of the Jal Shakti PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control divisions, besides engineers from the concerned departments.