JKNS Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 22 (JKNS): Doda MLA Mehraj Malik on Tuesday raised concerns over electricity billing and water supply issues in his constituency, alleging that people are facing hardships despite basic services remaining unavailable.
Malik as per news agency JKNS, said while speaking in the assembly that, in several areas, electricity meters had allegedly not been read, yet bills were being generated. “Till date, the meter has not been read. Electricity has not even come to [the area], but the electricity bill has been made,” he said.
He said people were being burdened with electricity bills and claimed that some residents had paid around Rs 60,000 towards electricity-related charges.
Raising the issue of water supply, Malik said people in his area had been waiting for water connections for nearly two years despite the required pipeline being only a short distance away.
“What crime have my people committed that for two years, the pipe connection is not being connected, whether it is 10 metres or 100 metres? This is shameful,” Malik said.
He alleged that one officer and one contractor were causing difficulties for people and urged the government to take action.
Malik also questioned the execution of development works, alleging that engineers had repeatedly prepared estimates and that contractors were subsequently executing works at substantially lower amounts.
“For the past two years, continuously, the estimates are being made by the engineers—for Rs one lakh—and our contractor in the village picks it up for Rs 50,” he said.
He demanded details regarding the number of tenders issued against the estimates and sought accountability over the execution and quality of works.
“Water should be provided first,” Malik said, urging the government to address the grievances of people in his constituency on priority. (JKNS)
