Srinagar, Sep 11 (KNS): Social activist and columnist Ahmad Ayaz has raised concerns over the functioning of the Jal Shakti Department, alleging gaps in drinking water supply and public grievance redressal in several areas.

Ayaz said that despite temperatures beginning to fall, residents in several localities continue to face difficulties in getting a regular and reliable drinking water supply.

He also questioned the absence of a grievance-redressal mechanism that, he said, should be easily accessible and responsive to public complaints, similar to systems available with departments such as the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

Referring to a recent incident in the HMT area, Ayaz said residents were unable to arrange even a small-sized water tanker for a residential locality where roads are only around 10 to 12 feet wide.

He said the response from the department was that small-sized water tankers were not available.

“If the department cannot respond to such a basic and practical requirement of residents, one is compelled to ask what is the purpose of having a department with thousands of engineers and other employees, a huge workforce and extensive infrastructure if it cannot ensure something as fundamental as drinking water and timely grievance redressal?Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel” Ayaz said.

He said the issue goes beyond water supply and raises questions about accountability and public service delivery.

“It is fundamentally a question of accountability, responsiveness and the quality of public service delivery. People do not expect miracles from the administration. They expect basic services, a functioning grievance-redressal mechanism and a responsive officer or system when a genuine public need arises,” he said.

Ayaz said the Jal Shakti Department, being responsible for providing drinking water, should be assessed on the basis of the reliability and accessibility of its services to the public.

“A department entrusted with such a fundamental responsibility must be judged not by the size of its establishment, but by the quality, reliability and responsiveness of the services it provides to the people,” he said.

He urged the authorities to strengthen the department’s grievance-redressal mechanism, ensure regular drinking water supply and make practical arrangements, including the availability of appropriately sized tankers, for residents of narrow and congested residential areas.(KNS)