Altaf Hussain
MANKOTE, MENDHAR – May 12, 2025:
Residents of Block Mankote in Sub-Division Mendhar, District Poonch, have raised serious allegations of negligence against the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, citing repeated failures in ensuring consistent water supply and alleging irresponsible behavior departmental staff.
The ongoing water crisis in the region has pushed local communities to voice their frustration and disappointment over what they describe as “deliberate carelessness and lack of duty” on the part of PHE field workers. According to locals, despite repeated appeals and complaints, the issue remains unresolved, affecting hundreds of households in the area.
Speaking to The Upholder, residents accused certain PHE staff of gross negligence, particularly in the operation and monitoring of water motor stations.
“Every two to three months, the motors burn out due to staff neglect. They switch on the motors and go home, only returning after two to three hours to switch them off. By then, the motors are either damaged or overloaded,” a local resident said.
This pattern, according to villagers, has become a recurring and predictable failure, costing public funds and causing immense hardship. Entire communities are being forced to walk long distances for basic drinking water, and agriculture and livestock are also suffering due to the ongoing scarcity.
Villagers from several panchayats within Block Mankote expressed deep resentment, saying they feel abandoned the administration. “Is water not a basic right? Are we being punished for living in a remote area?” asked one elder from the region.
They have appealed to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Mendhar to take immediate and strict action against the negligent staff and initiate a full inquiry into the repeated failure of motors and water supply systems in the area.
Furthermore, locals demand the deployment of responsible and accountable personnel who can monitor pump operations effectively and maintain uninterrupted water delivery.
Residents also called upon senior officials in the Jal Shakti Department to visit the affected sites personally and assess the condition of water infrastructure and departmental efficiency.
“The suffering of our women, children, and elderly cannot be ignored any longer. We request the SDM and the District Administration to intervene without further delay and restore the water supply before the situation worsens,” said a local community leader.
