Inqlabi Slams Irrigation Dept’s Apathy, Blames Contractors and Officers for Canal Neglect in Kewal Village

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

BUDHAL SEPT 30:-Senior People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Mohammad Farooq Inqlabi, has strongly condemned the negligence and indifference of the Irrigation Department, Rajouri, towards the plight of the residents of Kewal Village in Budhal. Inqlabi expressed deep concern over the condition of the irrigation kanal, which was damaged during the recent floods and has remained unrestored despite repeated appeals from the villagers.

> “It is deeply unfortunate that the local residents themselves had to come forward and restore the damaged canal with their own hands, while the concerned officials of the Irrigation Department have failed to even visit the site. This is not just administrative failure—it’s an injustice to the people,” Inqlabi said.

He noted that the damage to the kanal had crippled irrigation, shut down water mills, and left livestock without water, pushing the entire village into distress. “This shows how disconnected the administration is from ground realities. Despite multiple representations and calls for help, the silence from the authorities is deafening. It is the duty of the government to support its citizens in times of need—not abandon them,” he added.

Inqlabi squarely blamed the current condition of the kanal on corrupt practices by contractors and the concerned officers of the Irrigation Department. He alleged that substandard material is used every year under the name of repair work, and lakhs of rupees are shown as spent on paper, but there is nothing visible on the ground. “This is not just negligence; it is clear misuse of public money and a betrayal of people’s trust,” he said.

He demanded immediate intervention from higher authorities and called upon the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to order an independent inquiry into the misuse of funds, take strict action against the negligent and corrupt officials, and ensure permanent and quality restoration of the irrigation infrastructure in Kewal Village. “The people of Kewal deserve better. The PDP stands with them in their fight for basic rights,” he concluded.