The government today clarified that there is no proposal for establishment of a new PHE Division at Achabal as the area is effectively being catered by the PHE Sub-Division Anantnag and PHE Sub-Division Kokernag.
Replying to a question raised by Legislator Abdul Majeed bhat in the House, Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, informed that Acahbal area falls under the jurisdiction of Jal Shakti (PHE) Division Bijbehara. He said that Achabal area is being effectively catered by the PHE Sub-Division Anantnag and PHE Sub-Division Kokernag, which together manage 157 Water Supply Schemes (WSSs) covering 31,448 households.
Javed Rana said that since a large number of operational WSSs are functioning efficiently with a balanced workload, there is presently no functional or administrative justification for creation of a separate PHE Division at Achabal.
The Minister informed that out of the total, 70 Water Supply Schemes feeding the area have been taken up under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), UT Capex and NABARD at an estimated cost of Rs. 17,182.02 lakh. Of which, 52 schemes have already been operational. He said that the remaining are at various stages of execution.
He further informed that the division has a substantial number of operational schemes and the existing Sub-Division-wise workload remains within manageable limits.
Legislators Altaf Ahmad wani and Hasnain Masoodi raised supplementary questions.