Jammu Calamity: Politicians united in opposing anti-encroachment drives: Dr Jitendra
Jammu, Aug 30: Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday, sharing his concern over recent devastating floods in Jammu, observed that whenever an anti-encroachment drive was launched in the region, politicians across parties came together and opposed it.
“Ironically, this is one common interest which instantly makes them forget all political or ideological differences,” he stated in an interview with a news agency in the wake of the current weather calamity affecting the Jammu region.
Dr Jitendra, who is also the Union Minister (independent charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, besides being the MoS for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, expressed disappointment at the lack of cooperation across the society and the polity even on issues of common concern.
He said, “It has been my experience that whenever in the past an attempt was made for course correction with the noble objective of preventing any future catastrophes, the issue was immediately converted into a political campaign, and unfortunately, along with the political parties, several of the social organisations, including the trade organisations, vehemently came forward to stop the move.”
“So much so that there is pressure sought to be built from all quarters to get the concerned Deputy Commissioner or District Mining Officer, who dares to initiate a drive, to be transferred out as if he has committed a grave sin,” lamented Dr Jitendra.
The Union Minister said that anyone could go through the past records and see for himself that on each occasion, the moment an anti-encroachment drive was launched, it immediately boiled into a big controversy, and unfortunately, even the apparently well-meaning social organisations and trade bodies tactically joined hands to thwart the move.
He said, “There are certain common concerns which have the potential to equally affect every household and every family, and it is very illusionary to think that inappropriate activity to make quick money will be only at the cost of others and not their own kith and kin, because the same bridges and same roads are used also by the family members and children of the ones who cause harm to these structures in one way or the other.”
Over the years, the minister lamented, in most of the cities and towns, like Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur, it had virtually become a norm to encroach upon the vacant space, wherever available.
“The result is, if it was a drainage channel, then there would be a tendency to cover it by extending the fore-wall of the house or the boundary wall of the commercial establishment, and if it was a big nullah or khadd, the tendency would be to raise a mall or a business complex. The time has come to look within ourselves and introspect about our own conduct and take a solemn vow not to indulge in this act,” he said.
Referring to the government’s initiatives in this regard, Dr Jitendra said, ‘Besides the anti-encroachment drives and the move against illegal mining, the Government of India also launched a national mission for Himalayan Ecological Sustainability, and the Survey of India placed important inputs on websites.’
“But all of this would be meaningful only if each one of us is conscious of the integrity to follow the norms and principles. No law on earth or no police enforcement can compensate for the lack of integrity on the part of a citizen,” he added.
“After the present catastrophe is over, it will be a good idea for all the sections of society as well as the civil society representatives to sit together and work out a viable plan to ensure that at least the next generation of our children is not made to endure what we have gone through in the last few weeks,” the union minister said.
