GreaterKashmir.com: Srinagar: Wednesday, July 16, 2014.
The Jammu and
Kashmir RTI Movement has accused the state government of putting the lives of
people at stake by failing to test the effect of shelling on drinking water
sources in Tosamaidan area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
A spokesman
of JK RTI Movement said its Chief Spokesperson, Farooq Kuthoo, had filed RTI
application to the Home Department seeking information about the tests
conducted by authorities on the effect of shelling on water bodies in
Tosamaidan.
“In its
reply, the department has revealed that the state government has never tested
the effects of shelling on water bodies in the area and doesn’t have any
records available,”
Kuthoo said.
“The response
of state government is clear indication that it is least bothered about the
precious human, animal and plant life of J &K,” he added.
Quoting a study conducted by SKIMS Soura, he
said there has been rise in cancer cases in Kashmir. “We fear one of the
reasons could be unsafe drinking water supplied by these three streams
originating from Tosamaidan. We demand that a study should be conducted
instantaneously on how hazardous the water is supplied by these streams,” said
Kuthoo.
Dr Shiekh
Ghulam Rasool, Chief Patron Tosamaidan Bachav Front and Chairman J & K RTI
Movement said Nala Sukhnag, Suresh Nala and Nala Ferozpur are the main water
sources to three districts Srinagar, Budgam and partly Baramulla.
“It is
extremely shocking on part of state government that no water testing has been
conducted so far which has put human lives in extreme danger. Now, we are filing first appeal under J &
K RTI Act for details of meetings held by panel constituted by Chief Minster
under Chief Secretary which was assigned the job to study modalities of
alternative land for firing range,” he added.
.JPG)
.JPG)
