 Early Times Report
SAMBA, Sept 18: J&K Apni Party Provincial President S. Manjit Singh today visited the Scheduled Tribe habitation of Marhi Khui in Anandpur Panchayat of Purmandal Block, Samba district, and expressed serious concern over the lack of basic civic amenities and infrastructure in the area.
During his visit, Manjit Singh interacted with local residents and heard their grievances regarding drinking water, electricity supply, road connectivity, mobile communication and access to essential public services. He said the situation in the area highlighted the need for focused attention towards remote tribal habitations, where geographical challenges often compound deficiencies in basic infrastructure.
Manjit Singh said that ST families living in such areas should not be compelled to struggle for facilities that are fundamental to a dignified life. He stressed that the success of development should ultimately be judged by the difference it makes to ordinary people, particularly those living in remote and underserved habitations.
Taking a sharp dig at the government's claims of doing "a lot" for the Scheduled Tribe community, Manjit Singh said that the situation on the ground presents a starkly different picture. He said that while announcements and claims about tribal welfare and development continue to be made, the condition of habitations such as Marhi Khui raises serious questions about how effectively these initiatives are reaching the people for whom they are intended.
"The government may claim that a great deal is being done for the ST community, but the reality on the ground is entirely different. The reality is ugly. If an ST habitation still struggles for a concrete road, reliable drinking water, uninterrupted electricity and basic connectivity decades after Independence, then the government must answer why these fundamental facilities have not reached the people," Singh said.
Singh said development cannot be established through statements, figures and announcements alone, but must be visible in the daily lives of tribal families. According to him, the difficulties faced by residents of Marhi Khui demonstrate the need to bridge the gap between government claims and ground-level implementation.
Singh said the government should undertake a transparent assessment of basic infrastructure in tribal habitations and ensure that sanctioned schemes and welfare programmes translate into tangible benefits for the people."The ST community does not need assurances alone; it needs roads, water, power, education, healthcare and connectivity. These are basic rights of citizens, not political favours," he said |
