Srinagar June 26 (KNS): Peoples Democratic Party leader, Iltija Mufti on Thursday criticized the government for failing to maintain lift irrigation schemes in the region, especially during a time when rice saplings is underway across the Kashmir Valley.

Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), She said all the irrigation schemes in the area, which were started by her late father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, are now defunct. “The pumps and motors are not working, and the farmers are suffering,” she said.

She said that the farming and horticulture are the backbone of J&K’s economy, and the government failed to prepare for the drought. Even though water is available in the Jhelum River, farmers can’t use it because the irrigation systems have broken down.

Iltija blamed illegal mining and sand extraction for lowering the riverbed, which causes pumps to burn out. “No desilting has been done. The farmers are doing it themselves.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe Jal Shakti Department is short-staffed and has no Chief Engineer in both Jammu and Kashmir,” she said.

While she appreciated the government’s tourism programs, she said the same attention must be given to farming. “If this is not a mess, then what is?” she asked, urging the authorities to step in and help the struggling farmers.

She also said that If this is not a mess, then what is? If this doesn't qualify as a mess, then tell me – what does? There is no shortage of water – the Jhelum is flowing properly. But there is still a drought, and it’s happening because these irrigation schemes have completely collapsed.

Look, even the desilting is being done by the farmers themselves. Someone from the government must step up. The Jal Shakti Board falls under their jurisdiction they must at least speak up or take some action, she added. (KNS)