J&K Budget Session 2026: Jal Shakti Minister Confirms FIRs Filed in PHE Equipment Theft Cases; Vows Protection of Public Assets
JAMMU, April 04, 2026 — Addressing concerns over the security of vital utility infrastructure, Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmad Rana, informed the Legislative Assembly today that the government has initiated strict legal action following reports of equipment theft.
Replying to a Calling Attention Notice moved by Legislator Devyani Rana during the 2026 Budget Session, the Minister confirmed that FIRs have been lodged with the relevant law enforcement agencies regarding the theft of transformers and allied Public Health Engineering (PHE) equipment.
He emphasized that the administration is treating these incidents with high priority to ensure that public services are not disrupted by criminal activities.The Minister highlighted the massive scale of infrastructure development currently underway, noting that the Jal Shakti Department is executing 3,253 water supply schemes across the Union Territory under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
With a vast inventory of both new and pre-existing assets spread across diverse terrains, the Minister explained that safeguarding these resources involves a combination of regular departmental monitoring and the deployment of field manpower.
He clarified that for schemes currently under execution, the legal and physical custody—and the subsequent responsibility for protection—lies with the executing agencies until the projects are formally completed and handed over.
To create a more sustainable and secure environment for these assets, the government is increasingly leaning toward grassroots involvement.
Minister Rana informed the House that the department is actively empowering Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) and Paani Samitis to foster a sense of community ownership.
By involving local stakeholders, the government aims to establish a decentralized surveillance network that protects infrastructure from vandalism and theft, ensuring that the substantial investments made into providing potable water to every household remain secure and functional.