Jaipur: Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot Saturday accused the state govt of using prohibitory orders to suppress protests in Jodhpur instead of addressing a worsening electricity and drinking water crisis in the city.Raising concerns over the Rajiv Gandhi Lift Project, Gehlot claimed that work on Phase III of the scheme had come to a standstill despite payments of around Rs 1,200 crore already being made out of the project’s estimated cost of Rs 1,400 crore.He said the project, originally scheduled for completion by March 2025, was now uncertain until at least March 2027 due to issues related to alleged corruption, route changes and forest clearances.In a statement posted on X, Gehlot alleged that the govt had invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, formerly Section 144 of the CrPC, to curb protests and restrict freedom of expression amid growing public anger over disrupted basic services.Questioning the govt’s handling of the situation, Gehlot said that despite Jodhpur being represented by Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Parliament and being the home district of Rajasthan Law minister Jogaram Patel, residents were facing severe hardship due to the breakdown of electricity and water supply systems.He also accused the govt of making “false claims” about smooth drinking water supply and alleged that police personnel were being deployed to suppress public resentment.“The govt is unable to provide even electricity and water. The public is asking whether the state treasury is empty or whether those involved in corruption are busy filling their own homes,” Gehlot said, urging the BJP govt to end what he termed “repressive policies” and provide immediate relief to residents affected by the crisis.
