Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 31: Deputy Commissioner, Sanjeev Verma convened a meeting of district officers to discuss arrangements being put in place for smooth conduct of Jhiri Mela, which is celebrated every year and is thronged by lakhs of devotees.
The Jhiri Mela being held in memory of farmer and great saint Baba Jitto, who alongwith his daughter Bua Kauri fought and sacrificed their lives to ensure justice to his people against the feudal system.
DDC asked the officers to maintain close coordination between the Management Committee and different agencies associated with the mela to ensure successful conduct of this annual event. He gave thrust for ensuring availability of un-interrupted power, water supply and adequate stock of medicines and other essentials at the mela site. He also asked for ensuring proper sanitation in the mela.
He directed R&B Department to ensure better road connectivity to Jhiri temple and adjoining areas. It was also decided in the meeting that BDO Marh, who is appointed as Nodel Officer for the mela, will ensure construction of additional sanitary units and renovation of the existing ones.
Mr. Verma enjoined upon the officers to gear up preparations to ensure smooth conduct of this historical event and make it more alluring for the pilgrims and tourists who visit this Mela in large numbers from within and outside the State.
The DDC directed the concerned officer to constitute special teams to check overcharging during the mela. These teams will ensure that the stall holders and other selling food items and other articles will display rate lists at their establishments. He also directed the concerned agencies for keeping vigil on the quality of food items being sold.
Other arrangements discussed during the meeting included ensuring adequate stocks of ration, LPG and fire wood, provisions for the accommodation of the devotees, deployment of fire tenders at the venue, registration of food stalls, setting up of stalls by various departments and conduct of various cultural programmes during the mela.
MLA Marh, Ch. Sukhnandan, MLA Raipur Domana Bodh Raj besides members of mela committee besides senior officers of various departments were also present in the meeting.