Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: Following heavy and continuous snowfall in Kashmir Valley and parts of Jammu Division, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam held an extensive video conference with the divisional and district administration of Kashmir and Jammu Division and impressed upon them to work 24×7 to ensure that power supply is restored and roads are cleared of snow by Friday evening.
At the outset, Chief Secretary observed that Lieutenant Governor in his first informal interaction with the Administrative Secretaries at Civil Secretariat Srinagar emphasised on complete winter preparedness so that in the event of harsh winter, all basic necessities in particular power, water, food and petroleum products are made available to people without any interruption. He had also stressed upon gearing up the official machinery to keep in readiness the restoration / contingency plans in this regard.
Administrative Secretaries of PDD and DMRR&R and Additional DG SDRF and Home Guard, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Jammu, DC Reasi and other officers attended the meeting. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and DCs of Kashmir Division participated through Video Conference.
Chief Secretary directed divisional and district administration Kashmir to ensure that the action plan for restoration of power supply is implemented swiftly and damaged power lines restored by Friday evening i.e 8th of November, 2019. “Along with undertaking the restoration of the damaged transmission lines, simultaneously, also activate the Emergency Restoration System”, Chief Secretary stressed on Chief Engineers of PDD and added that restoration of power supply is critical for functioning of other services and resumption of routine activities.
Chief Secretary directed Commissioner/ Secretary, PDD to ensure that the buffer stock of transformers earmarked for distribution reach all the districts by next Monday. Commissioner/ Secretary, PDD was also asked to look into the requirement of transformers for the receiving stations in District Anantnag and District Bandipora. He was also asked to look into issues relating to power in Kishtwar and Poonch Districts of Jammu Division. The PDD was further directed to prune the trees coming in the alignment of transmission lines immediately after the weather improves.
Chief Secretary directed Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to keep him updated regarding the restoration of power supply thrice a day.
Chief Secretary also directed Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to ensure supply of potable water to people including through water tanks, where ever, needed.
He received brief from the DCs regarding damage to orchards, standing crops, apple produce, transformers, transmission lines, road clearance and about the stock and supply position. He asked DCs to constitute teams to assess the damage caused to the orchards and other crops after weather improves and submit their reports through their respective Divisional Commissioners.
Chief Secretary asked the Health Department to ensure that hospitals have adequate heating arrangements, availability of medicine/facilities; and alternate power source (gensets/fuel) and funds required on this count should be immediately projected to the Government to obviate any difficulty.
He asked DCs to project requirement of additional snow ploughs, snow cutters and requirement of funds to clear the past liabilities on account of snow clearance through Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.
Preparedness with regard to snow/ landslide clearance, traffic management, rescue plan and facilities for stranded passengers/truckers along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and other important roads was also discussed in the meeting. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu apprised about the position of National Highway in the wake of incessant rainfall and the position of major roads across other districts. IGP Kashmir was directed to take necessary steps for regulation of traffic on the National Highway in consultation with the traffic police authorities.
Chief Secretary asked the School Education Department to ensure that adequate heating and lighting facilities are available in the examination centres.
He also took stock of availability and stocking of ration, Gas, Petroleum, K oil and other essential food items in Kashmir division including snow bound remote areas. He expressed satisfaction that all districts have adequate stocks for 4 months available in their stores. He directed Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department (FCS&CA) to ensure that there is no shortage of ration, k-oil, cooking gas and petroleum products. Chief Secretary asked Secretary, FCS&CA to immediately look into the issue of winter stocking in district Kathua.
Chief Secretary asked Secretary, DMRR&R to immediately liaise with Principal Secretary, Civil Aviation on the commencement of the air services to the snow bound areas. He also directed for setting up of a Help Desk at the Srinagar Airport for convenience of the stranded passengers.
Chief Secretary also directed the DCs to sanction ex-gratia as per SDRF norms to the NoKs of the persons who lost their lives in the snowfall. He also advised the DCs to undertake restoration works immediately, wherever, required as per SDRF norms.
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