Orders Uninterrupted Power & Water Supply, Timely Clearance Of Snow; Smooth Flow of Transport On National & State Highways
Srinagar- Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Tuesday directed officers to ensure coordinated action plans are put in place for uninterrupted power & water supply, round the clock availability of public utilities, smooth flow of traffic on the highways besides timely clearance of the snow from the roads, lanes and by-lanes.
Sinha passed these directions while chairing a high level meeting to review the winter preparedness of various departments across the Union Territory, an official spokesperson said Tuesday.
The LG, he said, asked every department and key stakeholders should be far better prepared for this winter than last winter.
“To keep men and machines running well throughout the winter season, we need to make the response system more resilient to harsh conditions. Advance arrangements should be made for higher reaches and those areas where access is limited during the winters,” Sinha said.
“Connectivity, hospitals, power & water supply and educational institutions should be the priority of the administration. Dedicated power supply must be ensured for the hospitals and water supply schemes,” he added.
The spokesperson said that the LG directed the officers to ensure coordinated action plans are in place for uninterrupted power & water supply, round the clock availability of public utilities, ration, medicines and other necessities.
He said that while reviewing the plan prepared for the three important stretches – Patnitop, Jakhani – Banihal and Banihal – Qazigund of NH-44, the meeting was informed that the Panthyal tunnel and T5 will be ready by December 15 this year.
According to the spokesperson, the LG also sought details from the departments and agencies on availability of snow clearance machines and cutters, besides seeking report from the concerned departments to ensure smooth flow of movement on National & State Highways, major, inter district and PMGSY roads and Airport road.
The LG, he said, passed strict directions to the officials for timely clearance of the snow from the roads, lanes and by-lanes of Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
“Disciplinary action will be taken for lack of accountability and services during winters,” Sinha said.
The meeting was also informed that SMC has 43 snow plough tractors and deployment plan of 3500 sanitation workers and labourers is ready.
The spokesperson said that the LG asked the Airport authority and the concerned departments to share responsibility for snow clearance. He further said that the meeting decided to hand over the structure to the airport authority for lodging of passengers in case of delayed flights.
“The chair was informed that a robust mechanism has been laid down where a citizen can raise the issue related to snow clearance through the Meri Sadak app and speedy action will be taken to address the same,” he said.
The LG, he said, also asked the departments to explore modalities for timely snow clearance from village roads and ensure uninterrupted power supply and connectivity to tourist places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
The spokesperson said that Divisional Commissioners and executing agencies were advised to make a detailed plan to keep the Sinthan top open for vehicular movement during winters.
Sinha, he said, further directed the officers to ensure buffer stock of transformers, timely and speedy repairing & changing of the damaged Transformers.
“Only minimum scheduled power curtailment should be done in metered areas,” the LG said.
The spokesperson further said that Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited was directed to ensure 100 % coverage of electric meters in Srinagar, while explicit direction was passed for making heating arrangements in health, educational institutions and Civil Secretariat.
“Submit traffic plans in advance to ensure there is no constraint to essential supplies,” the LG asked the officials.
The meeting, the spokesperson said, was informed that special efforts are being made for timely treatment and medical care of the pregnant women from snow bound and higher reaches areas.
He said that a detailed presentation was also given on Avalanche warning, prevention of horticulture, Helicopter services to cut off areas, advisories to the people regarding slippage of snow from rooftop.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioners Jammu and Kashmir; IGP Traffic; Chairman and Managing Directors of Power Corporations and senior officials of Civil Administration, Police Department, BRO, NHIDCL, NHAI and other executing agencies attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode, at Civil Secretariat.
Mobile Veterinary Unit Scheme
Meanwhile Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday that for holistic growth of agriculture & allied sectors, his government has identified key areas where Jammu and Kashmir has a core competence for integrated action.
“We have decided to achieve certain goals with clear targets. It is our responsibility to fully support our farmers in building a bright future for themselves and the society,” Sinha said.
The LG made these remarks while jointly inaugurating ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) programme and Mobile Veterinary Unit Scheme in J&K along with Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Parshottam Rupala here on Tuesday, an official spokesperson said.
Addressing the gathering, he said, the LG expressed deepest gratitude to PM Narendra Modi and Union Minister Rupala for implementing the scheme and launch of 50 State-of-the-Art Mobile Veterinary Units to provide veterinary health services at the doorsteps.
“The new initiative will play a significant role in vaccination, breeding, and livestock extension programs” Sinha said.
“Now the veterinary Hospital is just a call away. Dairy farmers can dial 1962 on phone and a Mobile Veterinary Unit, equipped with State-of-the-Art veterinary diagnostic and treatment accessories, a qualified Veterinarian, a Para-Vet, will be at their door step,” he added.
Pointing out that women have played a crucial role in sustaining the household incomes by participating in the agricultural activities including livestock rearing, the LG, as per spokesperson said that tangible interventions in livestock sector can guarantee increase in household income and women empowerment.
“Although the livestock sector offers tremendous opportunities for women but till now institutional support was lacking. This gap will be filled with the launch of A-HELP program,” the LG said.
“For holistic growth of agriculture & allied sector, we have identified key areas where J&K UT has a core competence for integrated action. We have decided to achieve certain goals with clear targets. It is our responsibility to fully support our farmers in building a bright future for themselves and the society,” he added.
Noting that agriculture & allied sector is full of self-confidence today and is marching forward on the path to progress, the LG, as per the spokesperson, informed that an apex committee has already laid down the road map and assured the farmers that no region in the country has developed such model.
Sinha, he said, further sought participation of all stakeholders for the effective implementation of the recommendations of the apex committee on the ground.
The spokesperson said that the LG further stated that dedicated efforts of Self Help Groups and Cooperatives are complemented by the government support to strengthen the entire value-chain from milk production, processing to marketing so that farmers can receive higher prices and improve their quality of life.
“Milk Self Help Groups and Farmer Producers Organisations established by JKRLM will be called as village level dairy Cooperative Societies and they will become eligible for various benefits provided under different central sector schemes,” Sinha said.
The LG, the spokesperson said, emphasized that Dairy farmers have played a key role in making J&K UT self-sufficient in milk production, and asked the Animal Husbandry Department and Cooperatives to work closely together at every step to meet the future challenges.
He said that it was informed that 50% cost is being borne by the UT administration to ensure increased ownership of Dairy units by women and weaker sections, and encouraging entrepreneurs to buy milk chilling unit, milk parlor, milk processing unit or milk van.
“Prevention of Lumpy Skin Disease is one of the major priorities of the government. I am seeking report from the districts from time to time and directed the Animal Husbandry Department and Deputy Commissioners to take special measures for the prevention of the disease,” the LG added.
Earlier, the Union Minister, who presided over the launch ceremony, congratulated the UT government and the people of J&K on the beginning of a new era in Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Health Care sector and becoming the first UT to launch Mobile Veterinary Unit Scheme.
According to the spokesperson, Rupala assured full support from the Union Ministry to the UT Government for development and growth of the Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and the Dairy sector.
Further, he said, the Union Minister said that record number of tourists visiting the UT speaks volumes about the new and changed Jammu Kashmir.
“He also expressed his affection towards the language, culture and the warm hospitality of the people of J&K,” the spokesperson said.
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