In view of the recent weather forecast predicting rain and snowfall from 5th to 7th October issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, convened an urgent meeting with officials from key departments to review preparedness and mitigation plan.
The meeting was attended by HoDs & representatives from R&B, MED, BEACON, NHIDCL, Urban Local Bodies, IMD, and the Horticulture & Marketing Planning Department.
During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner instructed concerned departments to ensure immediate deployment of personnel and machinery at critical locations to facilitate swift snow clearance.
He stressed the importance of completing the tendering process for the winter snow clearance plan by October 31, and directed the deployment of trained and experienced machinery operators to avoid damage to road infrastructure.
He urged use of High Molecular Weight Polyethylene plastic in snow plows to enhance efficiency and minimize road wear.
He laid focus on the timely restoration of road connectivity to remote and border areas, including the Mughal Road, which serves as a crucial link during winter months.
Meanwhile, Div Com also directed the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) department to ensure advance stocking of ration, LPG, and petroleum products in remote border areas.
Additionally, he emphasized the need for advance distribution of October’s ration to consumers and instructed that a 15-day buffer stock of LPG be maintained in the Kashmir Valley to prevent shortages.
To facilitate the movement of goods, he recommended optimal use of the Mughal Road for the transportation of LPG and dispatch of apple produce.
Director of Horticulture Marketing & Planning was advised to encourage fruit growers and traders to utilize railway services for apple transportation, ensuring faster and more economical movement.
To ensure coordinated and timely response to any weather-induced emergency, the Divisional Commissioner directed the immediate operationalization of the Divisional Control Room for better coordination and synergy among field departments.
Simplify procedures, adopt people-friendly measures for benefit of Senior Citizens, PwDs: Sakeena Itoo
Reviews performance, functioning of Srinagar/Jammu CRCs
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 03: Minister for Health & Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today emphasized on the need to simplify procedures and adopt people-friendly measures for the benefit of Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
The Minister made these remarks while chairing a review meeting to review performance and functioning of Composite Regional Centre (CRC) Srinagar/Jammu at Civil Secretariat here.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare department, Sarmad Hafeez; Directors of Social Welfare Kashmir and Jammu, Director CRC Srinagar/Jammu, Executive Director State Rehabilitation Council J&K, Chairman & Managing Director Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), District Social Welfare Officers and other concerned officers. The outstation officers attended the meeting through virtual mode.
Underscoring the importance of ease in access, the Minister directed the concerned departments to streamline the process of issuing disability certificates and providing assistive devices so that the maximum number of beneficiaries can avail the schemes being implemented through CRC.
She further directed CRC authorities to organize awareness camps beyond district headquarters, ensuring that people in remote areas and far-flung areas are made aware of the facilities and services available.
Stressing on the importance of quality assurance, Minister Sakeena instructed CRC and ALIMCO to conduct rigorous quality checks of all assistive equipment before distribution to beneficiaries.
The Minister also highlighted the challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing diagnostic centres operating from upper floors, urging departments to address these infrastructural barriers. She called upon the Social Welfare department to explore ways to support those unable to obtain or update their Aadhaar cards, so that they are not deprived of pensions and other welfare benefits.
On the issue of empowerment, the Minister advocated for extending loan facilities to persons with disabilities to help them become self-reliant and economically independent.
“Government has to do more in this sector. The people need us, and it is our responsibility to reach their doorsteps with support, care and dignity,” she said.
Earlier, representatives of CRC Srinagar & Jammu and ALIMCO gave detailed presentations on their functioning and achievements so far.(KINS)
