In connection with the ensuing budget session, Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta today chaired a high-level joint meeting of the civil and police administration to discuss and review issues related to security, traffic and allied arrangements for smooth conduct of the session scheduled to begin at Jammu on 2 January 2017. Addressing the meeting, Kavinder Gupta directed all the concerned departments to work in tandem and strictly adhere to the decisions taken in the meeting, especially the ones related to security.Additional Director General, Security, Dilbag Singh gave a detailed account of the arrangements made with regard to security of the legislative complex and elaborated on the segregated parking plan for smooth and secure vehicular movement and media management during the session.It was informed that all necessary arrangements have been put in place where-in adequate security staff has been deployed within the premises to facilitate smooth entry of the legislators and media-persons. Besides, provisions have also been made to setup additional mobile X-Ray screening security system inside the complex for secondary screening of small bags, brief cases and other paraphernalia to ensure fool-proof arrangements for safety and security. He also informed the chair that installation of the hotline telephone facility in the assembly lobby will be ensured soon in coordination with the concerned departments.
Besides, security plan for MLA hostel, circuit house and ministerial accommodations were also discussed. It was informed that gazetted officers will be deployed at both hostel complex and circuit house to liaison with the legislators’ security detail and security agencies.The ADG also informed the chair that strict view is being taken to ensure that no lapses in security are found. “Therefore directive has been passed to all security personnel and drivers of legislators and senior administration to wear uniforms and carry requisite identification and session passes at all time, failing which strict action will be taken against them,” he said.IGP, Traffic SA Watali, apprised the chair that measures are in place to ensure proper regulation of traffic on roads for smooth vehicular movement in and out of the legislature complex, MLA hostel and surrounding areas.DG, Fire and Emergency services, RS Sodhi informed the meeting that adequate fire tenders have been put in place to manage any eventuality besides checking the fire extinguishers and fire hydrants within assembly complex and MLA Hostel.
Director, Information Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, briefed the meeting that the department has deployed upwards of 40 officials to assist and keep harmonious relations between the press and legislators and to ensure proper and due coverage of the proceedings of both the houses. It was also informed that sufficient number of mikes/ public address system have been made available in the assembly/council hall besides installation of public address system on the dais within the lawns of civil secretariat for the media.MD, JKTDC while listing the arrangements put in place, informed that on the analogy of previous year, the cafeteria will be opened for lunch, tea, snacks to the legislators, staff members and media-persons at the pre-approved rates by the government. Special advance booking facility for lunch is also being introduced from this session to reduce the waiting time at the cafeteria besides additional manpower is being employed to cater to the lunch rush and meet other demands.Department of Estates, JKPCC and Hospitality and Protocol elaborating on the arrangements to be made for successful execution of the assembly session said that all repairs and renovation works are being executed and will be completed at the earliest, besides H&P department has also made available 15 rooms in circuit house to accommodate outstation media personnel.
Medical Department informed the chair that adequate medical facilities both allopathic and ISM along with life saving drugs, oxygen and two fully equipped ambulances equipped with state of the art medical equipment, specialized physician, surgeon and medical professionals will be available daily during the session hours besides full first aid facility be also available at the MLA hostel.The Speaker directed the Health Department to also provide a fully equipped ambulance at the MLA hostel besides the Assembly complex.PHE, PDD, JMC, Floriculture, Government Press also assured the chair that all necessary arrangements with respect to uninterrupted water and power supply, sanitation measures are in place to facilitate the conduct of the upcoming budget session.Also present in the meeting were Secretary Assembly Mohammad Ramzan, Secretary Law Abdul Majid, SDGP (Law & Order) SP Vaid, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu Danesh Rana, IG Security Jagjit Kumar, Director (H&P) Majid Drabu, Director Estates GN Itoo, SSP Security Civil Secretariat, SSP Security Jammu, besides senior officers of police, concerned departments and assembly secretariat.