The Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh today directed the officers to synergize their efforts to ensure smooth conduct of ensuing Kheer Bhawani Mela, maintaining that it is one of the most important religious festivals of Kashmiri Pandits.The Deputy Chief Minister was interacting with officers during his review meeting to oversee the arrangements being put in place for the ensuing Mela Kheer Bhawani.Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga, Vice Chairman JKPCC Khalid Jehangir, DC Ganderbal, SSP Ganderbal and other senior officers were present in the meeting. Dr Singh said such festive occasions exhibit brotherhood and communal harmony among the people of Kashmir and provide an opportunity to bridge the gap among different geographic regions of the State. He said the State is known for its pluralistic character and mutual brotherhood among different sections of the society.He directed the administration to ensure that a fool proof mechanism viz-a-viz security is put in place to ensure that the devotees coming to pay their obeisance do not face any inconvenience. He said that the requisite arrangements related to the traffic arrangements should also be undertaken so that the transportation facilities are provided to them and requisite parking slots are designated to facilitate the devotees.
Dr. Singh stressed the officers to ensure facilities like adequate power, water supply, sanitation, availability of essentials and medical facilities during the festive days.He also directed the officers to ensure that the work on the STP at the shrine is completed so that it can be commissioned within the coming days for maintaining the fragile eco system of the area.Earlier, DC Ganderbal Tariq Hussain Ganai apprised the Ministers that besides ensuring foolproof security arrangements for the devotees as many as 50 quintals of ration including 25 quintals rice, 20 quintals flour, 15 quintal sugar, 1000 liters of K-oil and sufficient quality of LPG Cylinders have been stocked within the shrine area. Moreover, the DC said that additional 2 quintals of sugar will be provided free of cost to devotees from the district administration.The meeting was informed that 10-beded camp hospital equipped with a team of doctors, nurses, life saving medicines, and ambulance have been kept at Kheer Bhwani. Moreover 2000 blankets are stocked for devotees, while as street lights leading to the shrine have been repaired and roads and link roads renovated, the DDC added.