With preparations for the upcoming Republic Day-2019 celebrations in full swing, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam Monday chaired a high level meeting of officers at Udyog Bhavan here to finalize the arrangements for a colourful function.Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh, Principal Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Principal Secretary, Home, Principal Secretary, Hospitality & Protocol, ADGP CID, J&K, ADGP Security, Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, IGP Jammu zone, senior officers from Air Force and State administration attending the meeting. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and IGP Kashmir Zone participated via video conferencing.Divisional Commissioner, Jammu gave a detailed briefing about the preparations being made and sequence of programmes for the main Republic Day function to be organized at Sports Ground Jammu University, where Governor will preside over the function.The main function at Sports Ground, Jammu University will commence with unfurling of the National Flag, inspection of the Parade by the Governor, address by the Governor, march past by contingents and bands in all their finery and official decoration, display of theme based tableau, colourful cultural items, weapon display, acrobatics by dare devil teams and playing of the National Anthem.
Detailed deliberations were held regarding security arrangements, seating, transportation/parking facilities besides ensuring proper sanitation in and around main venue, adequate drinking water dispensers, refreshments for guests, contingents and school children, uninterrupted power supply at the venue, availability of medicare/ambulance services, facilities for media persons and various other issues.Chief Secretary stressed on the civil and police administration to work in close coordination to ensure that all preparations related to the event are complete by 21stJanuary and a full dress rehearsal organized on 24th January, 2019 in Jammu, Srinagar and across district and sub divisional headquarters.Chief Secretary observed that Republic Day function across the state should be celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety with all important government buildings and landmark places illuminated to add to the grandeur of the occasion. He directed establishing a well equipped control room with a dedicated landline at the Jammu University campus besides keeping the University medical dispensary open on that day. He asked the Traffic Police Department to issue a traffic advisory for 26th January and install route and parking signages at appropriate locations for convenience of the public.
At Srinagar, the meeting was informed the function will be organized at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium and presided over by Advisor to Governor, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai.Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir gave a detailed briefing about the preparations being made for the function at Srinagar. He informed that weather predictions for the day are good; however, two dedicated snow clearance machines will be kept ready in the eventuality of any snowfall.Functions at Leh and Kargil will be presided over by the Chief Executive Councillors (CECs). Preparations for celebrating Republic Day at district and sub divisional headquarters are also in full swing, it was informed.General Administration Department (GAD) was asked to appoint liaison officers for the Republic Day Celebrations-2019 and place their services at the disposal of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/ Kashmir. GAD will also be issuing a circular to all State Government officers/officials to attend the Republic Day function as a part of their official duties.Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/ Kashmir were asked to constitute committees for recommending awards to the best contingent, band, tableau and cultural item on Republic Day.Preparations with regard to ‘At Home’ function to be hosted by the Governor on 26th January and ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony on 29th January were also reviewed in the meeting.