Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan on Saturday held an extensive meeting with the heads of various departments and Deputy Commissioners to review the restoration of power supply, clearance of snow and the overall winter preparedness in the Valley.He emphasized on complete winter preparedness so that in the event of harsh winter, all basic necessities are made available to people without any interruption.The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; Director Education, Kashmir; Director ULB; Additional Commissioner, Kashmir; Commissioner SMC; Chief Engineer PHE; Chief Engineer R&B; officials from PDD, SDRF, Forest, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mechanical Engineering Department and other concerned officials of various departments.Besides, Deputy Commissioners from Shopian, Gandarbal, Kulgam, Bandipora, Baramulla, Pulwama, Kupwara and Budgam, ADC Anantnag attended the meeting through video conferencing.Taking the district wise detail of the electricity restoration works, Div Com was informed that the power supply has been restored at all the hospitals and the various parts of the valley. Besides, the district administrations are working in close coordination 24x7 to ensure that power supply is restored at all the places at an earliest.On the occasion, Div Com also directed the PDD to handover the buffer stock of transformers earmarked for distribution to all the districts.With regards to the snow clearance, Div Com was informed by Deputy Commissioners that snow on all the major roads throughout the valley stands cleared. It was informed that the men and machinery of Mechanical Department, Municipalities and R&B department are already on ground for the clearance of various roads, lanes and by lanes in different districts.
On account of the damages caused due to heavy snowfall across the Valley, the Div Com directed the horticulture department to visit various areas along with revenue officials to access the damage of crops and infrastructure and submit their reports to the concerned DCs. He further asked the DCs to give the ex gratia relief in case of deaths and the compensation for the damages immediately.On the occasion, Div Com also took stock of the winter preparedness in the valley. He enquired from the Deputy Commissioners about the availability and stocking of food grains, Petroleum products, fire wood and other essential commodities. He was informed that the stocking of the essential winter commodities has been completed.Besides the proper distribution of food grains and other items, Div Com also directed the officials of district administration to keep check on profiteering and hoarding and asked them to take stern action against those found involved in these practices.He also asked the officials of Health services to keep stock of life saving medicines, surgical goods and other necessary medicines in stock so that no difficulty is faced by patients anywhere in the valley.With regards to the heating arrangements in various healthcare institutions, the meeting was informed that the heating arrangements are in place in all the hospitals and all the services are functional for the better patient care.On the occasion, Director School Education also informed that the adequate heating and lighting facilities have been made available at all the examination centres.Div Com further asked the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the Control rooms already set up in various districts remain functional throughout the winter season so that the people’s grievances are addressed on daily basis. DCs were instructed to maintain a record of the complaints and the problems posed by the masses through the control rooms.He further directed the Deputy Commissioners to increase their public outreach programs and should spend time in field to provide better governance. He also asked them to keep general public informed through weather advisories and about the potential avalanche prone areas for their safety.Div Com further asked for 100% attendance in all the departments throughout the Valley and also directed the officials not to leave the station without informing the Div Com office.