Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today briefed the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, about the efforts of the UT Administration to combat COVID-19 pandemic in J&K during a video conference held by the President, along with Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu with the Governors, Lt Governors and Administrators of all States and Union Territories to review the preparedness to deal with the evolving situation and discuss potential measures that can be taken by them to check the spread of COVID-19.At the outset, the President, Vice-President, and the Lt Governor commended the crucial and life-saving role being played by doctors, nurses, police personnel and all other frontline warriors in the battle against COVID-19 and resolved to provide them with all the requisite medical & allied equipment and support.During the interaction, broad based discussions were held on various issues including the availability and supply of essential commodities and medicines to the people; ensuring full support to the farming community during the ensuing harvest season; facilitating procurement of farm produce by the respective agencies; arrangements for conducting online classes/courses for students; taking onboard the religious & spiritual leaders to advise their followers against holding any congregations & stepping up awareness about observing social distancing norms to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.Specific stress was laid on the role of involving Red Cross, civil society, socio-religious organizations, and volunteers through a Jan Bhagidari approach in complimenting the efforts of governments by sensitizing, providing relief, and succor to the people in this time of crisis.
While apprising the President about the measures taken by the UT Administration for prevention, management, and containment of Coronavirus, the Lt Governor informed that around 28,000 guest labourers are being housed in various camps across J&K and are being taken care of by the administration during the period of lockdown.Further, intensive surveillance and testing is being carried out, particularly in Red zones and local religious & spiritual leaders have been taken onboard for awareness, contact tracing, and providing relief. Block Level Coordination Committees have been constituted to comprehensively monitor the supply of essentials, to keep a check on the prices and ensure social distancing is followed in banks and ration outlets.The Lt Governor stated that the seamless flow of all essential commodities/medicines/perishable items in and out of the UT has been ensured. It was also brought to notice that the administration has ensured advance distribution of ration across J&K. In addition, dry ration under the Mid-day meal scheme has also been distributed to the students in advance as the schools remain closed.He observed that the Agriculture sector is one of the top priorities of the UT Administration and steps are being taken to ensure adequate supply of mechanized farm machines, fertilizers, seeds etc to the farming community, besides devising plans for their movement during the lockdown period strictly adhering to the social distancing norms.The President and Vice-President expressed satisfaction on the efforts of the UT Administration; however, they called for sustained efforts across the board including continuous interactions among the Governors, Lt Governors and Administrators to effectively counter the Coronavirus pandemic and at the same time providing relief to the stranded labourers, destitute and ensuring supply of commodities to the population in hilly areas.