The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today visited Leper Colony Behrar, Lal Bazar to take stock of developmental activities and health care facilities provided to the inmates there.The Div Com called for formulating proper rehabilitation policy for the Leper patients and their families besides, he also emphasised on providing scholarships to children of Leper patients for assistance in their studies.He also urged the concerned to ensure timely allocation of residential quarters to all left out families for their comfortable stay.During the visit, Div Com inspected Leprosy Hospital and took stock of the health care facilities besides availability of medicines, he also issued on spot directions to the concerned to take up restoration work of the hospital and ensure hassle-free and better health care facilities to the inmates.The concerned health authorities were directed to ensure availability of sufficient medicine other than for Leprosy treatment, besides instructions were given for filling of vacant and available posts in the hospital at an earliest.The Div Com called for a major demolition drive against the illegal encroachments and directed concerned to constitute a committee for proper demarcation and to ensure all encroachments done on the Leper colony land are removed within a week’s time.
He further said that all the boundaries of the colony are fenced appropriately on war footing to prevent any further encroachments.Stressing on providing all basic facilities and essential services to the inmates, the Div Com directed concerned to start macadamization of 1.5 kilometre interior roads and ensure uninterrupted water and electricity supply to the quarters, enlisting of left out family members for ration supply and sanctioning of K-oil and sugar to the inmates on monthly basis.Instructions were also given to the concerned to ensure branch cutting, pruning of trees posing threat to the human life.The Div Com was apprised that there were presently 9 healthy contacts and 71 patients putting up presently in the colony.Emphasizing on maintaining cleanliness and proper sanitation, the Div Com directed concerned authorities to conduct monthly cleanliness drives and ensure upkeep of lawns and parks.SMC authorities were directed to ensure filing of two vacant posts of sweepers on war footing for daily cleaning of colony premises.The Div Com was accompanied by DGM Social Welfare, ADC Srinagar, JC SMC, DD Health, Medical Officer, Leper Hospital, Secretary RCS Kashmir and other concerned during the visit.