District Development Commissioner, Udhampur Dr. Piyush Singla today chaired a meeting of district officers to discuss the arrangements for the smooth celebration of Independence Day 2020 at the District head quarter.Additional District Development Commissioner, Ashok Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Nagendra Singh Jamwal, ASP Rajinder Katoch, ACR Vikar Giri, ACD Mushtaq Choudhary, CPO, Rajeev Bhushan and other senior officers from Civil Administration, Police, and CRPF were present in the meeting.Detailed discussions were held regarding seating arrangement, barricading, security, traffic regulation, drinking water and power supply, sanitation, first-aid, PAS and fire-tenders etc.It was decided in the meeting that the main function would be organized in the premises of Government Degree College for Boys, Udhampur where the VIP would unfurl the National flag at 9:00 Am.The function would start with the Shehnai Vadan in the morning by the Information department. It was informed that due to COVID 19 pandemic contingents should be reduced to 50% and no school children will participate in the march past.The DDC reiterated that theme based cultural programme like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Back to Schools, Corona awareness, Jal Jeevan Mission etc will be organized and recorded at school level by following all COVID 19 SOPs well in advance. The recording of these programmes would be played on the occasion.
The DDC added that in the prevailing challenging times there will be a total digital presentation by the participating schools by leveraging the power of digital technology in the era of Information technology. He also said that programmes and cultural items would be finalized by a committee and DDC asked DIO to explore the options of live telecast of these programmes in consultation with local cable operators.It was decided in the meeting that full dress rehearsal would be held on 13th of August, while routine rehearsals would held on 10th and 11th August.The DDC added that the programme would be conducted by following COVID 19 SOPs. The DDC directed the Xens PHE & PDD to ensure seating, barricading and drinking water arrangements, besides uninterrupted power supply at the function venue. The Chief Executive Officer, Municipality was asked to maintain cleanliness in the town as well as at the venue.Regarding First aid arrangements, the Chief Medical Officer was directed to ensure the deployment of one ambulance along with a team of Doctors and necessary medicine till the end of function.The District Police and Traffic Police would ensure security and traffic management, the DDC added. Different committees like Reception Committee, Illumination Committee, etc were also constituted for the successful celebration of the national function.