Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region and PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that Government of India has taken numerous steps to augment medical infrastructure in Healthcare institutions of Jammu & Kashmir to deal with the challenges like Covid-19 and other medical situations.He said this after inaugurating 1000 LPM capacity Oxygen Generation Plant here at Government Medical College, Kathua today.Pertinently, the newly installed Oxygen Generation Plant has been installed under PM Care initiative. The DRDO, NHAI, PWD and Mechanical Engineering Department were roped in to install the Plant in the shortest possible time.With the addition of 1000 LPM Plant, the total Oxygen Generation Capacity in GMC Kathua has gone up to 3250 LPM.The Union Minister also dedicated a portable Ultrasound Machine and two CBC analysers worth Rs 35.89 lakh provided under his MPLAD fund.Dr Jitendra also inspected the Covid Vaccination Centre and interacted with people and Nursing Staff deputed to undertake the age appropriate inoculation drive at GMC Kathua. The Union Minister said Jammu & Kashmir has taken lead in Covid Vaccination and it has become possible with the dedication of the medical staff who are reaching out to people braving all odds. He directed Principal GMC to incentivise those staff members who register lowest wastage of Covid Vaccines.Later, Dr Jitendra distributed Ration among the beneficiaries of Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojna( PMGKY) at Hatli Morh.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh said the initiative of providing free ration to the identified group of people adversely affected by the Covid situation has been worked out with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modiand is being extended till this year’s October month.Dr Jitendra Singh also chaired a meeting with elected representatives of PRIs, ULB's and Officers of District Administration at the Conference Hall of DC office complex.DDC Chairman, Kathua Mahan Singh put forth development issues before the Union Minister which were related to the early completion of key roads, revised payment of Border Bunkers, tapping of Tourism potential areas of the district etc.Vice Chairman, DDC, Raghunandan Singh and other elected members highlighted development related issues of their respective areas.Dr Jitendra Singh assured that necessary intervention required for taking up the issues of the elected members with concerned authorities will be ensured. He appealed to the PRI and ULB members to keep close liaison with the officers of district administration to remove any bottlenecks hampering development schemes.Later, Dr Jitendra Singh witnessed the First ever Girl Cricket Tournament match held at Sports Stadium, Kathua.The 15 over Cricket match was won by Super Warriors by beating Raya Women Cricket Club by ten wickets. In his address, Dr Jitendra Singh said the initiative of organising maiden women Cricket Tournament aims at promoting sports culture among the Girls to ensure that the women of New India remain at the forefront in every field .He said the Arun Jaitley Memorial Sports Complex coming up at Hiranagar will change the sports scenario of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association and Sports Council are being entrusted with the role to find new sports talent and provide required infrastructure to nurture it to meet international standards.