DC Kishtwar finalizes arrangements for Deepawali Festival

KISHTWAR: The District Administration Kishtwar, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, on Monday convened a meeting in the Conference Hall of the New DC Office Complex to finalize arrangements for the smooth and safe celebration of the Deepawali (Diwali)- the festival of lights.   

At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner directed officers of the line departments to take all necessary precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents during the celebrations and emphasized the need to raise public awareness—particularly advising parents to ensure that children do not use firecrackers without proper supervision.

The departments were directed to strictly adhere to the guidelines and ensure timely implementation of the arrangement plans. Stress was laid on synergy and close coordination among stakeholder departments for maintaining law and order, sanitation, uninterrupted essential services and effective crowd management to ensure a peaceful and joyous Diwali across the district.

The Police Department, along with the CRPF 52 Bn was directed to make adequate security arrangements across the town, its adjoining areas and all religious temples. Similar arrangements would be ensured in all Sub-Divisions and Tehsils of the district to maintain peace and order.

The Jal Shakti Department was directed to take advance measures to maintain uninterrupted drinking water supply across the town and its suburbs during the festival days. Meeting decided to deploy Water tankers at Chowgan Ground, ITI Ground and other identified locations to supplement the supply. Barricading of Chowgan Ground for the sale of crackers was also assigned to the Jal Shakti Department.

Similar directions were given to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the town, adjoining areas and all religious places, establishment of First Aid Camps at Chowgan Ground and keeping all PHCs, CHCs and Sub-Centres functional 24×7 with adequate medical staff, ambulances and medicines. The Health Department was also directed to ensure the availability of emergency equipment and treatment facilities for burn victims and respiratory patients.

The Municipal Council was directed to conduct special cleanliness and sanitation drives around all religious and public gathering places, with the instructions to ensure functioning of all streetlights and illumination of dark spots. Similarly, all Block Development Officers (BDOs) were instructed to carry out cleanliness and sensitization drives in rural religious sites where congregations will be held.

The DC laid special emphasis on ensuring the availability of quality commodities and preventing black marketing. A joint Market Checking Team comprising Tehsildar, Assistant Director FCS&CA, CEO Municipal Council, SHO, District Food Safety Officer and Assistant Controller Legal Metrology was constituted and directed to conduct regular market inspections from today onwards.

The team shall ensure the display of rate lists, the quality of sweets and the food items and take strict action under the Food Safety and Standards Act against violators. The AD FCS&CA was directed to ensure an adequate supply of LPG cylinders, atta and rice and to make home delivery of LPG available across the district to prevent inconvenience to the public.

The Assistant Director Fire & Emergency Services Kishtwar was directed to deploy fire tenders at Hidyal Chowk, Bus Stand and Dak Bungalow from October 18ᵗʰ to 21ˢᵗ. For smooth vehicular movement, the District Police, ARTO and DTI   were directed for effective traffic management and parking arrangements, particularly inside the ITI Ground to avoid congestion during the festival.

The existing Control Room at the DC Office will remain fully functional to monitor the overall situation. Members of the local Sanatan Dharma Sabha also shared suggestions and projected various issues, to which the DC listened patiently and assured every possible support from the District Administration.

The meeting was attended by SP Ops Nisar Ahmed Khoja; CEO KDA Kaiser Bhawani; ACR Idrees Lone; CO CRPF 52 Bn, AD FCS&CA, CEO Municipal Council Kishtwar Mirza Mumtaz Iqbal, ARTO Kishtwar Tasleem Wani, ExEn JPDCL Kishtwar Latif Wani, DSHO Kishtwar, DO Food Safety Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed, President Sanatan Dharma Sabha Kishtwar along with the Members of the Sanatan Dharma Sabha Kishtwar besides other senior officers and concerned staff.