Relief Commissioner reviews development works, delivery of essential services in migrant camps

JAMMU: A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (M), J&K Dr. Arvind Karwani to review the status of delivery of essential services in the migrant camps, ongoing developmental works of the current financial year and proposed development works for the next financial year in all the migrant camps. The progress of extension of social sector schemes to the eligible migrant beneficiaries was also reviewed.

 While reviewing the status of basic amenities like safe drinking water, power supply and sanitation in the camps, the Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner instructed the officers of the Jal Shakti Department to take all requisite measures to ensure uninterrupted water supply in the migrant camps and press adequate water tanker supply in operation to supplement the water shortage.  It was apprised by the concerned Executive Engineers that both the short term and long term measures are being taken to redress the water supply issue. As a long term solution, the Department is conceiving a major project with tentative financial implication of about Rs 10 Cr for improvement/augmentation of the water supply in Jagti Township.

Dr Karwani also emphasised upon conducting of water quality tests at frequent intervals to ensure clean and hygienic drinking water supply. He instructed the concerned officers to undertake repair/renovation of hand pumps and bore wells. 

The Executive Engineer PWD(R&B) apprised that the major/renovation works in all migrant camps which, inter-alia, includes repair/renovation of more than 200 building blocks and about 5000 flats and community halls etc in all migrant camps in Jammu. Pertinent to mention that the Government has accorded administrative approval involving financial implications of Rs. 82.45 Cr for this project and the work started last month. Besides, PWD(R&B) has formulated a comprehensive project for development of internal roads/lanes, development of parks and face-lifting of all migrant schools, health dispensaries and Sub-District Hospital Jagti. Dr Karwani instructed to ensure repair/renovation works are taken up in order of priority, to be fixed in due consultation with the public and concerned camp commandants. He further emphasised upon the quality control and structural audit of all buildings.

The Jammu Municipal Corporation was asked to assess the requirement of any additional manpower requirement to augment sanitation work. Urban Environmental Engineering Department  apprised that Sewage Treatment Plants involving financial implications of about Rs 11.5 Cr have been finalised for Migrant Camps Nagrota, Muthi-Buta Nagar and Purkhoo, on the lines of similar STP functional at Jagti township and work will be started within days. Regarding extension of social sector schemes, it was observed that nearly 3500 families have availed benefits of social sector schemes, subsequent to the digitization and integration of the migrant ration cards into the national database. It was also decided that another round of extensive outreach camp shall be conducted from the next month at various locations in Jammu to disseminate awareness/facilitation in filling of applications about various social sector/welfare schemes, self employment and skill development schemes of the Government.

Senior officers of the Relief Organization were directed to ensure weekly visits in the camps assigned to them as per the roster of duty and take stock of all development works and grievances of the camp inmates, including those related to immovable properties in Kashmir Valley. The officers were also directed to supervise door to door campaign launched to reach out to all potential eligible beneficiaries of social sector/welfare schemes and facilitate them with documentation and filling of online applications for these schemes.  Dr. Karwani emphasised upon all the officers to ensure due adherence to the directions issued by the General Administration Department, regarding responsibilities of Transit Migrant Camps at Jammu and Kashmir assigned to various government departments.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Relief, Assistant Commissioners Relief, Chief Accounts Officer and senior officers of the Relief Organization. Nodal Officers/Executive Engineers   from the allied Government Departments like Jal Shakti Department, Public Works Department(R&B), Jammu Power Development Corporation, Urban Environmental Engineering Department, Health Department, School Education, Garden & Parks Department, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Labour & Employment Department, Skill Development Department and Rural Development Department also attended. Tehsildars/Camp Commandants of respective areas were also present in the meeting.