Details

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 03 January 2019

• Calls for greater synergy, coordination among line departments, asks DCs to effectively respond to people’s needs
• Rs 97.5 cr additional assistance to be disbursed in next 10 days among farmers, growers hit by Nov 3/4 snowfall

JAMMU: Chief Secretary, Shri B V R Subrahmanyam Thursday chaired a video conference with the divisional and district administration of Kashmir and Jammu divisions to review the preparedness in view of the weather forecast for the 4th & 5th January, which predicts moderate to heavy snowfall across Kashmir division and parts of Jammu division falling in the Pir Panjal range including Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Poonch and Rajouri.

Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Secretary, PHE, I&FC, DMRR&R, and Secretary Horticulture were also present in the meeting. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Deputy Commissioners and other senior officers participated through video conferencing. Chief Secretary directed the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir/Jammu and concerned Deputy Commissioners to remain alive to the weather prediction for the next few days and ensure that the action plan for restoration of basic services/supplies is implemented in synergy and coordination with all the line departments on real time basis for which control rooms at the district and sub district headquarters be kept functional 24x7.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir informed that the divisional and district administration with its men and machinery is fully geared up to meet any eventuality on account of inclement weather. He said that adequate number of snow clearance machines and bulldozers have been deployed in advance at specific locations across the division besides water supply tankers. 

Regarding power, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir said that PDD has already pruned trees in the vicinity of transmission lines and this time minimal disruption in power supply is expected due to snowfall.  “The major disruption in power supply due to snow fall of November 3rd and 4th, 2018 was mainly because of foliage on trees. Moreover, adequate buffer stock of transformers is available in all districts” he said. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu briefed about the action plan and status of preparedness in the districts of Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Poonch and Rajouri.

Chief Secretary undertook district wise review of the status of snowfall preparedness, availability of essential commodities including ration, K-Oil, LPG, petroleum products and heating arrangements in hospitals besides availability of firewood. He asked Deputy Commissioners of Kupwara, Bandipora, Kishtwar, Doda, Poonch and Rajouri to ensure that Tulail, Tangdhar, Gurez, Dachan, Marwa, Warwan and Padder and other snow bound remote areas are specially taken care of to avoid any inconvenience to the people living in these areas. He urged Deputy Commissioners to access the funds admissible under SDRF norms for restoration of water supply schemes, power and road infrastructure, wherever required

In order to further augment water supply tankers, transformers, snow clearance machinery and heating arrangements, Chief Secretary asked the Deputy Commissioners to project the fund requirement on this account to the Divisional Administration Kashmir/Jammu for early release. Preparedness with regard to snow clearance of roads and bye lanes, restoration of water supply schemes, traffic management, rescue plan and facilities for stranded passengers/truckers along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and other important roads was also reviewed.

As regards status of disbursement of relief among the farmers/growers affected by the snowfall November 3rd and 4th, 2018, Chief Secretary observed that Rs 97.5 Crore have been sanctioned as additional assistance for disbursement of relief among the affected farmers/growers of Kulgam, Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama and Baramulla. Deputy Commissioners were directed to ensure its disbursement within the next 10 days, positively. Chief Secretary impressed upon the Deputy Commissioners to redouble their efforts to mitigate the problems of the people, undertake regular field visits and be accessible to the general public for addressing their grievances.