Kupwara, June 17 (KNS): Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today had an extensive tour of Kupwara district during which he inspected various developmental works and reviewed overall developmental scenario, besides, COVID-19 containment measures in the district. The aim of the visit was to give fillip to the development process in the district which was recently resumed after COVID-19 pandemic containment measures.
The Advisor was accompanied by DDC Kupwara, Anshul Garg; Chief Engineer EMRA Kashmir, MD JKPDCL, SSP Kupwara, Director Rural Development, and other concerned officers.
At Langate block, the Advisor inspected construction work of road from Floor Mill to Army Camp Pohrupeth and Playfield coming up under MGNREGA at a cost of Rs.13.40 lakh. The Advisor visited Handwara block and inspected upgradation of Takiyabal road at Chowgol and Public Park near Jamia Qadeem at Maidan Chowgol. These works are coming under 14th F.C and BADP convergence at a cost of Rs.6.59 lakh. The Advisor interacted with Sarpanchs, Panchs and enquired about their involvement in developmental works. He asked them to fully involve themselves in the developmental process and monitor the ongoing development works. He directed BDOs and concerned engineers to ensure quality standard of works with due adherence of timeline.
At Nutnussa block, the Advisor inspected levelling and filling of Apna Panchayat Ghar costing Rs.7 lakh under 14th F.C. Convergence.
Advisor also inspected disilting of Gham Khul from Genral Road to Atthnalla Armpora coming up under MGNREGA at a cost of Rs.50, 000.
At Kupwara, the Advisor inspected construction of Cafeteria cum Toilet Block and construction of Recreation Centre at TRC. Both the works are near completion at a cost of Rs.84.46 lakh; of which Rs.36.24 lakh have been expended so far.
Later, the Advisor chaired a meeting at Conference Hall D.C. Office Kupwara and reviewed the COVID-19 pandemic containment efforts taken by District Administration besides, took stock of health and power sectors.
The Advisor stressed for generation of mass awareness by involving PRIs, religious leaders, senior citizens and Asha workers regarding usage of masks, hand hygiene and maintaining social distance. He directed Deputy Commissioner to make usage of masks mandatory at every level and issue orders for its proper implementation and penalise all those who violate the SOP norms. The Advisor also directed for identifying above 60 years aged persons and those having any kind of ailments including kidney failure, heart problems etc. and directed Deputy Commissioner for providing dialysis and medicare facilities free of cost to the needy and deserving persons and free transport as Administration is doing in Srinagar and other districts. He said the vulnerable persons need to be stay at home.
Enquiring about Red Zones, the Advisor was informed that 42,000 population is living in 8 Red Zones of the district. He directed for periodical checkup of these people so that relaxations are ordered accordingly.
Reviewing the facilities for frontline workers of Health department, the Advisor directed for providing of boarding facilities and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kits to them. The Chief Medical Officer(CMO) Kupwara, informed the Advisor that all facilities including availability of Essential drugs, ventilators and PPE Kits are satisfactory.
The Advisor asked SSP Kupwara to make sure that SOPs are followed by everyone and penalise those who violate the prescribed COVID Containment norms and SOPs.
Reviewing the issues of Border areas, the Advisor was informed that the people have normally participated in the agricultural and horticultural activities. He was further informed that 85 Community bunkers are under execution at Karnah, Keran and Machill.
Reviewing the power scenarios of the district, the Advisor directed the concerned for improvement of power scenario in the district and asked engineers make departmental workshops functional. He also stressed to ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of the department.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner, gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation and informed the meeting that a total number of 4976 persons are enlisted for observation, 887 persons kept under quarantine, 3142 persons completed survelliance, 947 persons are under home survelliance while as, 10,336 samples have been collected for COVID-19 test; of which, 9538 samples tested negative and only 409 tested positive. The DDC informed that number of Recoveries so far has reached to 298 while as 4 deaths have been recorded in the district so far. He further informed that number of reports awaited by now is 148, while as, 104 active cases are in the district. The meeting was further informed that all the incoming locals arriving from other states are being quarantined for sampling and are released only after testing negative.
The DDC further informed that universal coverage of masks has been ensured across the district and the usage of same has been made mandatory, adding that the resumption of 1320 developmental works undertaken as per SOP, engaging 8,384 workers with strict compliance of social distancing and usage of masks.
Among others, the meeting was attended by ADDC Kupwara, Mohammad Ashraf Bhat; ADC Kupwara, Nazir Ahmad Lone; ADC Handwara, Nazir Ahmad Mir; ACR, ACD, DIO, DPO, Engineers of various wings, and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.
Later, the Advisor had a separate meeting with BDC chairpersons, during which the Advisor asked them to come forward wholeheartedly and ensure social distancing, usage of masks and hand hygiene in their jurisdictions while generating awareness for COVID-19 containment measures. The BDCs put forth their demands before the Advisor, the Advisor paid a patient hearing and assured them all possible support.(KNS)