Advisor Khan conducts extensive tour of Budgam Reviews functioning of RDD, PDD and Covid-19 containment efforts

Budgam, June 16: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Baseer Ahmad Khan today took a day long extensive tour of various areas of District Budgam including Airport Humhama, Shiekhpora, Karipora and Sebden. The tour was aimed to have an on spot assessment of various initiatives launched by District Administration Budgam with regard to developmental activities in these areas. The advisor during the visit was accompanied by DDC Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza, Director RDD, Chief Engineer PDD, SSP Budgam, ACD, CMO, DIO, Tehsildar Budgam and other concerned.   During the visit while inspecting the construction work going on at Panchayat Bhavan located at Airport Road Humhama, the advisor directed the concerned to speed up the construction work of the panchayat Bhavan on fast track basis. He said, lot of time has already lost due to inconvenient circumstances. However in order to fill the gap and complete the project well in stipulated time, all concerned have to double their efforts cumulatively. The two Story Bhavan coming at a cost of 920.80 lacs will be equipped with all facilities/accommodations, the advisor was apprised that till date Rs. 750.00 lacs have been expended on the project. In addition to other facilities the panchayat Bhavan will have a 150 seat capacity, convention hall/sitting lounge.   

 During the visit of Shiekhpora and adjacent areas, the advisor inspected many ongoing developmental projects under various schemes. During the visit he also interacted with the local deputations. While reviewing the works going on under RDD mainly labour oriented, the advisor directed concerned to identify the areas where wage potential can be created and utilized to generate employment with requisite number of person days. He said, apart from projects/works launched by RDD Budgam, improvement of irrigation canals, development of play fields, construction of bandhs can be targeted as it has the capacity to garner huge number of employment opportunities. A large number of skilled and unskilled labour class can be absorbed and involved to earn their livelihood. Regarding the issue of disbursement of wages to labour class, the advisor directed  the concerned to ensure that all the liability on this account shall be cleared and if there is any pendency, disburse it within two days, any tardy approach in this regard will not be acceptable and the person/officers found involved will have to face the brunt.

 On the issue of agriculture activities in the district, the advisor reiterated that agriculture is backbone of our economy and huge rural population is dependent on its produce/yield annually and there was need to restart the activities with full potential. He said, since the easing of restrictions related to COVID-19, the agriculture activities have restarted in full swing all across the district.

Later on Advisor Khan chaired a meeting of officers at conference hall, DC office Complex Budgam to take review of COVID-19 pandemic containment efforts taken by District administration. Advisor Khan was apprised by DC Budgam that 1846 no. of contacts of positive cases are traced, 25651 person arrived at airport, 11617 no. of tests are carried out, 34 quarantine centers with 1381 bed capacity, 08 COVID Wellness centre, 03 COVID level  II hospital have been set up in the District till date. Khan stressed on enhanced contact tracing and sample collection for testing especially in Red zone areas. He instructed that recently quarantined police officials at Magam shall not be permitted to visit their home to prevent spread of COVID-19 virus. He said that there shall be Free of cost Dialysis for those who can’t afford it.

There can be surge in COVID-19 cases at anytime, accordingly our strategy needs to be shifted. Pro active, alert and cautious approach has to be adopted, the Advisor added.

Speaking on the occasion, Khan emphasized on the importance of awareness related to COVID-19 and Directed the District administration to launch massive awareness programs by utilizing the services of Panchayat Raj Institution Functionaries & Religious heads. Khan will have General review of sample collection & testing laboratories in near future. Advisor Khan reiterated that All the frontline workers who are deployed at Red zones, quarantine centres, hospitals shall be protected and safeguarded with proper PPEs, each red zone must have an Administrator along with other necessary staff. Advisor Khan, further instructed to impose penalty for not wearing masks and ensure that lockdown guidelines shall be implemented strictly and no complacency at all shall be accepted in this regard.

Advisor khan also reviewed the functioning of Power Development Department in District and instructed that land acquisition and compensation issues pertaining to PDD shall be resolved at an earliest. No illegal connections and unauthorized use of power supply shall be allowed, concerned XENs shall act upon it on regular basis.