Advisor BK Visits Budgam. Take stock of winter preparedness, election related arrangements.

Budgam November 20: Advisor  to Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Khan today visited Budgam, chaired a meeting in order to take appraisal of preparedness executed by District Administration to tackle the requirements amid ensuing winter season. The advisor also took stock of the arrangements made to ensure smooth conduct of DDC, Bye Panchayat and ULB elections in the District Budgam.

 The advisor on the occasion was briefed by DDC Budgam Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza about winter preparedness through a power point presentation. The advisor was apprised that all arrangements to ensure pro active preparedness relating to tackle the issue and requirements of snow clearance, when it is necessitated. The DDC said, sufficient stocks of essentials have already been stocked including supply of Gas and K-Oil.

The DDC further apprised that there is 24×7 control room established at the District Headquarters. In addition all line departments have been asked to establish their own control room in order to meet the requirements when required.

Regarding other issues including power and drinking water supply, it was told that concerned authorities have already formulated plan to ensure that there shall be no scarcity of these supplies and will be provided as per prescribed schedule. Regarding the issue of health services and COVID-19 control measures, the Advisor was briefed that the department of health had made adequate arrangements to ensure hassle free medical facilities available at all areas particularly rural areas have been given special focus as most of these areas become in undated during heavy snow fall.

While addressing the meeting the Advisor Baseer Khan reiterated that despite District Administration Budgam has token pro active measures to ensure winter preparedness touching every requirement is largely in place, however we have to remain fully prepared to tackle any challenge if there are chances of heavy snow fall in the ensuing period. He said ensure every road leading to designated polling stations shall be cleared prior to the commencement of voting process, in addition do all necessary heating arrangements at all polling stations so that concerned polling staff shall not face any inconveniences. He directed DDC to keep men, material and machinery in war footing gear including SDRF teams in order to tackle any eventuality amid danger of landslides and snow avalanches in the areas where there is apprehension of such happenings. Regarding security arrangements relating to conducting of elections, the Advisor said concerned authorities shall earmark and notify the locations where security arrangements relating to safety of candidates is required to be executed. He added identify sensitive spots, locations so that necessary measures are taken in advance. On the issue of candidate security the advisor reiterated that it is our prime concern and the authorities are on it, we want to ensure that every candidate shall remain safe and secure and the authorities are working on a plain to allow safe and limited activity of candidates when they are on campaign process.