Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, on Wednesday visited Bandipora and interacted with the public delegations besides reviewing winter preparedness in the district.He was accompanied by Chairman District Development Council, Abdul Gani Bhat, Deputy Commissioner, Dr Owais Ahmad, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ali Afsar Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Zahoor Ahmad Mir, OSD to Advisor, SE KPDCL, Vice Chairperson DDC, Kounsar Shafeeq, Block Development Council Chairpersons, Chairman Municipal Council Bandipora and Presidents of Municipal Committees of Hajin and Sumbal besides other senior officers of the district.Advisor held a meeting with the concerned officers to review winter preparedness with focus on water and power supply and ration availability in the district.It was informed that sufficient ration stock has already been dumped in snowbound Gurez valley while advance ration has also been provided to the beneficiaries. Besides, a Disaster Management Plan has also been devised which is being followed strictly in case of inclement weather conditions.
Also, control rooms have been set up at district and sub district level which will coordinate with all the departments to ensure speedy redressal of grievances during snowfall.DC informed that snow cutter machines have been put on standby mode at all locations and clearance operation shall continue soon after snow starts accumulating.Advisor Farooq Khan reviewed the preparedness of each department especially PDD, RDD and PHE and directed them to ensure speedy delivery of services. He directed the PDD officers to ensure that electricity is provided as per schedule and also called for strict action against power theft and illegal hooking.Advisor sought cooperation of the people in ensuring power as per schedule asking them for judicious use of electricity. He said the unabated use of heating gadgets put load on the system that leads to frequent power cuts.Later, several public delegations including members of Panchayati Raj Institutions apprised the Advisor of various issues concerning development and welfare of their respective areas.
DDC members led by Chairperson DDC Bandipora appreciated the functioning of civil administration and Police in the district.The issues raised by the delegations included staff shortage in RDD, extension of Ladli Beti Scheme to Bandipora and other far flung areas of the district, construction of Lolab- Bandipora road, Gurez tunnel and construction of various roads including PMGSY roads, augmentation of sports infrastructure, development of infrastructure in education institutions including introduction of smart classes, improvement of drainage system in towns, establishment of solid waste management plant, playground at Naribal Sonawari and Gundkhaleel, shifting of synthetic track to alternative place from SK Stadium, establishment of JK bank branch at Nowgam Sumbal, tehsil social welfare office at Hajin, availability of doctors at NTPHC Kilshay Gurez and establishment of special school for differently abled kids besides enhancement of pension to them.While responding to the public demands, Advisor assured that speedy action would be ensured to redress their genuine issues.Meanwhile, Advisor also handed over keys of 27 vehicles to youths under ‘Mumkin’ scheme. It was informed that till date 44 vehicles have been provided to the unemployed youth under the scheme.Advisor also gave away sanction letters to 3 dairy units under IDDs scheme.Earlier, Deputy Commissioner gave a brief introduction about the development scenario in the district besides winter preparedness of the district administration to deal with any exigencies on this account.