With the opening of the offices at Srinagar, the Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu arrived at the Civil Secretariat where L-G was greeted by the Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam.

On the occasion Advisors to the Lieutenant Governor,  Kewal Kumar Sharma, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar and  Baseer Ahmad Khan, were also present. Among the senior officers Asgar Hassan Samoon Principal Secretary to the Government, School Education Department;  Rohit Kansal Principal Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring & Information Department;  Dilbag Singh, Director General of Police, Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar;  Sarmad Hafeez Secretary to Government, Youth Services & Sports Department;  Zubair Ahmad , Secretary Tourism Department received the Lieutenant Governor. A large number of officers and employees of the various departments were also present.

Lieutenant Governor inspected the ceremonial Guard of Honour by a contingent of J&K Police.

He also interacted with the officers and sought their suggestions for further improving the public delivery mechanism, besides advising them to continue working with dedication for welfare of the public. He reiterated the government’s resolve of working tirelessly towards ensuring responsive and accountable government and good governance at all levels.

Lieutenant Governor, GC Murmu today chaired a high level meeting of officers to review flood preparation and response mechanism in place in Kashmir division.

Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant Governor stated that the Government shall have to be fully prepared to deal with any eventuality that may arise due to a flood like situation. He called upon the Irrigation & Flood Control department, Divisional Administration, Srinagar Municipal Corporation and SDRF to devise flood management and mitigation plans immediately. LG impressed on taking proactive measures to augment effective flood preparation and response.

Stressing on foolproof flood preparedness, the LG directed concerned to take up all urgent works immediately to ensure that works are completed in time for prompt flood response. Instructions were also given on raising of embankments at all vulnerable spots, dredging of flood channels and stocking of sand bags and keep men and machinery in ready mode to deal with flood like situation emerging anywhere in the Valley.

LG urged for strengthening of flood monitoring system with installation of solar operated CCTVs, advanced flood alertness,  installation of automatic rain recording and flood gauges at identified locations.

Directions were passed for strengthening of 24x7 flood control room with all arrangements for prompt relief and rescue operations. LG said that the capacity of  Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Hari Niwas should be augmented, made fully functional  and it should be connected with other control rooms through hot line communication facility.

While reviewing pace of execution of flood related works, LG directed resuming work on Sharief-abad and Naidkhai bridges at an earliest, which would help remove obstructions in the flow of water, he asked for facilitating the contractors by mobilizing manpower and material supplies for these projects to ensure that work is commenced immediately while taking all necessary precautions like social distancing, providing masks and protective gear to the work force. 

LG emphasized on resumption of dredging work in all water bodies including flood spill channel, river and lakes and removal of encroachments on water channels. He directed on prioritizing dredging of Wular lake and asked the concerned to ensure manual dredging under MGNREGA to generate mandays days for locals during Covid-19 lockdown.

In view of social distancing protocol, presently in place, he directed concerned to increase capacity of evacuation centres used as rescue shelters for the affected people at the time of floods. He instructed for putting in place all the arrangements including masks, sanitizers and other supplies of personal hygiene. Special teams including that of doctors shall be designated for all vulnerable areas and rescue shelters in advance.  SDRF was instructed to ensure training of personnel from Police and Home Guards for prompt response during floods.

During the meeting, SMC was directed to ensure immediately de-clogging of all rain storm drains in the city besides installation of solar powered high mast lights in all flood prone areas for the hassle-free evacuation during floods. Instructions were given for procurement of disinfectants to be used in the event of floods to contain water borne diseases.

He also directed for printing of SOPs in a book-let form with contact details of all concerned officers, officials and designated teams.

 He said that CAMPA funds can be used for building check dams in catchments areas to prevent flood like situations. 

As advance flood mitigation plan, LG instructed concerned to ensure that all installed machinery is shifted to upper floors of hospitals and other essential government buildings in low lying areas including civil secretariat. Regarding protection of important installations like Telephone Exchanges, and other Lifeline buildings, LG instructed that important equipment be relocated so that  critical equipment does not get submerged in the event of floods.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to activate the advance warning systems pertaining to weather alert, evacuation alert. He stated that the capacity of Rescue Shelters has to be augmented with all critical equipment like tents, standby power, fuel and essential items like ration, drinking water. He said that rescue teams should be in high level of preparedness and mock drills should be conducted . Chief Secretary said that a senior Secretary-level officer based in Srinagar shall be assigned the task of monitoring the flood preparedness activities of all concerned departments. He said that manpower plan outlining officials to be put on job, duties assigned and their contact numbers should be prepared.

Earlier, Commissioner Secretary, Jal Shkati Ajeet Kumar Sahu, through a power point presentation deliberated upon the flood preparation, mitigation and response plan.  He said that there is advanced flood alert system  in place and work on increasing intake capacity of water bodies is being focused across the valley. He informed that Flood Plain Zone mapping is being completed and it would be shared with the concerned Departments. He added that the Jhelum’s carrying capacity has been raised from 32000 cusec to 42000 cusec and the target is to take it to 60000 cusec.

The meeting was attended by Advisors, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Rajeev Bhatnagar, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, Financial Commisioner Health & Medical Education Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary, Information Department Rohit Kansal, Commissioner Secretary Jal Shkati, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole, DG SDRF, IG Police Vijay Kumar, DC Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Chowdary, Chief Engineer I&FC Mir Mohammad Shahnawaz, SMC Commissioner Srinagar, Gazanfar Ali and other officers.

 Lieutenant Governor, G C Murmu today convened a high level meeting to review COVID-19 preparedness in Kashmir division.

 The meeting was attended by Advisors R R Bhatnagar, Baseer A Khan, Chief Secretary B V R Subramanyam, Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education Dept. Atal Dulloo, Principal Secretary Planning and Information Rohit Kansal, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir K B Pole, Director SKIMS G R Ahangar, Principal GMC Sgr, Dr Samia Rashid, Director Health Sameer Mattoo, OSD H&ME Owais Ahmad besides Deputy Commissioners and SPs of various districts.

The meeting discussed various measures that are being taken to control the spread of COVID-19 across Kashmir division.

In a power point presentation Financial Commissioner Health and Medical Education Department, Atal Dulloo informed that there are 108 ventilators, 18183 PPE kits, 81089 N-95 Masks, 706601 triple layer masks, 11456 VTM, 12923 sanitizers and 354 infra red thermometers available in Kashmir division.

 It was also informed that there are 11 dedicated hospitals for treatment of Covid-19 patients in Kashmir with a total strength of 8736 beds in Kashmir. The district wise details of red zones, buffer zones, isolation beds, COVID wellness centres was also given in the meeting.

It was divulged that so far 75838 number of travelers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance in overall J&K and surveillance of 57386 people has been completed so far.

The meeting was also informed that rate of increase of COVID-19 patients has been stabilized, which earlier was fluctuating, and added that 1912 tests are being done per million population with four labs being made operational. Besides two CB NAAT labs have been made functional and rtPCR machines have also been pressed into service to enhance COVID-19 testing

 Lieutenant Governor directed to ramp up the testing and priority be given to pregnant women, elderly and all those returning from outside.  He also directed that the household survey undertaken be completed fully.

LG stressed on 100% coverage of Aarogya setu app, 100 % physical inspection of all COVID care centres and other facilities in order to ensure that all the facilities are fully available in each centre.

LG gave directions that immediate steps be taken for isolation of Covid patients and ensure strict separation of covid and non-covid patients including separate entry and exit points in the hospitals.

Lieutenant Governor directed setting up of kiosk like facilities for testing labour class as has been done in some of the districts across the valley.

Lieutenant Governor also asked Director SKIMS to start online training sessions with doctors and medical staff and apprise them of the protocol to be followed while treating COVID-19 patients.