Speed up development work, ensure 100 per cent vaccination coverage: JK Lt. Governor advisor

He also directed the district administration to ensure 100 per cent vaccination coverage in the 45 plus age group and also took stock of Covid containment measures.

The Advisor inspected 6.3 MVA Receiving Station at Pohru coming up at a cost of Rs.3.80 crore. He also inspected the fencing work of Astan Mohallah School coming up at a cost of Rs.3.89 lakh. He took stock of the construction of the boundary wall of Gurduwara Gadibal, Chowgal costing Rs.2.88 lakh under the 'Back to Village' convergence programme.

Khan also inspected the de-siltation of Margat irrigation khul in Maidan Chowgol panchayat halqa, while the Advisor was informed that Rs 2.11 lakh are being spent on the de-siltation process and 600 man-days of work have been generated so far.

He directed the ACD to strictly follow schedules for payments to the labourers under MGNERGA and visited Covid Care Centre Unisoo and took stock of the facilities there.

Later, the Advisor convened a joint meeting which was attended by Chairman District Development  Council, Irfan Sultan Panditpori; Vice Chairperson, DDC, Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir; Deputy Commissioner,  Kupwara, Imam Din; DDC Members and BDC Chairpersons of Handwara sub-division; ADC Handwara,  Nazir Ahmad Mir; President MC Langate; Officers of the District Administration; President Traders  Federation Handwara and other concerned.

He urged the district administration to ensure frequent visits of rural areas to resolve problems of the people at their doorsteps. He said due to Covid restrictions rural populace face inconvenience in meeting the administration for resolution of their grievances.

He said that the objective of his visit to the area was to personally review the Covid containment measures and to take stock of development issues relating to power, water supply, agricultural operations and rural development works.

Advisor Baseer Khan directed all concerned officers associated with Covid duty, especially doctors to make people aware of the importance of vaccination and dispel the rumour mongering.

Baseer Khan said the vaccination drive should focus to achieve 100 per cent coverage of people above 45 years of age, while impetus should be given to intensify vaccination in 18 plus category, further he advocated that the government with the support of the public has been able to substantially contain the Covid pandemic.

“However there is no room for complacency," he added.

Khan also emphasised that every action and activity has to be carried out subject to adoption of Covid appropriate measures and protocol.

Regarding the availability of oxygen and other Covid related facilities, the Advisor said that oxygen plants and other facilities were established at the right time. He added that there is enough stock of oxygen,  vaccines and other supplies in the union territory to fight the Covid pandemic.

Meanwhile, Khan directed the officers and field functionaries to keep all representatives of Panchayati  Raj Institutions updated with activities being carried out in their respective jurisdictions. He exhorted upon the DDCs, BDCs and other PRIs to monitor the works of departments at ground level.

He directed the Superintending Engineer to ensure uninterrupted power supply to all Covid facilities including hospitals and care centres. He directed the health department especially doctors to sensitize and motivate the public about the benefits of vaccination and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner apprised the Advisor about the Covid containment measures and said that the district has registered 97 per cent of the Covid recovery rate. He said with the active support of civil administration, police and PRIs the vaccination has progressed from 18 per cent to 64 per cent from the last visit of the Advisor.

Baseer Khan also solicited feedback from the PRIs during which DDC Chairman, Irfan Sultan Panditpori and vice-chairman, Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir apprised the Advisor about the Covid containment measures and other development issues of the district.

DDC members of various blocks of the sub-division Handwara also spoke and apprised the Advisor about the developmental issues of their respective areas.

During the meeting, series of demands were raised by DDC members and public representatives to which the Advisor assured that all the genuine issues would be looked into.