Srinagar Jan 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday asked the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department to ensure availability of ration, kerosene-oil and LPG to the consumers, particularly in remote and far flung areas of the Kashmir valley.
 He impressed upon the CAPD to intensify market checking against hoarders and profiteers. He asked the Divisional Commissioner and IGP, Kashmir to personally monitor the functioning of market checking squads.
 Soon after arriving from Jammu, the Chief Minister presided over a high level meeting of divisional officers of the Kashmir division.
 He directed the Chief Engineer, M&RE to ensure strict implementation of fresh power curtailment schedule, announced already. He also sought a report from the Chief Engineer with regard to collection of power tariff dues.
 Regarding repairs of Lower Jhelum Project and Upper Sindh Hydel Project, Omar asked the Chief Engineer to step up efforts in this regard to overcome power shortage during the ongoing winter.
 The Chief Minister directed the PHE authorities to ensure drinking water facilities and keep diesel generator sets in readiness for lifting water from reservoirs in case of any exigency. He said water tankers should also be pressed into service in water scarcity areas, caused due to dry spell.
 Omar instructed the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to complete the second tube of Dr. Ali Jan Road immediately, as well as other works taken up in hand.
 The ERA authorities informed the Chief Minister that Rangil Water Supply Scheme, Phase II, was ready for commissioning.  However, 50 lakh gallons of water were being provided to the identified areas presently.  It was also stated that Tailbal Bridge was also ready and would be thrown open shortly.
 The Chief Minister also sought report regarding the problems faced by departments and institutions including Bone and Joints  Hospital, acquisition of land for Ophthalmology and Regional Research Centre in Government Medical College Srinagar etc.
 The Chief Minister assured that these matters would be sorted out soon.
 Regarding shifting of electric poles for widening of roads by ERA, the Chief Minister directed the concerned to take up the matter immediately.
 The Chief Engineer R&B informed the Chief Minister that 1191 kms of road has been macadamized while work on the bridges in various areas is progressing.
 The Chief Engineer, PDD informed that the Gas Turbine Plant is generating 59 MWs of power. He said 4800 transformers have been repaired so far and the Transformer Bank is also being utilized for the purpose.
 The Chief Engineer, PHE said that 19 diesel generating sets are in readiness to meet any exigency. He said water tankers are being dispatched to the required areas of North Kashmir like Lolab, Kupwara, Sopore etc besides Shopian in the south.
 The Chief Minister impressed upon the CAPD to intensify market checking against hoarders and profiteers. He asked the Divisional Commissioner and IGP, Kashmir to personally monitor the functioning of market checking squads.
 Minister for R&B, G. M. Saroori, Advisor to Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation and Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Devinder Singh Rana, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Naseema Lanker, IG Kashmir Range, Farooq Ahmad and senior officers and engineers of Kashmir division were present in the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST