In view of the situation arising due to COVID-19, Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Simrandeep Singh today issued an order declaring 16 services as essential services and commodities within the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the order, the Essential Services will includeSupply of Groceries (wholesalers and retailers), Supply of fresh fruits andvegetables (mandies and retailers), Dispensing of Petrol/Diesel at Pumps, Milkshops and dairies and related products, Supply of Cattle feed and fodder,Medicines and other pharmaceuticals (retailers, wholesalers and manufacturing),Banks and ATMs, Supply of LPG (domestic and commercial), Health services(including movement of staff thereof), Manufacturing of health and medicalequipment, Telecom operators and their designated agencies, Newspapers, Postoffices, Loading and unloading of Wheat and Rice at FCI and State Food depots,Transportation of essential commodities through National and State Highways(Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene, Milk, Vegetables, Fruits, groceries, FCI suppliesetc.) and Provision of Electricity, Water Supply and Municipal and SanitaryServices (including movement of staff thereof).
Ensure smooth movement of essential service vehicles: DivCom to DCs
Amid Coronavirus threat, the Divisional Commissioner,Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to ensuresmooth movement of essential services vehicles like Health, Ration, Water, PDDand other services across valley.
In case of shortfall of manpower in essential servicesdepartment, he also directed DCs to take employees from non-essential servicesdepartments voluntary and fulfill the gaps.
It is mandatory that essential services departments performtheir duties without any kind of hassle.
Due to the low footfall on roads, Pole also directed DCs toensure proper sanitation on main roads, drains and other neglected places intheir respective districts.He appealed people to co-operate with theadministration and adhere to the advisories issued by Health Department to staysafe and to prevent the spread of coronavirus.