Governor Satya Pal Malik said on Monday that his administration is assessing the losses suffered by farmers during the recent snowfall in Kashmir and parts of Jammu, even as he asserted that power supply to majority of areas in the Valley has been restored.
Addressing a press conference here after taking the ceremony guard of honour on the day the Durbar—the seat of governance—opened in the winter capital Jammu, Malik said the farmers suffered losses during the recent snowfall for which the government has provided them some interim relief.
“Further assessment is being carried out to provide compensation to the victims of the natural calamity. The assessment of losses will be completed within 2-3 days,” he said.
The Durbar will function from Jammu for next six months as part of the bi-annual practice called ‘Durbar Move’.
The Governor reiterated the “resolve” of his government to work “tirelessly to ensure a responsive and good governance at all levels.”
Referring to situation after heavy snowfall and rains lashed Kashmir and parts of Jammu region recently, he said the administration’s response was “prompt in restoration of services in the affected areas.”
“Power supply to majority of areas of the Valley has been restored as 90% of restoration work has been completed,” he said.
Malik said around 90 percent power supply was restored in Srinagar, Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara and Ganderbal districts. “In Budgam district 50 percent power supply was restored.”
He said that due to damage to four major power towers “we faced maximum problems in southern Kashmir.”
“So far the power supply has been restored partially in Anantnag and Pulwama districts while in Kulgam and Shopian, it will be restored partially by today evening or tomorrow,” he said.
He said hospitals in all Kashmir districts were working normally on “emergency restoration system.”
Earlier, the Governor inspected the ceremonial guard of honour by a contingent of J&K police and interacted with his advisors, officers and employees and enquired about their well-being, an official spokesman said.
At the civil secretariat, the Governor was warmly received by the advisors BB Vyas, K Vijay Kumar, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, chief secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, director general of police Dilbag Singh, administrative secretaries, representatives of various employees’ unions and a large number of officers and employees of the Secretariat, the spokesman said.
CHAIRS MEETING WITH TOP OFFICERS
In a meeting with top officers of the state administration, the Governor “directed prompt action to alleviate miseries of people due to bad weather and heavy snowfall in some areas of J&K”. He also ordered survey of damage caused to apple orchards due to the heavy snow, and reviewed status of food items, fuel, supply of electricity and other basic amenities in snow-bound areas.
The Governor reviewed the schedules of examinations and preparedness of the school education department to facilitate students taking exams in this harsh weather, the spokesman said.
Expressing serious concern over the recurring road accidents, the Governor directed for strict compliance of road safety measures and sternly dealing with traffic offenders, the spokesman said, adding that he (Governor) directed a stringent check on overloading and over speeding of public transport vehicles.
He advised the traffic regulating authorities and the Transport department to carry out drives for the screening of untrained and medically-unfit drivers and not allow unfit vehicles to ply on roads.
The Governor reviewed preparedness for the launch of Ayushman Bharat—National Health Protection Mission—in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Chief secretary informed that this scheme will be launched on 1st December this year and all identified families will be provided insurance cover by 15th December 2018,” the spokesman said.
Malik also reviewed the “law and order scenario” in the State and work being done by the district administration Kishtwar to maintain peace and normalcy in the area, the spokesman added.