Baseer reviews poll arrangements in Central Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 20 (GNS): Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today chaired separate high level meeting in central Kahsmir distrito review preparedness of administration in view of vagaries of weather, maintaining Law and Order during District Development Council elections and Panchayat By-Elections.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, PK Pole; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary; IGP, Kashmir Vijay Kumar; SSP, Mohammad Haseeb Mughal and Chief engineers of R&B, KPDCL Distribution, MED, Jal Shakti and other officers attended the meeting.

While taking stock of the preparations to cope with the weather vagaries and successful conduct of elections, Advisor Baseer Khan stressed on Division and District administrations to provide all the facilities to the staff and security personnel deputed for election duty. He said that adequate arrangement should be made for heating, provision of kerosene oil, gas, electricity and generators besides drinking water and sanitation facilities.

He impressed upon officers to keep machinery ready for snow clearance at polling locations so that they can be deployed timely in case of any inclement weather conditions.

Advisor emphasized on the provision of security and accommodation for the candidates contesting elections.

 Regarding Law and Order issue, Inspector General of police, Kashmir was asked to make  proper arrangements of Law and Order so that no untoward incident happens.

While apprising the Advisor about the state of preparedness, DC Srinagar briefed him that all the arrangements have been put in place by the administration for the smooth conduct of elections.

He also visited Budgam and took stock of winter preparedness of the district administration besides assessing arrangements being made to ensure smooth conduct of DDC, ULB and Panchayat by elections in the district.

Advisor was briefed by Deputy Commissioner, Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza, about winter preparedness of the administration through a power point presentation highlighting all necessary arrangements in place to extend requisite support to the people of the district. DC apprised that there is 24×7 control room established at the District Headquarters besides all line departments have been asked to establish their own control rooms in order to meet the public needs and requirements in the wake of winters.

While reviewing other issues including power and drinking water supply, Advisor was told that concerned authorities have already formulated a comprehensive plan to ensure that there shall be no scarcity of these supplies.

Regarding the health services and COVID-19 control measures, the Advisor was briefed that the department of health had made adequate arrangements to ensure hassle free medical facilities in all areas particularly rural areas especially during heavy snow fall.

Advisor Baseer Khan asked the officers to remain fully prepared to tackle any serious or emergent situation that may arise in extreme winters and heavy snow fall adding that every road leading to designated polling stations shall be cleared prior to the commencement of voting process. He directed the DC to keep men, material and machinery in place especially SDRF teams in order to tackle any eventuality that may occur due to landslides and snow avalanches in the vulnerable areas.

 Advisor reviewed the security arrangements for conduct of elections, and said that concerned authorities shall earmark and notify the locations where security arrangements relating to safety of candidates are required so that necessary measures are taken in advance to ensure candidates do not face any inconvenience on this account. (GNS)