KUPWARA, NOVEMBER 08: Following the conclusion of his two-day visit to the border Sub-Division of Karnah, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Abhishek Sharma, today chaired a comprehensive meeting at Karnah to review the winter preparedness of various departments and assess the arrangements being put in place ahead of the forthcoming winter season.
During the two day visit, the DC undertook a night stay and interacted with members of the civil society and the general public to take stock of local issues, developmental concerns and public grievances,
The meeting was attended by SDM Karnah, Firdous Ahmad Qadri, Tehsildar, BMO, BDO, Executive Engineer R&B, Executive Engineer Hydraulic, and representatives of PDD, PMGSY and FCS&CA.
During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner undertook a detailed review of the preparedness measures initiated by various departments to ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential services and minimise public inconvenience during the harsh winter months, particularly in view of the challenging geographical and climatic conditions of the border Sub-Division.
Key areas of review included adequate stocking and timely availability of essential commodities, uninterrupted power supply, timely snow clearance, maintenance of road connectivity, and availability of adequate medical facilities, essential medicines and emergency healthcare services.
The Deputy Commissioner took department-wise stock of the arrangements and directed all concerned officers to ensure advance preparedness and put in place effective response mechanisms to deal with any eventuality arising from heavy snowfall or adverse weather conditions. He stressed the need for adequate availability of essential supplies, timely restoration of disrupted services and prompt response to emergencies, particularly in far-flung and snowbound areas.
Emphasising the importance of maintaining road connectivity, he directed the concerned engineering departments to ensure adequate arrangements for snow clearance machinery and manpower so that essential roads and important link routes are cleared in a timely manner. The concerned departments were also directed to ensure uninterrupted power and water supply and make necessary arrangements for addressing any disruption during the winter season.
Reviewing the healthcare arrangements, the Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for adequate stocking of essential medicines, availability of medical staff and proper functioning of healthcare facilities. He directed the health authorities to ensure that emergency medical services remain accessible to the public, particularly during periods of heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions.
The Deputy Commissioner also stressed the effective implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) in the Sub-Division, highlighting the strategic importance of its seven strategic Vibrant Villages. He underscored the need for focused developmental interventions, strengthening of basic infrastructure, improved connectivity and enhanced access to essential services in these villages. He called upon the concerned departments to ensure coordinated efforts towards improving the quality of life of residents while promoting sustainable development in these strategically important border areas, including Amroohi, Nawagabra, Seemari, Teetwal and Hajitra.
He further directed the concerned officers to strengthen inter-departmental coordination and maintain close communication to ensure a swift response to public grievances and emerging requirements. Stressing that winter preparedness must be undertaken well in advance, he called upon all departments to remain on high alert and ensure that no gap in essential service delivery causes inconvenience to the people.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasised that the administration remains committed to addressing the concerns of the people of Karnah and ensuring the availability of essential services throughout the winter season. He directed all line departments to work in close coordination, maintain a proactive approach and ensure timely implementation of all preparedness measures, with public welfare remaining the foremost priority.
