हिंदी
Leh: Sep. 05: A high level meeting chaired by Advisor to LG UT Ladakh Umang Narula to review the preparedness for winter management in Ladakh was held today.
Secretaries of various departments Finance, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Health, Food & Civil Supplies, and Cooperatives; Divisional Commissioner Ladakh; Inspector General of Police; DCs of Leh & Kargil; and other departmental officers of the Union Territory took part in the meeting.
Divisional Commissioner Saugat Biswas appraised the steps those have already been taken by the Deputy Commissioners, various departments of the UT, FCI, IOCL & HPCL and the Cooperative Societies for ensuring winter stocking for the coming winters. It was brought out that the Food Corporation of India and Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs departments are well stocked with food grains till September 2021. During the second phase of the distribution of ration under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojna 65% beneficiaries have been covered and the remaining distribution of work is in progress.
The IOCL appraised the chair that this winter’s Special Winter Grade diesel will be available in their petrol pumps. The oil companies have ensured complete stocking to cater to demand during winter which will be regularly replenished till the time of road closure. The IOCL also informed that before the onset of winter every effort will be made to set up petrol pumps at remote locations of the Union Territory, the important ones being at Zanskar (Padum) and Nubra.
Advisor Narula impressed upon the IOCL to immediately enhance the capacity for storage of Air Traffic Fuel (ATF) in coordination with the Indian Air Force and the Deputy Commissioner Leh.
Utilising the Special Development Package the FCS&CA department is in the process of installing kerosene tanks at 20 strategic locations for more efficient stocking and distribution of kerosene in far-off areas like Zanskar and similar such places informed the FCS&CA officials.
The Deputy Commissioner Leh appraised that the cold storage being constructed at Leh will become functional by the end of September and will be able to store 1000 metric tons of essential food supplies, milk and meat products.
Divisional Commissioner Ladakh informed that the Merchant Associations of both the districts are preparing the commodity-wise inventory of supplies that they will procure as stocks for the winter before the closure of the roads to Ladakh.
Advisor Narula instructed the Divisional Commissioner and Secretary Cooperatives Ravinder Kumar to ensure that the amount of winter stocking of food grains required beyond the capacity of Merchant Associations to be procured timely by the Cooperative Societies and a seamless distribution network be planned immediately.
Narula also emphasised the importance of stocking adequate fodder for the animals in both Leh and Kargil so that there is no shortage of fodder in Ladakh during the coming winters.
The Health Department appraised that the work orders for procurement of medicines are being issued and all medicines and supplies of medicines for the Health Department shall be procured timely by the mid of October.
The Advisor desired that all important Health facilities be equipped with oxygen plants and space heating systems timely.
He directed that the Power Development Department should create an inventory of critical spare parts which can be utilised for any breakdowns, ensure procurements of diesel for DG sets and get all transmission lines inspected by the Power Grid Corporation well in time with a view to ensuring zero disruption of power connectivity during winters. He also emphasised on immediate construction of hangars for ensuring heli-services and arranging for air cargo services for air transportation of essential goods during the winters.
The participants of the meeting were exhorted to ensure that during the ensuing winter there should be no shortage of essential commodities for the convenience of the general public.
