KNZ NEWS DESK
Kupwara, Oct. 07: In a meeting involving civil administration and Police, Chief Secretary J&K, BVR Subramaniyam undertook a detailed review regarding arrangments put in place for conduct of smooth, free and fair Urban Local Body polls and Panchayat elections. The Chief Secretary also took a comprehensive review of developmental works being executed by various agencies in the district.
The meeting was attended by DIG North Kashmir, SSP Kupwara and Handwara, ADDC Kupwara, ADC Handwara, ASP Kupwara, Commanding Officer 98 Bn. CRPF, 162 Bn. CRPF, SDM Lolab/Karnah, ROs Handwara and Kupwara, Nodal Officers, District Information Officer, Zonal and Sectoral Magistrates and others concerned.
District Election Officer Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir informed the Chief Secretary about arrangements made regarding ensuing Municipal elections including details of EROs, numbers of electors in three Municipalities of Kupwara, Handwara and Langate, number of migrant voters, number of polling stations, RO and AROs in each municipality, deployment of polling staff, deployment of magistrates, appointment of mircro-observers, liaison officers, schedule of elections, availability of election related material including randomization of EVMs as per guidelines of ECI, distribution of election material, web casting of polling stations and implementation of Model Code of Conduct.
Chief Secretary instructed the DEO that all measures should be taken to ensure that MCC is adhered in letter and spirit, observers allowed to work without any interference, and all plans should be worked out meticulously to avoid any inconvenience to both contestants and voters.
The Returning Officers informed the Chair that a total of 51 candidates are contesting the ULB polls including 29 from Kupwara, 18 from Handwara and four from Langate Municipality.
The DEO apprised the Chair that familirization drills has been properly conducted, Dispatch Centres have been set up, single Strong Room and Counting Centre for all the three Municipalities established keeping in view the scale of elections, Election Control Room and Help Desk towards redressal of grievances and queries set up, transport plan framed and vehicels identified and rumeration of polling staff already disbursed.
The meeting discussed security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the election to the ULB and Panchayats and need of a safe environment for the elections.
Chief Secretary urged all officer and stakeholders to understand the need for providing enabling environment to the people to enthusiastically participate in the elections, ensure condusive environment and funtion as facilitators for strengthening grass-roots democratic institutions.
Later, Chief Secretary took a comprehensive review of various developmental works going on in the district. He directed the district adminstration to ensure completion of languishing Projects by March- June this year. He impressed upon the SE PWD to mobilise men and machinary on war footing towards completion of 17 bridges languishing since decades during this year only and seek sanction of remaining projects within next ten days positively. He also instructed SE PWD to take up macdamisation of roads pending as early as possible keeping in mind the climatic conditions required for the same.
District Development Commissioner projected the need to diversify tourism potential of Kuwpara, a scenically rich district, by opening up areas hitherto unexplored besides promoting leisure, border and adventure tourism by developing Teetwal and Keran into tourist spots.
Chief Secretary also reviewd the progress under various Central and State Sponsored Schemes like PMAY, Saubhagya, Ujjala and Ujwala. ACD Kupwara informed the Chair that under PMAY, 1620 beneficiaries have been identified as per SECC and cases have been sanctioned in favour of 1579 beneficiaries. He expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved under these schems and emphasized the need to work with added zeal for sustained benefits to the people of the district.
DDC raised the demand for augmentation of grid capacity, one additional grid station for Kupwara wherever technically feasible, upgradation of three receiving station at Trehgam, Villgam and Chogal to cater to the needs of the people during the months of winter. Chief Secretary assured all possible assistance in this regard.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary instructed DDC to deploy a team of experts for selection of alignment over Drass-Gurez-Razdan Pass-Machil-Keran Corridor on priority basis.
