*Assesses availability of essential commodities
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired a meeting to review the progress of key e-governance and digital transformation initiatives being implemented across Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG-N).
The meeting besides the Secretary, IT, Dr. Piyush Singla; and Special Director General, BISAG-N, Vinay Thakur; was attended by the concerned Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, senior police officers, representatives from the National Informatics Centre, and other stakeholder agencies.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary undertook a comprehensive review of the progress achieved in developing various online platforms across departments aimed at enhancing governance efficiency and improving public service delivery. He sought a detailed, first-hand appraisal from BISAG-N regarding the readiness of these platforms, while also directing departments to address bottlenecks hindering their timely completion and rollout.
Dr. Piyush Singla apprised the meeting of the overall status of ongoing and upcoming digital initiatives across departments, highlighting completed platforms and outlining their benefits in terms of transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centric service delivery.
Special DG, Vinay Thakur emphasized the need to make these initiatives more outcome-driven and time-bound, and advised departments to designate nodal officers for sustained coordination with BISAG-N to ensure successful implementation.
Among the key digital platforms reviewed during the meeting were the AI-based GST Fraud Detection System of the Finance Department and the End-to-End Energy Tracking and Management System (EETMS) for the Discoms under the Power Development Department. The meeting also reviewed improvements in portals such as JKCIP, Kisan Khidmat Ghar, Daksh Kisan Mobile App, and Kisan Sathi developed by the Agriculture Production Department.
The Chief Secretary stressed the need for integration of the recently launched Single Window for Recruitment Rules (SWRR-JK) with the e-Office platform to ensure seamless functioning. He also underscored the importance of introducing similar digital systems for the online conduct of Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs).
The Home Department informed the meeting about the readiness of an AI-based search engine designed to assist investigation officers, particularly in preparing charge sheets under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, which is set to be rolled out shortly.
Other major platforms reviewed included the JK Sehat Mobile App, Jal Shakti Mobile App, J&K PWD asset mapping application, J&K Industrial Mobile App, MSME Health Clinic App, District Good Governance Index platform, Village Planning Portal of the Planning Department, digitization of SRTC data, and the J&K Anganwadi Tracking System.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary chaired a high-level meeting with the concerned Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners and District Administrations to review the availability and distribution of essential commodities across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in light of the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia, with the aim of ensuring adequate buffering against any potential supply chain disruptions.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed public grievances registered through helplines and their disposal by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and district administrations, while emphasizing the need for intensified IEC campaigns and strict inspections across districts to prevent hoarding, overpricing and black marketing of essential commodities, including fertilizers and food grains. He underscored the importance of ensuring 70 percent supply to commercial and industrial sectors in both divisions and called for expediting e-KYC of all active consumers.
Commissioner Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Saurabh Bhagat, informed that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure smooth supply across the UT, including availability of 5 kg LPG cylinders for migrant populations and labourers, and issuance of orders to ensure 70 percent supply to commercial and industrial establishments in accordance with Government of India guidelines.
For Jammu Division, the Divisional Commissioner, Ramesh Kumar apprised that the Division has an availability of 7,325 KL of Petrol and 27,241 KL of Diesel, besides maintaining a robust 49-day cover for Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) and 12 days for Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), thereby ensuring uninterrupted essential services. Districts including Udhampur, Kathua and Doda reported strong stock levels, while Kishtwar and Ramban are being closely monitored to continuously replenish their 3-4 day buffers through transit supplies.
For Kashmir Division, the Divisional Commissioner, Anshul Garg informed the meeting that the Kashmir Division currently holds 7,721 KL of Petrol and 13,487 KL of Diesel, which along with transit stocks provides a reserve cover of 19 days for Petrol and 21 days for Diesel, while LPG reserves stand at 4,072 MT ensuring a 16-day cover.
The Chief Secretary directed district administrations to strictly monitor market prices to prevent hoarding and overcharging under the pretext of international developments and to ensure seamless last-mile delivery of LPG and other essential commodities, particularly in remote and far-flung areas, while reassuring the public that the UT is well-prepared with sufficient reserves and that there is no need for panic as existing stock levels and supplies in transit are adequate to maintain normalcy across Jammu & Kashmir.
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