Ex-MLA seeks restoration of utility services in snow hit areas

Ex-MLA Aijaz Jan during visit to snow-hit area of Mandi in Poonch on Sunday.
Ex-MLA Aijaz Jan during visit to snow-hit area of Mandi in Poonch on Sunday.

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Jan 16: Jammu and Kashmir Youth National Conference Provincial president and former MLA Poonch- Haveli Aijaz Jan today urged the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to take expeditious measures in restoration of key utility services in the snow-hit Poonch district, saying the life in far-flung areas of the district continues to be haywire.
During his interaction with the suffering people, Jan shared the condition about no steps taken on the snow clearance front that has aggravated the sufferings of the residents, especially on road connectivity, power and drinking water fronts. These utility services needed to be attended on war footing keeping in view the accumulation of snow, he added.
He said the grievances redressal mechanism too needs to be strengthened, especially at the local levels, for people voicing their problems for effective disposal by the concerned Government agencies.
The Provincial Youth NC president, who undertook extensive visit of the far flung areas, said the status of snow clearance and restoration measures by line departments including Mechanical Engineering Department, Roads and Building Department, Urban Local Bodies, Jal Shakti Department, JPDCL is far from satisfactory, especially in the upper reaches of the Mandi, and Lohran areas. He stressed the need for mitigating the grievances of the people.
Jan urged the LG administration to issue necessary directions to the concerned departments to put in place all necessary measures to minimize the sufferings of the people. He sought formation of teams for taking stock of supply of various essentials to the consumers including rations, kerosine oil and sugar in the upper reaches of the district and oversee that the supply chain is not disrupted at any cost.
Expressing concern over the unavailability of medicines and drugs in the local PHCs, TB centers and other health centers, he impressed upon the administration to ensure accountability of medics and paramedics at all the health centers in the district.
Senior members Gourav Kapoor, Rafiq Diku, Gulla Fiku, Shunulla Sheikh, Abdul Aziz, Abdul Ahad Kamrate and Hamid Dar also accompanied Jan.