President, VP interact with Governors, LGs through video-conferencing
Lieutenant Governor (LG), Girish Chandra Murmu Friday briefed President, Ram Nath Kovind, about measure taken by J&K administration to combat COVID19 pandemic in the Union Territory (UT). The LG shared the details during a video-conference held by the President, along with Vice President (VP), M Venkaiah Naidu with Governors, LGs and administrators of all states and UTs to review the preparedness to deal with the evolving situation and discuss measures that can be taken to check the spread of COVID19. At the outset, the President, VP and the LG commended the life-saving role being played by doctors, nurses, police personnel and all other frontline warriors in the battle against COVID19 and resolved to provide them with all requisite medical and allied equipment and support. During the interaction, broad based discussions were held on various issues including availability, supply of essential commodities and medicines to people, ensuring full support to farming community during harvest season, facilitating procurement of farm produce by respective agencies, arrangements for conducting online classes/courses for students and stepping up awareness about observing social distancing norms to prevent the transmission of COVID19. Specific stress was laid on the role of involving Red Cross, civil society, socio-religious organizations, and volunteers through a Jan Bhagidari approach in complimenting the efforts of governments by sensitizing, providing relief, and succor to people. While apprising the President about the measures taken by the administration for prevention, management, and containment of coronavirus, the LG informed that around 28,000 guest labourers were being housed in various camps across J&K and were being taken care of by the administration during the lockdown. The LG said the seamless flow of all essential commodities/medicines/perishable items in and out of the UT has been ensured. It was also brought to notice that the administration has ensured advance distribution of ration across J&K. In addition, dry ration under the Mid-Day Meal scheme has also been distributed to the students in advance as the schools remain closed. He observed agriculture sector was one of the top priorities of the administration and steps were being taken to ensure adequate supply of mechanized farm machines, fertilizers and seeds to the farming community. The President and VP President expressed satisfaction on the efforts of the UT administration. However, they called for sustained efforts across the board including continuous interactions among the Governors, LGs and administrators to effectively counter the coronavirus pandemic.
