JAMMU: Relief and Rehabilitation (M), J&K, Dr. Arvind Karwani, inspected the ongoing developmental works in Jagti and Nagrota migrant camps. The progress of extension of social sector schemes to the eligible migrant beneficiaries was also reviewed.
He was accompanied during the visit by senior officers of the Relief Organization and Nodal Officers from the allied Government Departments like Jal Shakti Department, Public Works Department(R&B), Jammu Power Development Corporation and Tehsildars/Camp Commandants.
The Executive Engineer PWD(R&B) Nagrota apprised about the major/renovation works started in migrant camps which, inter-alia, includes repair/ renovation of more than 200 building blocks and about 5000 flats and community halls etc in all migrant camps in Jammu. Pertinent to mention that the Government has recently accorded administrative approval involving financial implications of Rs 82.45 Cr for these works.
This is the first time ever that repair and renovation work of such magnitude has been started in the migrant camps, fulfilling a long pending demand of the migrants. Besides, PWD(R&B) has formulated a comprehensive project for development of internal roads/lanes, development of parks and face lifting of all migrant schools, health dispensaries and Sub-District Hospital Jagti.
Dr Karwani emphasised upon conducting a structural audit of all buildings and instructed to ensure good quality of works in due consultation with the public and concerned camp commandants.
While reviewing the status of basic amenities like safe drinking water, power supply and sanitation in the camps, the Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner was apprised that the water supply infrastructure damaged due to losses in floods last year has been fully renovated and all the bore wells have also been made fully functional.
He instructed the officers of the Jal Shakti Department to take all requisite measures to ensure uninterrupted water supply in the migrant camps and press adequate water tanker supply in the operation to supplement the water shortage as and when required. It was apprised that as a long term solution, the Jal Shakti Department has conceived a major project with tentative financial implication of about Rs 10 Cr for improvement/augmentation of the water supply in Jagti Township. Dr Karwani emphasised upon conducting of water quality tests at frequent intervals to ensure clean and hygienic drinking water supply.
The UEED apprised that Sewage Treatment Plants involving financial implications of about Rs 11.5 Cr have been finalised for Migrant Camps Nagrota, Muthi-Buta Nagar and Purkhoo, on the lines of similar STP functional at Jagti township and work will commence shortly, thereby fulfilling a long pending demand.
The Relief Commissioner was also apprised that the tender formalities for construction of multi- purpose community halls in all migrant camps involving about 20 Cr are in final stages. This infrastructure is envisaged to provide space for self help groups especially women SHGs, library facility for students and promotion of culture and heritage.
Regarding extension of social sector schemes, it was observed that nearly 3000 families have availed benefits of social sector schemes, subsequent to the digitization and integration of the migrant ration cards into the national database. The next round of outreach camps is starting from 30th September at various locations in Jammu to disseminate awareness/facilitation in filling of online applications about various social sector/welfare schemes, self employment and skill development schemes of the Government.
Senior officers of the Relief Organization were directed to ensure weekly visits in the camps assigned to them as per the roster of duty and take stock of all development works and grievances of the camp inmates, including those related to immovable properties in Kashmir Valley. The officers were also directed to supervise door to door campaign launched to reach out to all potential eligible beneficiaries of social sector/welfare schemes and facilitate them with documentation and filling of online applications for these schemes.
Dr. Karwani emphasised upon reaching out to each and every potential beneficiary of social sector/welfare schemes and reiterated commitment of the Government to extend these benefits to migrants.
