JAMMU: Minister for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Relief & Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari has reiterated the commitment of the government to address the grievances of Kashmiri migrants related to relief and other basic facilities.
The Minister stated this while chairing a meeting to discuss the issues concerning Kashmiri migrants, here today.
Commissioner Secretary Relief & Rehabilitation, Navin Kumar Chaudhary, Secretary Social Welfare, Sanjeev Verma, Secretary Health and Medical Education, Mandeep Bhandari, Additional Commissioner Jammu, Rehana Batul, Relief Commissioner, R K Pandita, Director Finance, Relief and Rehabilitation, Director Health Services, Special Secretary Relief and Rehabilitation, DC Relief (Migrants), Representatives of PDD, PHE, R&B, CA&PD, besides Assistant Commissioner Relief, Zonal Officers and Camp Commandants were also present in the meeting.
The Minister held extensive discussions regarding relief and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Migrants covering aspects related to relief, healthcare, water supply, electricity, ration, and other basic amenities.
In a significant move, it was decided in the meeting that the relief which is at present given in the form of cheque shall be directly transferred to bank accounts of all relief category migrants from January 2016 on-wards.
It was also decided in the meeting that all relief category migrants shall be given an option to choose if they would want to take ration or cash in lieu of monthly ration. The Minister also asked the relief Commissioner to ensure that next of kin of the relief category migrants with authorization are also provided ration.
Regarding the issue of bifurcation of ration cards, it was decided that the process will be simplified and the Minister asked the concerned officers to ensure that all pending cases are addressed by 31st December.
Commissioner Secretary, Relief and Rehabilitation asked the Relief Commissioner to come up with a citizens charter with regard to services being provided by the department so that timely and hassle free services are provided.
During the meeting the matter with regard to direct transfer of salaries to the bank accounts of Kashmiri migrant employees posted in the Kashmir Valley was also examined.
The Minister asked the concerned to ensure that benefits of the recently launched schemes are also extended to Kashmiri Migrants originally residing in those areas covered under the area specific schemes.
With regard to medical facilities available in migrant camps, the Minister asked Secretary Health and Medical Education to ensure adequate supply of medicines and staffing at the said sub centers. He also asked Director Health Services to rationalize number of staff at these sub centres and ensure that surplus staff is engaged at other healthcare institutions.
To ensure hassle free water supply in the camps, the Minister sought the action taken report from PHE department with regard to water supply scheme at Jagti Township. He asked the concerned to submit the said report within a week.
To ensure timely and adequate supply of monthly ration under relief categories, Bukhari asked the concerned officers to ensure timely availability of ration at sale outlets in the camps each month. He also asked them to ensure that weighing scales are available and are functional at all such outlets. He asked Additional Commissioner Jammu to carry out a survey of the migrant camps with regard to availability of weighing scales and to give a feedback and suggest action within a week.
The Minister called for installation of biometric attendance for employees of all departments in Migrant camps to ensure their attendance for hassle free service to the migrants.
During the meeting, the Relief Commissioner also highlighted the issue of inadequate engineering support staff to carry out its works programme and regular maintenance and repairs. The Minister said that the matter will be examined on priority and shall be taken up with the concerned Ministry.
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