Srinagar: Principal Secretary, Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) and Mining, Ashok Kumar Parmar today reviewed the progress on several ongoing developmental projects of I&FC department across Kashmir division during a meeting held at the Civil Secretariat here.
The meeting was attended by DDC Chairman, Srinagar Aftab Malik; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P.K Pole; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Assad; Commissioner SMC, Athar Aamir Ul Shafi Khan; Chief Engineer, I&FC Kashmir, Superintending Engineers of various divisions, senior officers of I&FC department, DDC members of Budgam and Srinagar districts and other officials of several line departments.
Speaking during the meeting, the Principal Secretary impressed upon the officers to expedite the pace of work on all ongoing projects and asked them for timely submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs) of all completed works. He also directed the officers to take necessary steps in consonance with other departments for timely completion of ongoing projects.
The Principal Secretary stressed on the officers to maintain quality of works at all construction sites besides all the guidelines of CVC and GFR should be adhered to while carrying out tendering of works.
While reviewing the measures for flood management, the Principal Secretary directed the officers that to avoid any last minute rush at the time of any exigency, the department should prepare a long term and short term plan for proper flood management across the Kashmir division. He impressed upon the officers that the dredging should be expedited across the River Jehlum as well as its tributaries besides all the spots and points should be identified in advance which have maximum chances of breaching during floods.
The Principal Secretary also directed the concerned officials to raise the embankments at all vulnerable spots besides carrying out dredging works at critical points to increase the carrying capacity of the river as well as Flood Spill Channel.
He further asked the officials to evolve an effective mechanism for controlling the soil erosion around the embankments besides formulating a long term plan for management of tributaries so as to reduce the impact of floods. He asked them to initiate necessary steps in consonance with law enforcement agencies for stopping mining activities along the embankments as this forms the base for breach of these embankments.
During the meeting, the Chief Engineer informed the Principal Secretary about the progress on all the ongoing projects in detail. He also apprised the meeting that Khushal Sar and Gil Sar Lakes have been revived and restored by the department which are natural water bodies that were greatly disturbed by human intervention and mass scale encroachments.
The Chief Engineer also informed the Principal Secretary that several other abandoned lakes and water bodies are being revived by the department across Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Ashok Kumar Parmar chaired a meeting to review the functioning and progress of the Mining Department at the Civil Secretariat here.
The meeting was attended by the Director, Geology & Mining Department, Joint Director, Geology & Mining Department and District Mineral Officers of Kashmir division.
At the outset, Director Geology and Mining briefed the Principal Secretary about the procedure adopted by the Department in e-auction of Minor Mineral Blocks and grant of Mining Leases.
The Principal Secretary discussed important issues like issuance of Environmental Clearances (ECs) and Consent to Operate (CTO) for Operationalization of remaining Minor Mineral Blocks.
While chairing the meeting, the Principal Secretary said that J&K is an ecologically sensitive area and we need to be very careful regarding the mining activities.
He directed the DMOs to remain active in order to check the reports of illegal mining activities coming out from various areas. He said that it is the responsibility of the DMOs to stop any illegal mining going on in their respective districts and take prompt measures in this regard. To curb the case of illegal mining during odd hours, he directed the DMOs to work in close coordination with the district administration and said they will be provided every kind of support.
The Principal Secretary further said that he will be personally visiting the mineral blocks to get a firsthand account of the various issues.
Director also informed the meeting that the department has already taken a slew of measures to check illegal mining and vehicles involved in illegal transportation have been seized.
