JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today chaired a series of meetings with COVID Task Force, Deputy Commissioners and SPs from across the UT, in which important decisions were taken to strengthen the Covid containment efforts in J&K.
“Protect and save precious lives by discharging your duties with determination, dedication and greater responsibility. Put in your best efforts and work round-the-clock to ensure the availability of all the necessary medicare facilities, besides laying a strong rapid response mechanism in all districts in order to deal with the emerging situation”, an official communiqué quoted Lt Governor asking the officers.
He said that rate of vaccination and testing, effective management of Covid Care Centres will be the parameters for monitoring performance of the officers.
Taking cognizance of the low vaccination rate in some districts, the Lt Governor passed strict directions to the DCs for scaling-up the vaccination in their respective districts, said the communiqué.
“Maximize the testing for areas with high positivity rate. Fix vaccination & testing targets for Tehsildars and BDOs. Share good practices and take comprehensive measures to bring down the Covid positivity rate across the districts, besides tracking the trend on daily basis”, the communiqué quoted LG directing the DCs.
The DCs were asked to prepare a futuristic plan to contain the spread of the deadly virus and to take prompt action on Covid related issues and regularly brief the media providing factual and accurate information to the public.
Emphasizing on regulating the movement of people during the restrictions, the Lt Governor directed the Divisional Commissioners and DCs to streamline the process of issuance of passes.
While reviewing the district-wise status of preparations being made to contain the spread of Corona virus in rural areas, the Lt Governor set timelines for establishment of 5-bedded Covid Care Centres at panchayat level across J&K, said the communiqué.
“We are decentralizing the Covid management, which is essential for effective and efficient public health system. Focus on strengthening primary health care in rural areas. There is a need to increase the availability and accessibility of healthcare support system in far flung areas,” the communiqué quoted Lt Governor as saying.
The Lt Governor instructed the Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department to lay a comprehensive mechanism for monitoring the operationalization of Covid care centres in Panchayats.
He also laid stress on proper training of ASHA and Anganwadi workers, besides mobilizing PRIs and volunteers and utilizing SDRF funds for effective management of Covid care centres at panchayat level.
The Lt Governor further underlined the need for spreading massive awareness in villages regarding oxygen saturation level and educating the people on when to seek medical attention.
Reiterating the directions issued in earlier meetings, the Lt Governor called for ensuring timely payments under MGNREGA, and continuous extension of benefits of various beneficiary oriented schemes. He further asked the Rural Development and Social Welfare Departments to put a close monitoring on the implementation of welfare measures like special pension for life and scholarships for children being taken by the Government to help those who unfortunately lost their loved ones to Covid-19.
On the development front, the Lt Governor directed the DCs for early submission of the District Plans. The District Plan must reflect the participation of all stakeholders, besides replicating the developmental aspirations of the people, he added.
Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department gave a detailed overview about the status of Oxygen generation and supply, bed occupancy in hospitals, containment activities, status of vaccination drive under different age groups, district-wise daily and weekly trends of Covid-19 cases, positivity rate, recovery rate etc., said the communiqué.
