By Ranjit Thakur
Jammu, Jan 18:
With entire government machinery engaged in efforts for restoring supplies and services affected due to heavy snowfall in the valley last weekend, snow bound areas of the Jammu region have been facing neglect leaving poor people of these peripheral districts in state of acute deprivation.
As most areas of Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts have been cut off due to heavy snow, inhabitants of these areas that depend heavily on the public distribution system (PDS) have been facing shortage of ration and kerosene. Breakdown of primary healthcare services in these areas has also exposed these generally poor people to extreme difficulties in sub zero temperatures.
Sources informed Kashmir Images that there has been complete break down in the primary healthcare services in Dessa area, having a population of about 40,000. "People have to travel 40 to 50 kms to reach district hospital Doda for treatment braving chilly weather and broken link roads" said a local leader.
Senior BJP leader and former MLA Bali Bhagat has been demanding air dropping of Ration, woolens, blankets and other essential commodities in the unprecedented snow hit areas in the erstwhile Doda district. He also demanded shifting of patients from severely snow affected areas in Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts to the respective district Hospitals for providing them adequate Medicare.
"Due to continued snowing in upper reaches of these districts, there is acute shortage of essential commodities and life saving drugs in the area" said Bhagat, urging the Government for special attention to areas like Dessa, Siraz, upper reaches of Ramban, Bhaderwah, Padder, Marwah and Dachan as the people of these areas are suffering enormously due to non-availability of ration and due to severe cold triggered by continuous snowing.
While speaking to Kashmir Images, local MLA Ramban Ashok Kumar said that, they have already asked the departments to immediately provide food grains in these areas, however he admitted that there may be some shortage which will be met up soon.
Speaking to Kashmir Images, minister for CAPD Qamar Ali Akhoon said, "ration stocks had already been stored to capacity in advance in hill areas of entire state, however, any difficulties with regards to distribution due to inclement weather shall be taken care of by the respective DDCs who have been issued directions." "Scale of Kerosene has been enhanced from 5 litters to 7 litters in Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban" the minister added.
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