JK Minister reviews status of winter stocking in Leh, Kargil

Srinagar, September 26 (Scoop News)-JK Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather today called for completing 100% winter stocking in Leh and Kargil districts well before the Srinagar-Leh Highway gets closed for winter. He said targets fixed for building sufficient stocks of foodgrains, essential commodities, Petroleum products and key construction materials should be completed in full before mid-October this year so that people of the Ladakh region are not put to any hardships.
Speaking at a high level meeting convened here today to review pace of winter stocking in twin border districts of Leh and Kargil, Rather urged the need for stocking of essential commodities in far-flung areas like Sanko, Panikhar, Nobra etc which remain land locked and cut-off from the district headquarters during the harsh winter. Rather called for coordinated efforts of all the concerned departments to complete winter stocking as per the targeted schedule.
The Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Advisor to Chief Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon, Minister of State for Science and Technology Feroz Khan and representative of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and KAHDC were also present in the meeting.
Among others, Administrative heads of various departments including Principal Secretary Planning and Development B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary PDD A. K. Mehta, Commissioner Secretary Forest Ajaz Iqbal, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Shailendra Kumar, Secretary CA&PD Mohammad Abbas, Transport Commissioner Sanjeev Verma, Secretary Transport M. D. Kakroo, Director Food & Supplies Kashmir Mushtaq Ahmad and representatives of BRO, Beacon, Transport, and Traffic Departments also attended the meeting.
The Finance Minister also asked the concerned authorities of Beacon, BRO and Traffic authorities to remain in state of readiness and try to keep the Srinagar-Leh Highway open as long as possible and till ending November if possible subject to weather conditions.
While reviewing the stock position of essential commodities in Kargil district, it was stated that 22,970 qtls of atta, out of sanctioned target of 65,570 qtls through820 truck trips have been stored by the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department up to ending August this year. The Food Corporation of India has dumped the sanctioned target of 60,000 qtls of rice whereas 3000 qtls of sugar is being stocked during the next fortnight. The representatives of the Indian Oil Corporation assured that stocking of 2025 kilo litres (KL) of Motor Spirit (MS), 8000 kl of High Speed Diesel (HSD) and 2400 kl of kerosene oil in Kargil would be completed within next fortnight. The Hindustan Petroleum HP Gas Agency have to stock 90,000 Domestic Gas Cylinders and 600 commercial Gas Cylinders whereas Kargil Indane Gas Agency has a target to stock 10,000 Domestic Gas Cylinders and 1500 Commercial Gas Cylinders this winter. It was sated that stocking of Cement, Steel, CGI/PGI sheets and Bitumen by PWD SICOP, PDC is also in full swing. All the concerned departments presented the latest status about their winter stocking. These departments include Forests, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Health, Agriculture and Horticulture etc.
Winter stocking in Leh district was also reviewed in detailed. The officers of concerned departments assured that stocking of buffer stocks of required commodities as per the sanctioned targets shall be completed up to mid of October this year.
It was stated that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has been given a target to stock 80,000 qtls of rice, 1,28,000 qtls of wheat and 8,000 qtls of sugar. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation will store 55,000 filled gas cylinders and 800 commercial cylinders whereas Indian Oil of Corporation (IOC) has a target to stock 1500 mts of gas liquid in Leh. These stocks are sufficient to meet the requirements of the people for more than 6 months.
The meeting took department-wise review of the status of winter stocking which was found quite satisfactory.
MORE AT http://scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=32276