Return of Labourers: Div Com (J) reviews arrangements for movement of labourers from Kashmir to Katra

Jammu: As the Government has decided to send back migrant labourers who have been stuck here in Jammu and Kashmir due to nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, Wednesday chaired a meeting to review the arrangements for movement of labourers from Kashmir to Katra.
The Government has put in service special trains for return of labourers to their native States and UTs which are scheduled to run from Katra railway station from 13 to 15 June.
The meeting was attended by Labour Commissioner, J&K, Staff Officer to IGP, NHAI officials and other concerned officers while Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioners along with SSPs of Anantnag, Ramban, Udhampur and Reasi districts participated through video conferencing.
The meeting had threadbare discussion on various issues related to provisions of food and water, halting facilities, screening of labourers and other arrangements for smooth movements of labourers from Kashmir to Katra.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir informed that over 1600 labourers would be sent in phase-1 on June 12 from Srinagar to Katra for their further journey to their respective states. He also informed that around 50 to 70 SRTC buses have been arranged for their smooth movement upto Katra while adequate arrangements have been put in place for providing packed food, water to the labourers. It was also informed that a special squad would be there with fleet of buses to monitor the process.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu sought details of arrangements being put in place enroute by the concerned district administrations for the movement.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Udhampur and Reasi apprised the Div Com that the district administrations would facilitate movement of buses by providing food and water besides deploying official squads. It was also informed that quick response teams would also be there to facilitate the movement.