Kathua: Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region and PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh, handed over Rs 10 Lakh to Deputy Commissioner Kathua as contribution raised by Voluntary and Personal sources for the wards of Covid victims here Saturday.
During his visit, Dr Jitendra Singh also met a group of children who had lost their bread-earner during the current pandemic.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the country is passing through trying times due to the intense second wave of Corona virus. He said Jammu province has also recorded a high Covid positivity rate during the recent wave in which many lost their bread earners thus making life difficult for those families. He said, it is not in any way possible to compensate for the loss of the near and dear ones, but to live up to the call of our conscience, we have sought to make a very small and a humble effort to stand by these children.
He said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, had taken the lead in coming forward to announce substantial financial support for such children and this humane move inspires all of us to contribute or do whatever possible within our means to help those affected by the unprecedented calamity.
Dr Singh said Government of India is continuously extending all possible help to Jammu and Kashmir in its fight against deadly Covid-19. “To provide immediate relief, the Government of India has authorized the respective Member Parliament to reallocate Rs 2.5 crore of MPLAD funds for Covid mitigation efforts in the districts of their constituency which has helped to provide necessary medical and health care equipments’, he added.
He said the healthcare institutions of Jammu & Kashmir have been upgraded with necessary medical infrastructure including augmentation of oxygen supply and increased bed strength to provide proper healthcare to more patients.
Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated DC Kathua for preemptive preparations to ensure surplus availability of Oxygen, immediate alternative arrangements in the form of Oxygen cylinders from the neighbouring districts when need arises.
The Union Minister expressed satisfaction that the recent surge in Jammu & Kashmir has been on a progressive decline during the last two weeks.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Rahul Yadav, presented ongoing Covid scenario and mitigation efforts of the district administration.
Also present were DDC Chairperson, Mahan Singh, DDC Vice-Chairman Raghunandan Singh, Municipal Chairman Kathua Naresh Sharma, Municipal Chairman Lakhanpur Ravinder Sharma, Former Minister, Rajiv Jasrotia, Chairman Hiranagar Municipal Advocate Vijay Sharma and other officers of the administration.
