Anantnag | Oct,10: Relief and Rehabilitation (M) Dr. Arvind KarwaniSaturday inspected progress of ongoing developmental works in migrant camps, besides convening a public hearing at Mini-Township Jagti. The progress of extension of social sector schemes to the eligible migrant beneficiaries was also reviewed. He was accompanied by senior officers of the Relief Organization and Nodal Officers from the allied Government Departments like Jal Shakti Department, Public Works Department(R&B), Jammu Power Development Corporation, Urban Environmental Engineering Department(UEED) , Jammu Municipal Corporation and Tehsildars/Camp Commandants.
The PWD(R&B) Nagrota apprised about the major/renovation works started in all migrant camps since last month. The works include repair/renovation of more than 200 building blocks and about 5000 flats and community halls etc in all migrant camps across Jammu.
The Government has recently accorded administrative approval for these works, involving financial implications of Rs 82.45 Cr. This is the first time ever that repair and renovation work of such magnitude has been started in the migrant camps, fulfilling a long pending demand of the migrants. Besides, PWD(R&B) has formulated a comprehensive project for development of internal roads/lanes, development of parks and face-lifting of all migrant schools, health dispensaries and Sub-District Hospital Jagti.
Dr Karwani emphasised upon ensuring structural audit of all buildings and good quality of works, in due consultation with the public and concerned camp commandants. He reviewed the extension of benefits of the social sector schemes to eligible migrants. He also attended an outreach camp at Jagti organized by the Relief & Rehabilitation Organization in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department. The officials generated awareness about various social sector schemes and facilitated applicants in filling of application forms, free of any cost.
It was apprised that nearly 3500 families have availed benefits of social sector schemes, subsequent to the digitization and integration of the migrant ration cards into the national database, which has made migrants eligible for availing these benefits, in addition to the monthly relief assistance. This round of outreach camps has been started from 30th September at various locations in Jammu to disseminate awareness/facilitation in filling of online applications about various social sector/welfare schemes, self-employment and skill development schemes of the Government.
The Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner also reviewed the status of basic amenities like safe drinking water, power supply and sanitation in the camp. The water supply infrastructure damaged due to losses in floods last year has been fully renovated and all the bore wells and hand pumps have also been made fully functional. He instructed the officers of the Jal Shakti Department to take all requisite measures to ensure uninterrupted water supply in the migrant camps and ensure regular water quality tests. It was apprised that as a long term solution, the Jal Shakti Department has conceived a major project with tentative financial implication of about Rs 10 Cr for improvement/augmentation of the water supply in Jagti Township.
The UEED apprised that Sewage Treatment Plants involving financial implications of about Rs 11.5 Cr have been finalised for Migrant Camps Nagrota, Muthi-Buta Nagar and Purkhoo on the lines of STP functional at Jagti township and work on the same will commence shortly, thereby fulfilling a long pending demand. Besides, the existing STP at Jagti is proposed to be upgraded with a financial implication of about Rs 4.5 Cr.
The Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner was also apprised that the tender formalities for construction of multi- purpose community halls in all migrant camps involving about Rs 20 Cr have been finalised and work shall be started shortly. This infrastructure is envisaged to provide space for self-help groups especially women SHGs, library facility for students and promotion of culture and heritage.
The officers of the Relief Organization were directed to ensure close supervision on the ongoing development works in the field and facilitate resolution of grievances of the camp inmates, including those related to immovable properties in Kashmir Valley.
The officers were also directed to supervise door to door campaign launched to reach out to all potential eligible beneficiaries of social sector/welfare schemes and facilitate them with documentation and filling of online applications for these schemes.
Dr.Karwani emphasised upon reaching out to each and every potential beneficiary of social sector/welfare schemes and reiterated commitment of the Government to extend these benefits to migrants. He appealed to the public to use the forum of daily public hearing for any facilitation or resolution of their grievances, when all Zonal Offices at Jammu, Udhampur and Srinagar are connected on video-conference at 12 noon with the head office of Relief Organization and all officers are available for addressing public issues.
