Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu said today that the Union Territory administration of Jammu and Kashmir has been facing problems in tackling Coronavirus situation because of the movements of Tablighi Jamaat but added that they have been keeping intense surveillance and have identified hotspots to preempt the outbreak of disease.
Murmu was speaking at video conference of the Governors, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators with President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Coronavirus situation across the country.
Jammu and Kashmir has so far reported 75 COVID-19 positive cases including 57 in the Kashmir valley and 18 in Jammu region while civil and police administration have identified and sent for quarantine a number of Tablighi Jamaat cadre who had participated in the organization’s Nizamuddin congregation. FIRs have also been registered against them for hiding travel history.
Two separate official statements issued by Central and UT Governments after the video conference quoted Murmu as saying that the Union Territory administration has been keeping intensive surveillance and has identified hotspots to preempt the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic.
However, he said, the Government is facing problems because of the movements of Tablighi Jamaat members.
Murmu, assured that the administration is taking care of migrant workers, students and has also set up adequate quarantine centres.
“We are also ensuring food supplies to far-flung areas,” he said while responding to a query from the Vice President.
Murmu has regularly been holding review meetings with civil, police and health officers to monitor the situation arising out of Coronavirus.
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Radha Krishna Mathur expressed concern over rise in cases due to the return of pilgrims from Iran, where some of them had been infected.
He pointed out that inaccessibility of certain areas and tough terrain makes operation rather difficult.
Mathur appreciated the work of voluntary, religious and social organisations in providing help to people in need, the statement said.
The Union Territory of Ladakh has so far reported 14 COVID-19 positive cases but three of them have been treated successfully and since discharged from the hospital.
Intervening in the discussion, President Ram Nath Kovind urged all Governors to revive units of the Red Cross Society and take their help.
Kovind reiterated that he along with the Vice President would always be available for consultation if need arises, the statement added.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu urged Governors/Lt Governors and administrators to spread awareness about the measures initiated by the Government in helping farmers in this harvesting season.
Naidu commended Governors/Lt Governors and Administrators for their insightful views and keeping their ears to the ground to ensure the welfare of people.
He extolled doctors and health workers for serving people in face of grave risk and displaying exemplary courage and conviction.
A J&K UT Government handout said while apprising the President about the measures taken by the administration for prevention, management, and containment of Coronavirus, Murmu informed that around 28,000 guest labourers are being housed in various camps across J&K and are taken care of by the administration during the period of lockdown.
“Further, local religious and spiritual leaders have been taken onboard for awareness, contact tracing, and providing relief. Block Level Coordination Committees have been constituted to comprehensively monitor the supply of essentials, to keep a check on the prices and ensure social distancing is followed in banks and ration outlets,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He stated that the seamless flow of all essential commodities/medicines/perishable items in and out of the UT has been ensured. He said the administration has ensured advance distribution of ration across J&K. In addition, dry ration under the Mid-day meal scheme has also been distributed to the students in advance as the schools remain closed, he added.
He observed that the Agriculture sector is one of the top priorities of the UT administration and steps are being taken to ensure adequate supply of mechanized farm machines, fertilizers, seeds etc to the farming community, besides devising plans for their movement during the lockdown period strictly adhering to the social distancing norms.
The handout said the President and Vice-President expressed satisfaction on the efforts of the UT Administration; however, they called for sustained efforts across the board including continuous interactions among the Governors, Lt Governors and Administrators to effectively counter the Coronavirus pandemic and at the same time providing relief to the stranded labourers, destitute and ensuring supply of commodities to the population in hilly areas.
The other Governors who gave a briefing about the initiatives in their states include Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik, Odisha Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal, Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu, Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi, Mizoram Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai and Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla, the statement said.