A meeting to review the transportation of essential supplies, including construction material to Ladakh region for the current year was held on April 19 in Jammu.

The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Co-operative and Ladakh Affairs Chering Dorje.CEC, Leh Dr. Sonam Dawa, MLA Zanskar, Syed Bakir Hussain Rizvi, MLA Kargil, Asgar Ali Karbalai, Financial Commissioner, Planning Development and Monitoring and Ladakh Affairs Department, B B Vyas, Commissioner Secretary PDD, Registrar Cooperative Societies J&K, Director  FCS&CA Jammu, MD SRTC, Senior Regional Manager FCI, State Level Coordinator IOC, MD SFC, SE  PWD, Kargil/Leh and other officers of concerned departments besides officers of BRO and Traffic Police attended.

A brief on the requirement, stock, and supply position with respect to essential commodities of foodgrains, petroleum products, LPG, construction material, timber, firewood and other material was highlighted.

Minister directed the concerned agencies not to show any slackness in the supply, dumping, and carriage of essential supplies and building material to Ladakh region in the coming summer season. To ensure advance lifting, stocking, and dumping of essentials across Ladakh region, he also asked for putting in place an efficient supply chain.

To ensure hassle free supply and local demand for fuel,   Deputy Commissioners Leh and Kargil were directed to identify a suitable location for installation of petrol pumps in the twin districts and to formulate the transportation plan with the involvement of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.

“Since the area remains cut off for about six months during winter, extra efforts are required for making adequate stocking of essentials in the region in advance”, said the Minister.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan, attended the meeting through video conferencing.

A proposal of supplies for 2017-18 in respect to both Leh and Kargil districts were discussed. 

On the status of the present quota of ration lying with the district administrations, the concerned department was directed to ensure an adequate supply of sugar and kerosene to meet the public demand.

The Minister instructed the MD, JK Cements to supply cement to Leh and Kargil as per the demand projected in the proposal. He instructed the authorities to ensure supply of cement directly from source to supplier to rationalize the rates.

The Forest Department was asked to establish more outlets to provide quality timber and firewood to the people as per their needs.

Officials of the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation assured to supply the adequate number of LPG cylinders.

MD, JKSTRC, was directed to provide the adequate number of trucks for smooth supply of material as per the transportation plan and maintain a mobile workshop, which includes a dozer and recovery crane from Gumri to Drass area for the convenience.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, assured for regular monitoring of the movement of trucks and asked the DCs of Leh and Kargil to remain in touch for any other issue pertaining to transportation and any other matter. The authorities were also directed to allow LMVs without any restriction and ensure traffic regulation on the highway to avoid any inconvenience to the people.

Health and Medical Education Department was directed to keep available the Critical Care Ambulances preferably in the Zojila area to meet any eventuality.