Says Citizens can apply for water, electricity connections online; Sgr to be model smart city soon, advocates underground power cabling; people can complain if there are unscheduled cuts
Srinagar, June 23: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said that electricity won’t be given to people without paying for it and those who won’t pay money for power, won’t get the electricity.
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“Centre doesn’t provide us free electricity. There is a huge power debt left by the previous regimes. We have improved distribution system and will provide better power to people. But power won’t be free anymore,” the LG said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) while speaking at a function at HMT, Srinagar, after inaugurating Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC).
He said power theft is a criminal act and police may have to interfere while dealing with power thieves. “There are some people who are becoming hurdle in installing smart meters in Srinagar but they too will be dealt with. Meters will be installed and those who won’t pay money for power, won’t be provided power supply,” he said.
He said that citizens can apply for water and electricity connections online now. “There will be online payment mode of bills as well,” the LG said. He said that Srinagar is fast turning out to be model smart city. He advocated underground laying of power cables to supplying quality power. He said while making Srinagar a smart city, smart economy has to be a focus as well.
The LG said that people can complain only when there are unscheduled cuts of power otherwise no complaint will be entertained. “There is a huge power debt of Rs 11000 cr left by the previous regimes,” he said.
About the ICCC, the LG said that the new facility will provide a single platform aimed at monitoring and addressing public issues on a real-time basis. “Srinagar Smart City aims to secure and increase livability, sustainability, efficiency for all citizens. The holistic approach in functioning of Srinagar Smart City will help in achieving five long term goals-smart mobility, smart economy, smart environment, smart living and smart governance,” he said. “Ground-breaking technological interventions are bringing efficiency in urban governance and strengthening the response capability of various stakeholders. Srinagar is embracing modern technical tools for sustainable and integrated urban living.”
He said that real time data will ensure effective management of services like water, electricity, mobility, education, healthcare, environment, and security.
Speaking on the occasion, Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor SMC said that the Integrated Command & Control Centre will prove as a pivot for the technological understanding of the governance challenges.
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“With various smart city initiatives, we are inching closer towards realizing the goal of a smarter city,” he added.
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The minimum temperature has plummeted further in Kashmir while Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded the coldest night of the season at minus 2.0 degree Celsius.
Several places across Kashmir including Srinagar, Qazigund, Ganderbal, Pahalgam, Kupwara, Shopian, Bandipora and Baramulla recorded coldest night of season.
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In Qazigund, the mercury settled at minus 2.0 degree Celsius while in Gulmarg, a minimum temperature of minus 2.2 degree Celsius was recorded.
Pahalgam, a famous tourist place, recorded a low of minus 5.1 degree Celsius while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 2.7 degree Celsius.
In order to strengthen and synergise the security grid of District Srinagar, ADGP Law and order Vijay Kumar chaired a joint meeting of Police and CRPF in Police Control Room Srinagar.
A police spokesman in a statement issued to Asian News Hub said, IG CRPF Ajay Kumar Yadav, IGP Kashmir V.K Birdi, DDIB, DIG CKR, DIG CRPF North & DIG CRPF South, SSP Srinagar, SSP PCR Kashmir, all the Nodal COs of CRPF, SP Cargo Srinagar, all Zonal SPs and SDPOs of Srinagar participated in the meeting.
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During the meeting, a detailed security plan of Srinagar district was discussed in threadbare where in CRPF and Police were acquainted with their new roles besides suggestions were also taken from the field officers to have a fair idea of the shortcomings, avoid confusion at the cutting edge in order to make it a perfect and comprehensive CT grid.
Besides, ADGP L&O, IG CRPF and IGP Kashmir also contributed their valid suggestions. ADGP stressed upon all the officers that idea of a perfect security grid is only possible if the things discussed are implemented on ground in letter and spirit.
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ADGP has focused upon strengthening function of joint police control room and better communication mechanism between field officers of CRPF and JKP in city. Area domination of water bodies was discussed and included in area domination plan in today’s meeting.
He has also instructed SSP Srinagar to conduct joint mock drill to handle post terror incident situations in city. ADGP Kashmir reinforced the commitment to dealing strictly with individuals disrupting the peace and emphasized the need for stringent actions under the law.
ADGP Kumar emphasized the necessity to strengthen the CI grid and enhance the basic functioning of police stations through effective supervision. The ADGP’s guidance and directives aim to fortify security measures and maintain a secure and peaceful environment in the district.