UT seals borders, restricts inter-district movement

Tribune News Service

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JAMMU, MARCH 23

On the first day of official lockdown in the Union Territory (UT), the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday announced that it would seal all borders of the UT with neighbouring states and restrict inter-district movement to fight the spread of Coronavirus.

The government also ordered release of additional Rs 40 crore to all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to support their efforts and further strengthen and upscale the offensive against Covid.

This was decided in a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam here. He also ordered release of Rs 1 crore to the Jal Shakti (PHE) Department to augment drinking water supply.

Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations would also be given additional Rs 50 lakh each to augment their sanitation efforts. Other municipal committees of the UT would also be provided additional funds accordingly, it was decided. In another significant decision, UT’s borders with Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh UT would be fully sealed.

Also, inter-district movement of vehicles would also be restricted as per requirement. However, all essential vehicles would ply normally and the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway would also be regulated.

Taking a serious note of reports of some travellers skipping screening and self-declaration at arrival points or falsifying any information regarding their travel history, the Chief Secretary ordered strict checking at entry points Qazigund and Lower Munda, besides other entry points, airports and bus stands. Action, he said, should be initiated against those putting others at risk.

The meeting also decided that advance ration for two months, viz April and May, would be issued to all eligible consumers. Besides, one month’s ration for mid-day meals would also be given in advance to all eligible parents.

The Chief Secretary also directed to keep all treasuries in J&K open to facilitate draw of bills in view of the closure of financial year.

Meanwhile, strict restrictions were put in place in Jammu to restrict the movement of the people during the lockdown. All entry and exit points of the city, besides all interior roads, were sealed with barbed wires.