Srinagar: Authorities on Friday asked Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pahalgam Development Authority to explain his position following an official function at famous health resort where huge number of people had turned up despite ban on large gathering amid coronavirus scare.
On Thursday, Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) in collaboration with Lidder Forest Division Range Pahalgam organised a Plantation Drive Cum Awareness Programme on Plantation in Pahalgam.
“In this connection a grand function was organised in Pahalgam Club in which experts and students from different schools spoke about the importance of plantation for a pollution free environment and for maintaining the ecological balance, besides a brief Skit regarding environment consciousness was presented by the students,” reads an official handout.
“SDM Pahalgam, Syed Faheem, ADDC Anantnag, Khawaja Nazir Ahmad, CEO Pahalgam Dr. Nasir Ahmad Lone, ADC Anantnag, Gh Hassan Sheikh, CEO PDA Dr. Nasir Ahmad Lone, ACR Anantnag Syed Yasir Kubravi, CEO Anantnag, SDPO Pahalgam,Range Officer, Haji Mohd Altaf and other officers were present on the occasion”.
The function at Phalgam followed by the government’s decision on March 11 urging people to avoid unnecessary travel, use of public transport.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Khan told GNS CEO PDA has been asked to explain his position for violating instructions.
On Wednesday, Chief Secretary had emphasized that people should be advised to defer or cancel their family functions and congregations. If not avoidable, they must reduce the size of gathering to bare minimal. It was advised that avoidable travel or movement should also be discouraged to minimize risk of transmission of infection. CS appealed to the general public to maintain social distance and avoid close contact.
“Divisional and all Deputy Commissioners were asked to minimize, reduce or cancel all avoidable gatherings wherever possible in their respective jurisdictions, as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of infection”.
Chief Secretary had asked all Administrative Secretaries and other senior officers to conduct meetings/interactions over Video Conference so as to avoid large meetings wherever possible. Further, he had also asked them to have such meetings, workshops and seminars also deferred in their subordinate departments/offices, as a precautionary step.
CS had said that as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI each Department has its own role to play so that there are coordinated efforts to meet out the evolving Coronavirus situation in the Union Territory. (GNS)
