Preparations for Diwali festival discussed at Doda

DODA, NOVEMBER 3:   District Magistrate Doda, Harvinder Singh on Friday presided over a meeting to assess the arrangements for the   festival of lights- Diwali. The meeting took place in the conference hall of the DC office complex.

During the meeting, the DM instructed the Magistrates, Police Officers and the Executive Officers of all the MCs to identify the locations/ shops for sale of firecrackers and issue necessary permissions to the identified vendors with clear instructions for abiding by the safety measures.

Security arrangements were reviewed and stakeholders were instructed to put in extra efforts to maintain peace and harmony and manage traffic in the towns for smooth celebration of the festival.

The DC asked the enforcement officers to closely monitor the sale of fireworks to ensure the same at designated locations and sales points, with all safety parameters t. The Fire and Emergency Services department was directed to keep fire tenders on standby to respond to any emergencies, as well as issue guidelines and advisories regarding firecracker safety.

 The DM also exhorted the enforcement departments to conduct extensive market checking to check the quality of eatables and observance of food safety measures by the traders. Directions were issued to oversee the quality and pricing of food items, sanitation, and prevent encroachments by vendors in marketplaces and other busy areas. DIO Doda was tasked with circulating advisories for the safe celebration of the festival. PDD and PHE were asked to supply uninterrupted power and water supply to the residents. The CMO Doda was instructed to keep the hospitals, medical teams, and ambulances ready for immediate response in case of any eventuality.

Earlier, SSP Abdul Qayoom asked the Police and Civil Officers to formulate a comprehensive plan to ensure sale of firecrackers   at the permitted places/ Shops, with compulsory availability of safety tools, like fire extinguishers, water etc.

A similar meeting was held at Bhaderwah to finalise Diwali arrangements, which was chaired by ADC Chowdhary Dil Mir. Arrangements related to security, uninterrupted power and water supply, availability of essential commodities viz. Vegetables/fruits / milk items on approved rates/sanitation of the town were discussed in detail.