Srinagar, March 1, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting in Srinagar today to oversee preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, set to begin tomorrow, March 2, 2025. The meeting focused on ensuring seamless arrangements for the region’s residents, with directives issued to various departments to coordinate efforts and prioritise essential services during the sacred period.
Omar Abdullah emphasised the importance of an uninterrupted power supply, particularly during the pre-dawn meal of Sehri and the evening breaking of the fast, Iftari. He instructed the Power Development Department (PDD) and other concerned agencies to work diligently to prevent outages that could disrupt these key times of day. “The smooth functioning of public services remains our top priority,” Abdullah stated during the meeting, underscoring the government’s commitment to minimizing inconvenience for the public.
In addition to electricity, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure an adequate water supply across Srinagar and surrounding areas, addressing potential challenges posed by the region’s ongoing dry spell and cold weather. Traffic management was another key focus, with instructions given to streamline vehicular movement and avoid congestion, particularly during peak Ramadan hours.
The availability of essential commodities, such as food grains, cooking gas, and other necessities, was also a critical agenda item. Abdullah ordered departments to regulate prices and maintain sufficient stock to meet the heightened demand expected during the month-long observance. “We must ensure that no one faces shortages or exploitation due to price hikes,” he remarked, calling for close monitoring by the relevant authorities.
The meeting, held at the Civil Secretariat, saw participation from senior officials across multiple departments, including Power, Public Health Engineering (PHE), Traffic, and Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA). Abdullah urged these agencies to collaborate closely to implement the directives effectively, ensuring that residents can observe Ramadan with ease and dignity.
This initiative comes amid broader efforts by the administration to address infrastructural and service-related challenges in the region, particularly as Jammu and Kashmir prepares for its first budget session under Abdullah’s leadership, scheduled to commence on March 3, 2025. With Ramadan beginning just days before the session, today’s meeting reflects the government’s proactive approach to balancing immediate public needs with long-term governance goals.
As Srinagar braces for the holy month, residents expressed hope that the administration’s measures would alleviate some of the difficulties faced in previous years, including erratic power and water supply. The Chief Minister’s hands-on oversight signals a concerted effort to deliver on promises of improved public services, setting the tone for both Ramadan and the upcoming legislative agenda.