SRINAGAR, JANUARY 3 – Satish Sharma, the Minister for Transport, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs , Science & Technology, and Information Technology, convened separate meetings with senior officers to review the winter preparedness of the FCS&CA and Transport departments. He also met with various delegations at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar to address their concerns.
During his review of the Transport Department, Minister Sharma inquired about the maintenance of buses, revenue generation, and transport services to remote areas. He emphasised the importance of enhancing efficiency and transparency within the department while ensuring that public transport services, especially for people in far-flung areas and for patients, are reliable and accessible. The Minister urged the incorporation of innovative ideas to further streamline and improve the department’s functioning.
When reviewing the operations of FCS&CA, the Minister assessed the stock and supply of essential goods across the Kashmir division and examined additional arrangements made for the winter season. Expressing satisfaction with the department’s functioning, he highlighted that FCS&CA is crucial for the well-being of the public, particularly in winter, and stressed the need for ensuring consumers face no difficulties in accessing essential goods.
The Minister also met with various delegations, including those led by MLA Uri Sajjad Shafi, MLA Chanapora Mushtaq Guroo, MLA Lolab Jamshaid Lone, and MLA Zainapora Showkat Hussain Ganie, who raised issues pertaining to their respective areas. A delegation from the Jammu & Kashmir Hotels and Restaurants Association (JKHARA) also met with the Minister to discuss concerns related to the tourism sector and its development.
Assuring the delegations that their issues would be promptly addressed, Minister Sharma committed to taking their concerns up with the relevant authorities.
Later, the Minister visited SMHS Hospital in Shireen Bagh to check on the condition of Innayat Sheikh, a shopkeeper who was injured in a hit-and-run accident near Bakshi Stadium. Minister Sharma inquired about his well-being and offered support from the Government, while also instructing the hospital staff to ensure proper medical care. MLA Chanapora accompanied the Minister during this visit.