Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on October 10 lifted the security advisory that asked tourists to leave the Valley in the run-up to abolition of the special status granted to the state under Article 370.
While withdrawing the advisory, the Government hs also assured the tourists desirous of visiting the Valley of “providing all necessary assistance and logistical support”,
The J&K Home Department circular dated 9th October 2019 to this effect said, “The Security Advisory requesting tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir to curtail their stay in the Kashmir Valley, issued vide Government order No. 881-Hom of 2019 dated. 02.08.2019, is hereby withdrawn. The tourists desirous of undertaking visit to the State shall be provided all necessary assistance and logistical support”.
The decision to lift the advisory came at a Situation cum Security Review Meeting chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on 7th October 2019. Besides the Advisors and the Chief Secretary, the meeting was also attended by the Principal Secretaries of Planning and Housing & Urban Development Department.
For the past six weeks, all the security restrictions were removed in most parts of J&K and the Governor has been focussing on bringing life back to normal.
Some of the major decisions taken in the past in the Situation cum Security Review Meetings include reopening of Higher Secondary Schools; Colleges and Universities; restarting public transport; opening additional travel counters at TRC Srinagar; opening 25 internet kiosks in each district to facilitate the public and Government departments; monitoring attendance in Government offices, etc.
The Governor has been holding Situation cum Security Review Meetings on a daily basis for 2 hours generally from 6 to 8 pm each day since 5th August, 2019. Initially, the meetings focussed on reviewing the security scenario following the imposition of restrictions after constitutional changes that were made.
In October 7 meeting the Governor was briefed about the BDC elections. He was informed that there is active interest in the BDC elections and most of the seats of Chairpersons of BDCs would be filled. All AROs and AEROs have been provided mobile phone facility to ensure smooth conduct of elections. Nomination papers were accepted even on 7th October 2019.
The Governor was informed that as BDC elections were party based, the delegations of parties whose leaders are in jail are being allowed to meet party presidents once, so that they can take a decision on elections and authorise someone to approve candidates.
The Governor was also briefed about the progress in apple procurement which has crossed 850 tonnes and worth Rs. 3.25 crores. Some changes in the rates of apple are being made which will be announced shortly.
