Chief Secretary reviews preparations for R-Day celebrations

Jammu, Jan 14: The Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Friday chaired a meeting to take stock of preparations to be put in place for the celebration of Republic Day-2022.
Director General of Police, Administrative Secretaries of Departments of Health & Medical Education, Home, PWD(R&B), General Administration, Youth Services & Sports, Forest, Ecology & Environment, Rural Development, Jal Shakti, besides Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, Additional Director General of Police, along with HODs of concerned departments participated in the meeting.
Detailed deliberations were held regarding the venues, security arrangements, parade/band contingents of Army, CRPF, Police, School children, cultural items, seating arrangements, transport/parking arrangements, sanitation, drinking water, electricity, medical aid, and emergency facilities.
It was informed that the main Republic Day functions will be organized at MA Stadium Jammu and Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Srinagar. Further, Beating the Retreat ceremony will be organized on 29th January, 2022.
The Chief Secretary directed the concerned to ensure arrangements regarding various facilities including transport, parking, seating, availability of drinking water, uninterrupted electricity supply, deployment of health, fire and emergency staff and equipment, cultural programmes and illumination of important government buildings.
Dr. Mehta underscored the importance of observing of the COVID SOPs and CAB by the participating contingents and audience. The concerned departments were directed to ensure maintenance of social distance by the gathering with only 50% seating at the venues.
The Health Department was asked to put in a mechanism for testing the participants prior to their participation in the event along with thermal screening of audience on the day of the function at both the venues.
The Home Department, School Education Department and the Youth Services and Sports Department were asked to observe CAB and laid down protocols during the rehearsals. It was informed that in view of the prevailing COVID situation, participation of only vaccinated people is being ensured, with a special focus on school children in the age group of 15-17 years who are being vaccinated on priority.
The Chief Secretary impressed upon the Culture Department to lay special emphasis on befitting celebrations of the 73rd Republic Day under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav which is being observed across the country to celebrate 75 years of Independence.