The District Magistrate Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, who is also the Chairman District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), on Saturday issued instructions for further regulation of operations of NGOs involved in relief efforts in Srinagar.
Further regulation of operations of NGOs comes in the wake of declaration of various areas – 14 as of now – as containment zones after several positive cases of COVID-19 were reported therefrom.
The circular containing this additional set of instructions states that areas declared as containment zones will have strictly restricted entry. It states that only designated essential and emergency services officials will be allowed to enter these areas in strict compliance with all stated guidelines and precautions.
It states that operations of NGOs and distribution of relief items in these as well as other areas will be in strict coordination with the NGO Cell of the DDMA. It states that two KAS officers along with the supporting staff have been deputed for the purpose to ensure strict adherence to all guidelines issued from time to time.
The circular states that Additional District Magistrate (SQ) will keep details of all families or persons earmarked to NGOs for provision of relief items and ensure equitable distribution in all areas and avoidance of duplication thereof.
It directs that neither government agencies nor NGOs must circulate photographs or videos of distribution of food or other relief items on social media.
It is notable that the Srinagar administration has taken around 30 NGOs onboard its COVID-19 related efforts for reaching out to and supporting residents of the district.
