Srinagar, Dec 25: Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir Anshul Garg on Thursday said that the annual revision of stamp duty rates was a routine administrative exercise and the revised rates would be notified shortly.
Speaking to reporters at Srinagar, Garg said the exercise was carried out every year, with new stamp duty rates coming into effect from January 1. “It is a routine administrative practice. As per norms, the rates will be notified soon,” he said.
On winter preparedness, the Divisional Commissioner said that the administration had activated all necessary mechanisms to deal with the winter season, which has already set in across higher reaches of the Valley.
Garg said winter preparedness was being monitored at the highest level and the Chief Minister had recently reviewed arrangements for the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. “All departments have activated their winter preparedness plans, as is done every year,” he said.
He said district-level control rooms had been set up by deputy commissioners, while the divisional control room was functioning from the Integrated Command and Control Centre. “These control rooms will remain operational to address public grievances and coordinate responses during winter,” he added.
The Divisional Commissioner said special focus was being laid on snow clearance, uninterrupted power supply, and timely replacement of damaged transformers. “Power disruptions are a major concern during winter, and departments have been directed to ensure quick restoration of services,” he said.
Garg said adequate stocks of essential commodities, including ration and LPG, had been dumped in advance, particularly in remote and snow-bound areas.
He said health facilities had also been augmented to meet any additional demand during extreme cold conditions.
“Heating arrangements have been put in place in hospitals and other critical facilities. Helpline numbers have been made available so that people can seek assistance when required,” he said.
The Divisional Commissioner said snowfall had already occurred in several hilly and remote areas of Kashmir and was expected to reach the Valley floor in the coming days. “We are fully prepared to handle routine winter-related challenges,” he added.(KNS).
