Govt cancels leaves of all PHE, I&FC officials to deal with water scarcity

As Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu reel under intense cold wave, the state government has cancelled leaves of all officials of departments of public health engineering (PHE) and irrigation and flood control (I&FC) to deal with the water scarcity triggered by the chill.
The government has issued a curricular asking the heads in these departments not to sanction any leave without prior approval of the administrative department.
The circular dated 29-12-2018 reads: “Due to extreme cold climate prevalent in the state, which has resulted in scarcity of drinking water .
“All such officers who have proceeded on leave are hereby directed to immediately resume their duties otherwise strict necessary action shall be taken against them in terms of service conduct rules.
“It is further impressed upon the HoDs that they shall not sanction any kind of leave whatsoever, in favour of the officers of the department without prior approval of the administrative department till water scarcity is over,” the circular issued by secretary to the government PHE, I&FC department reads.
In Kashmir division, the intensity of the cold wave has beaten three decade record.
The summer capital, Srinagar on Thursday witnessed the coldest night with mercury dipping to minus 7.6 degree.
The coldest December night on Thursday was witnessed in Srinagar after 28 years.
The cold wave has led to serious water scarcity across Kashmir as most of the supply lines have frozen.
National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, party vice president Omar Abdullah, senior leader of Peoples Democratic Party and former Education minister Altaf Bukhari, and Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) have extended warm greetings and best wishes to the students who

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