Jammu, Jan 16 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir state Congress chief Saif-ud-din Soz Monday wrote to the party’s ministers from Kashmir, asking them to visit the valley “to give a helping hand to the state administration” in dealing with the problems caused by heavy snowfall.

In a statement circulated to media, Soz said that he “urged” Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed and Public Health Engineering Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din to “visit Kashmir Valley immediately to give a helping hand to the state in solving problems of the people of Kashmir caused by the recent snowfall.”

The valley is covered by a thick blanket of snow, which has affected daily life and led to closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway - the only surface link - and disrupted the supply of essential commodities, particularly LPG cylinders and fuel.

“Soz has explained in the letter to both the ministers that while the administration is doing what it can do under the present circumstances, they should ensure, on their part, adequate supply of essential provisions like food, cooking gas, kerosene oil, sugar and medicines etc.,” a release quoting his statement said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is monitoring the situation and Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar and Higher Education Minister A.G. Mailk were now in the valley to assist in the relief operations. Both are ministers from the National Conference, that leads the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir with the Congress as its partner.

The statement said Soz also suggested to the ministers that they should establish contact with the functionaries at various levels and alleviate the sufferings of the people.