Uttarakhand News: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has adopted a tough stance to completely streamline the administrative system of Uttarakhand and to provide every facility to the people at the grassroots level. Classes of District Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police from across the state took place in an almost 4-hour long marathon meeting that lasted till late night at the Chief Minister's residence. In this high-level meeting, many important issues like slow pace of development works, bad roads, security arrangements for upcoming festivals, preparations for Haridwar Kumbh and disaster management were reviewed point by point. The Chief Minister said in clear words that now merely showing work on files and papers will not suffice. Officers will have to come out of their offices and go straight to the ground. The habit of hesitation, unnecessary delay or shirking responsibility in any matter of public interest will no longer be tolerated.
Strictest stance on improving the condition of roads
The Chief Minister showed strict attitude on the dilapidated condition of roads in the state. He ordered all the District Magistrates to conduct on-site inspection of the roads in their respective areas and get the pending repair work started immediately. The pothole-free road campaign will have to be completed within the stipulated time and there should be no compromise on quality. The Chief Minister said in a strict tone that very soon he himself will tour the entire state by road. During this tour, if any road is found broken or shoddy repair work is found, then strict action will be taken directly against the concerned officer. Apart from this, the last date for repairing the roads dug for laying sewer and drinking water pipelines has been fixed till November 1, so that the general public, traders and travelers do not have to face problems during the upcoming festivals.
Every victim's report should be written immediately in the police stations.
Reviewing the law and order situation, the Chief Minister asked the police department to become more sensitive and accountable. He directed that every victim who comes to police stations or posts with his complaint should be listened to with full respect and attention. In cases of cognizable crimes, First Information Report i.e. FIR should be filed immediately without any delay. No citizen should have to visit offices to file a report or get justice. Along with this, instructions were given to speed up the ongoing Operation Kalanemi and verification campaign of outsiders to crack down on anti-social elements. In view of the festivals and upcoming winter tourism, major cities like Mussoorie, Nainital, Haridwar and Rishikesh have already been asked to prepare strong traffic plans.
Kumbh preparations will be reviewed every week
Regarding Haridwar Kumbh, the Chief Minister instructed the officials to complete the work in a time bound manner. The progress of construction work of all basic facilities like ghats, roads, bridges, drinking water, hospitals and parking will be reviewed every week. The Chief Minister instructed senior officials to go to the spot and check the quality of the work and get the deficiencies rectified immediately. Also, information about the work that has been completed should be brought to the public through media and digital mediums along with photos and videos so that complete transparency is maintained at every level.
Common citizens should not have to wander at tehsil level
Regarding revenue related matters, the Chief Minister made it clear that Patwari and Tehsildar should settle the matters on time at their level. Common people should not have to make repeated visits to government offices for small certificates or land disputes. Proper utilization of the district plan budget should be ensured so that the benefits of development reach the eligible people directly. Urban bodies have been asked to pay special attention to cleanliness, so that heaps of garbage are not seen anywhere in cities and towns.
Keeping an eye on health care and wildlife conflict in the mountains
To improve health services in hilly and remote areas, the Chief Minister asked to ensure regular deployment of doctors and ANMs. The mobile health van will be operated as per the fixed roster so that no patient is deprived of treatment due to geographical disparities. Expressing concern over the increasing attacks by wildlife like bears and leopards in populated areas, the Forest Department was instructed to make a concrete action plan and provide immediate compensation to the affected families.
Secretary in charge will visit the districts every 15 days
Now the secretary in-charge of the government will visit his allotted districts every 15 days to check the ground reality of the government's schemes. These officers will go up to the block level and take stock of the schemes, public facilities and law and order. In the end, the Chief Minister reiterated that the officers doing better work will be encouraged, but those who are lax in their work will be held personally accountable and strict departmental action will be taken against them.
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