Uttarakhand News: In a high-level meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence, Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, while reviewing the forest fire control, drinking water system, health services and monsoon preparations in detail, directed the officials to ensure timely and effective action. The Chief Minister said that strict action should be taken against those who cause damage to forest resources and the response time should be kept minimum to control forest fire incidents. He directed that the concerned officers should reach the spot within an hour of receiving information about the forest fire.
Instructions to adopt Shitalkhet model for forest fire control
The Chief Minister stressed on implementing the Shitalkhet model across the state for effective control of forest fires. He instructed to make small ponds around the fire line, prepare a concrete action plan for forest fire prevention and provide adequate equipment to the fire extinguishing personnel. The Chief Minister said that a large-scale public awareness campaign should be conducted to prevent incidents of forest fire.
The Chief Minister directed to make one thousand new appointments to ensure adequate availability of forest guards. Also, village committees and forest panchayats were asked to provide necessary budget as per rules for forest fire prevention. In view of the incidents of human-wildlife conflict, the Chief Minister also directed to ensure adequate availability of veterinarians in every division of the Forest Department. He stressed on providing immediate information about forest fire in the concerned areas through mobile alert system.
Emphasis on maintaining smooth drinking water and electricity system
In view of the summer season, the Chief Minister gave instructions to ensure adequate availability of drinking water in the state. He said that there should be full availability of drinking water tankers and damaged drinking water lines should be repaired soon. The Chief Minister instructed the officials that the common people should not face any problem in drinking water. He gave instructions to provide adequate drinking water in the plain areas as well as at pilgrimage and tourist places. The Chief Minister said that electricity supply in the state should remain uninterrupted and more effective efforts should be made to increase energy production.
Review of monsoon preparations, Secretary in-charge will conduct on-site inspection
Keeping in mind the monsoon season, the Chief Minister directed to ensure all necessary arrangements on time. He said that the secretaries in-charge of the districts should conduct on-site inspection of their respective districts and take stock of the arrangements and special vigilance should be taken in sensitive areas.
Special attention on fire safety audit and cleanliness in hospitals
During the review of the Health Department, the Chief Minister directed to conduct mandatory fire safety audit of all hospitals. He laid special emphasis on maintaining better cleanliness system in hospitals. While giving instructions to promote institutional deliveries, the Chief Minister said that complete data of all pregnant women should be kept safe and proper arrangements should be ensured to take them to hospitals during the monsoon period.
Safety of devotees is top priority during Chardham Yatra
The Chief Minister said that those devotees going on Chardham Yatra who are not found fit from health point of view in the screening test, should be motivated not to undertake the journey. He said that providing safe and secure journey to the devotees is the top priority of the state government.
In the meeting, Principal Secretary Shri R.K. Sudhanshu, Dr. R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Chief Forest Conservator Mr. Ranjan Mishra, Secretary Mr. Sachin Kurve, Mr. C. Ravi Shankar, Mr. Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Special Secretary Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Additional Secretary Mr. Banshidhar Tiwari and related officers were present.
