Dhami directs CS to fix responsibility of officers for controlling forest fires
Sunday, 05 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Taking stern note of the forest fires raging in different parts of the State that have resulted in loss of life and property, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the State administration to fix responsibility of officers from top to bottom in the administrative hierarchy. The CM took a meeting with officers of the State administration by video conferencing during his New Delhi visit on Saturday. The CM reviewed the preparations of different departments to check forest fires, Char Dham Yatra, drinking water and electricity supplies in the meeting. He said that the forest fires have emerged as a major challenge for the State and directed the chief secretary Radha Raturi to fix the responsibilities of officers. He said that officers deployed at headquarters should be given responsibilities of different forest divisions and they should submit regular reports. He said that the district magistrates should also support the officers of the forest department in controlling forest fires.
On a stern note the CM said that necessary measures for ensuring safety of fire watchers deployed in the field and options such as insurance should be exercised.
He curtly told that fires will not be controlled while sitting in the office and directed that the Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) and officers senior to them should visit the spots of fires. The CM also asked the DMs to take all the necessary measures as per the situation to control forest fires.
The CS assured the CM that positive results will be visible within a week on forest fires.
She said that the State government has entered into an agreement with the NTPC for Pirul (pine needle) and it has started taking Pirul. The measure will help in controlling forest fires in future, she claimed.
The newly appointed Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Dhananjai Mohan informed the CM that a total of 350 cases of forest fires have been reported in the State and 60 cases have so far been registered against those responsible for the fires. He claimed that teams are being sent to the areas from where fire incidents are being reported and fires are being controlled within one to six hours.
While reviewing the situation of drinking water in the State, the CM said water conservation is a challenge for the State. He directed that arrangements for rain water harvesting and solar energy should be made in all the government buildings.
The secretary, drinking water, A S Hyanki said that the department has earmarked 317 villages and 148 localities in cities where there is a problem of drinking water supply. Efforts are being made to supply drinking water in these areas by use of alternative methods.
He said that a ban has been imposed on giving commercial construction connections from April 1 to June 30 and all the DMs have been directed to ensure that all the vehicles in workshops are dry washed.
The power secretary, R Meenakshi Sundaram told the CM that 24×7 power supply will be ensured in the Char Dhams and two officers have been deployed for Char Dhams. He said that construction of 23 KV sub stations are in progress in Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines.
