With Lok Sabha elections staring at, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday ordered the Deputy Commissioners of all the districts to tighten their belts and work harder to strengthen their public interface to deliver on the promises on which his government had come to power 22 months ago.
Making it clear that corruption will not be tolerated at any level, the Chief Minister said that the State Government was ready to extend any help needed by the DCs to ensure timely completion of projects for the development of the state and welfare of its people.
Chief Minister, days after soliciting feedback from the Congress MLAs on the functioning of his Government, sent out a strong message to the state’s administration to pull up their socks, and ensure that the pace of hard work and commitment is upped over the next two months to ensure the fulfilment of the Government’s development agenda for the state.
At the same time, the Chief Minister made it clear that respect for elected representatives needed to be ensured at all costs. He directed the DCs to extend due courtesy and regard to all elected persons, be it MLAs or sarpanches. “They represent the people in a democracy and we must be cordial with them in our dealings,” said Capt Amarinder.
Directions were also issued to the Secretaries to be in regular touch with the DCs to ensure that there are no gaps in the implementation of various schemes and benefits reach the people at the grassroots.
He also directed the DCs to identify bad eggs in various offices, be it at tehsils, BDO offices, Police Stations or the municipality level, and ensure that corruption is eliminated completely down to the grassroots.
Asking the DCs to ensure punctuality and discipline among their staff, the Chief Minister made it clear that delay in implementation of programmes and development works would not be tolerated. Expressing concern over people reporting that pace of work in the field is very slow, he directed the DCs to monitor working of their office and other subordinate offices in the district effectively.
Capt Amarinder also announced allotment of one lakh plots of five marlas each to the homeless SC families, with at least 10 plots in each village across the state in the first phase where land is available with village Panchayats.
“In case, where land is not available and is to yet to be arranged, such SC beneficiaries would be considered in the second phase,” he said, announcing a series of measures to ensure development at both, the rural and urban levels. The Rural Development and Panchayats Department has been asked to monitor the allotment process.
On the issue of debt waiver, the Chief Minister asked the DCs to involve local representatives and ensure that no eligible person is left out on any account.
Underlining the need to sustain the momentum of anti-drug campaign, he asked the DCs to review NDPS Act cases where bail has been granted due to non-filing of charge-sheets. “DCs must visit OOAT clinics regularly and interact with all stakeholders to ensure success of treatment,” he said, further asking the officers to check misuse of Buprenorphine tablets by unscrupulous elements.
DCs were also directed to revitalize DAPO and Buddy programmes through involvement of all elected Panchayati Raj representatives to proactively curb drugs in their villages.
Referring to the Smart Village Campaign for rural areas and Urban Environment Improvement Programme for urban areas launched by his government, the Chief Minister asked the DCs to ensure that all their proposals reach the Rural Development secretary and Local Government secretary latest by January 31.
“Works must be commenced through the respective agencies, preferably by February 15,” he said, asserting that this was top priority for his government and he did not want any delay in implementation.
Expressing concern over the pollution caused by Budha Nala, the Chief Minister asked the Ludhiana DC to coordinate with the Naamdhari Darbar ,who have already taken up the noble task of its cleaning in a time-bound manner.
The Chief Minister directed expeditious acquisition for Kartarpur Corridor in Gurdaspur to ensure timely completion of the project.
The Chief Minister asked the DCs to complete, in time and with due diligence, various flood control and canal desilting works, asking them to converge works with NREGA to do more with State funds.
Capt Amarinder asked the DCs to make all necessary arrangements for Rabi procurement in time as wheat procurement will clash with Lok Sabha elections this time. Transportation and labour contracts must be finalized well in time, he said, making it clear that hassle-free procurement had to be ensured at any cost.
DCs have also been asked to supervise repair of link roads to ensure that quality of road repair being undertaken by Mandi Board or PWD is good and not compromised at any cost.
Expressing concern over the stray dog menace, the Chief Minister asked the DCs to start sterilisation programme as the dogs were now attacking human beings in herds, causing grievous hurt or sometimes even loss of life.
During the meeting, all the Deputy Commissioners gave their inputs and suggestions on farm debt waiver, drug abuse prevention programme, state-run employment programmes under the Ghar Ghar Rozgar and Karobar Mission, stray cattle menace and state run Gaushalas.
