By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 28 Feb: Questions have been raised from time to time about negligence and corruption within the bureaucracy in Uttarakhand and there are also claims regarding the perceptions that it is ruling the state. From time to time, Chief Ministers have issued directions to rein in the bureaucracy but not much has changed in this regard.
Today, again, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has issued strict guidelines to officers who are negligent in their duties. He issued such directions at a high-level meeting held at his official residence here.
During the meeting, Dhami instructed top level officials to identify negligent officers and employees and prepare a list of those avoiding due action against crime and drugs, with the aim of enforcing compulsory retirement. He also directed that strict action be also taken against those encroaching on government land and even that of individuals. It may be recalled that majority of the complaints received in Janata Darshan/public hearings held by the District Magistrates in the state or even by the ministers and the chief minister, are related to encroachment on private land. In the majority of these complaints, the revenue officers and the district administration as well as police officers have been seen to adopt a rather casual approach. Now that CM Dhami has once again directed strict action against the land grabbers, it remains to be seen if these instructions bring any positive change among the officials, and they start taking such complaints seriously.
At the meeting today, Dhami directed the top officers to identify personnel who do not discharge their responsibilities well. He also ordered that action also be taken as per rules for the compulsory retirement of such personnel and that a special campaign be launched for the arrest of wanted criminals involved in various crimes.
The CM further emphasised the need for an intensive campaign to prevent adulteration in food items during the festival season and advocated strict action against electricity theft. He asserted that continuous campaigns should be run by all the departments concerned for a drug-free Uttarakhand. Regular intensive checking be carried out by the police in the border areas of the state, he directed. He further stated that strict action ought to be taken against those involved in the drug trade by making a list of criminals under the NDPS Act and keeping an eye on their activities.
Dhami directed the DGP, Deepam Seth, to make special efforts towards effective traffic management in the state, ensuring that people do not face unnecessary trouble due to traffic jams. He also instructed the police to increase night patrolling.
The CM further instructed officials to make more efforts to connect the youth of the state with self-employment opportunities, along with employment. He said that sincere efforts should be made towards training and skill development of local people in trades like electricity repairs, carpentry, hair cutting and beauty parlours and plumbing.
Home Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, DGP Deepam Seth, Secretary and Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, ADG, Police, AP Anshuman, and Vice Chairman Banshidhar Tiwari were among those present at the meeting.
