In a meeting of Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Head of the departments and MD’s of Boards and Corporation, here today, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that the atrocities on women and girls will have zero-tolerance and the police authorities shall have to ensure registration of First Information Reports (FIR’s), and speedy investigation of trial of the accused committing crime against women.
He clarified, that there would be a State Level Committee under Chief Secretary at the State level, which would meet quarterly and District Level Committee under the concerned Deputy Commissioners, which would meet once in a month to review all cases of atrocities on women and action taken by various authorities in this regard.
He said that there would be at-least one lady constable at every police station and police chowkis to take care of the aggrieved women at the time of reaching the police station to lodge complaints.
Apart from this, there would be zero-tolerance towards corruption at all levels. Any act of corruption or connivance would be dealt with strictly, directed the Chief Minister. Besides, the interest and welfare of the citizens were supreme and officers would have to ensure delivery of goods and services to the people efficiently, effectively and without any leakages.
All the payments to the suppliers were to be made through RTGS and no drafts and cheques were to be issued. Similarly all the individual benefits being released by the Social Justice Department, except pension should also be released through RTGS in the bank account of the beneficiary. This has to be strictly abided directed the Chief Minister.
Virbhadra Singh said that recently in a meeting of National Development Council (NDC) held at New Delhi, I have requested the GoI to delegate the powers of Forests Clearance in Major Hydel Projects at the State Level” he added that the Secretary forests would review the pending forests clearance cases every month and would co-ordinate with concerned departments to get removed the objections and provide documents at one go so that the delay in obtaining forest clearance may be reduced.
He said that the Government wants the officers to work freely, fairly and as per the rule of law. They are the servants of the people and should contribute their every bit to fulfil their duties rather with unquestionable loyalty and dedication. He said that the government officers constitute backbone of the Government through which the elected representatives implement the policies and programmes of the government.
“I have noticed that there was delay in completion of some of the projects of Government of India (GoI) and I request the Chief Secretary to hold regular meetings with the departments to monitor and complete the projects in time bound manner” said the Chief Minister. There would be a project monitoring unit in the Chief Minister’s office to review centrally sponsored projects. Besides the targets of physical and financial levels allotted to each department in every quarter of financial year should be achieved without fail and timely submission of utilisation certificates which were to be sent to Government of India should strictly be ensured, he said. He stressed for following up releases of GoI. Citing instances, he said that Rs 250 crore of Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Project (AIBP) was due and nearly Rs. 200 crore of reimbursement of UGC pay scale was also due from Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
He directed that pending major road projects which were already delayed to be completed, and yet to start, the Public Works department should ensure to take legal action against the defaulting contractors and also ensure repair of damaged roads on war footing to avoid inconvenience to the people. He said that the Public Works Department should ensure that diversion of funds don’t take place at any level. He said the officers would be made accountable if the fund meant for development in one constituency was bifurcated to some other constituency. This also invites “Breach of Privilege of the House” said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister made it clear that the departments should ensure timely filing of replies in the court cases so that there was no delay on part of the Government. He urged all the Secretaries to appoint a nodal officer in their departments to monitor court cases. He said that Appeals and replies in Supreme Court and High Court involving financial implications should only be done after consultation with the finance department.
Virbhadra Singh said that the Government had adopted its Election Manifesto as Policy Document and all the departments should ensure its proper implementation.
He urged the officers to give top priority for redressal of public grievances. He urged the officers to empathize with the citizens while listening to their problems and place themselves in their shoes for clearly understanding their pain. He stressed for ensuring and sensitizing of officers including those working at grass root level to settle public grievances in time bound manner.
He said that use of Information Technology in redressing the problem would be the priority of the Government. He said that IT departments should work for making Lok Mitras Kendras more effective and efficient in delivery of Public Services at the very door step of the common man. He directed to add more and more services to the benefit of the public and to make these kendras profitable so that these centres may become self sustaining and provide employment opportunities to the rural youth.
He justified that the references from the Chief Ministers to the concerned authorities to be given top priority and action to be taken on those directions within 10 days.
He said that efforts would be made to extend the Industrial Package and the issue would be strongly taken up with Union Government.
He urged that the Industries Department should come out with a proposal to curb mining mafia in the State and to reduce the exorbitant rates being charged by the crusher owners. He said that 45 % of export comes from Micro, Small and Medium enterprises and as many as five crore people get employment from these industries in the country. He urged the officers of the Industry department to encourage the youth to set up micro and small industrial units which paves the way for reducing un-employment.
He said that officers were the backbone of any democratic Government through which the elected representative implement the policy for the welfare of the people.
Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy, welcomed the Chief Minister and assured to contribute dedicatedly for meeting out the directions issued. He said that by the inspiration and guidance of the Chief Minister the government would fully implement the Promises made in its Election Manifesto and achieve the goals and targets set well in time.
Earlier, two minutes silence was observed to pay homage to the Delhi gang-rape victim.
