Himachal CM warns officials against laxity in drafting project

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today directed officials to prepare detailed projects reports (DPR) of various schemes expeditiously, and cautioned that any laxity in this regard would attract action.
Holding discussions with MLAs from Kangra, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Kullu districts for fixing priorities of Annual Plan 2014-15, Singh said the matter regarding "outsourcing" of the task of DPR preparations should be taken up well in time and "forest clearances would be taken up on priority", adding that no negligence in this regard would be brooked.
The Chief Minister said providing best road connectivity to the people was top priority of his government, and directed the PWD authorities to ensure regular maintenance of roads to avoid inconvenience to commuters.

He asserted that local MLAs should be consulted before construction and planning of roads in their areas.
He said his government was encouraging labour-intensive and environment-friendly industries in the state to ensure that ample employment opportunities were provided to the local people in areas where industries are being set up.
Reiterating his government's resolve to ensure speedy and balanced development of all areas, the Chief Minister said priority was being given to remote and far-flung areas to bring these at par with other areas of the state.

He said in order to provide efficient and transparent services, rangers, deputy Rangers and forest guards in the Forest Department and constable in Police Department should not be deployed in their home beats.

Stressing that his government was committed to provide fair, transparent and responsive administration to the people by adopting zero tolerance towards corruption, he said the government had performed well during the past one year and the state had been adjudged as the Best State in investment and health sectors in the country.
Referring to the monkey menace, Singh said it had become a serious problem in the state and a multi-pronged strategy needed to be worked out to tackle the problem on priority.
He said natural habitat of monkeys must be maintained and fruit species should be planted in forests to provide enough food to monkeys in their natural habitat. Underlining the need for better coordination among various departments, he said interstate matters pertaining to roads, demarcation of boundaries, water disputes etc. Must be solved on priority.

He said Damtal-Kandrauri-Indora road would be repaired and maintained keeping in view heavy vehicular traffic in the area and a 100-bedded hospital would be opened in the Jaisinghpur assembly seat, a Government Degree College at Khundiyan in Jwalamukhi segment.