Punjab Government on Thursday directed to make the Tandrust Punjab Mission all encompassing from ‘kisan to naujawan’ (farmers to youth) while making the ongoing anti-drugs campaign and de-addiction monitoring an integral part of the ambitious Mission.
The Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Suresh Kumar, reviewing the progress of Tandarust Punjab Mission and deliberating with the Secretaries of the concerned departments on the further course of action for the Mission, said that along with the ongoing measures to guide the farmers, it is necessary that anti-drugs campaign and de-addiction monitoring be an integral part of the Tandarust Punjab Mission.
“Although the infrastructure is in place for the same, still inter departmental coordination and checks are a must and Tandarust Punjab Mission should pay special attention to it,” he said.
Kumar said that to increase state’s green cover, it is mandatory that green component be made a part of every upcoming construction in the state, be it roads, highways or buildings.
He suggested framing guidelines for the same and ensuring dedicated ‘green budget’ in every construction.
In the view of the ongoing plantation period, he suggested that focus of plantation should be in the dry or relatively less greener areas like Muktsar, Budhlada and Bhiki (Mansa). Developing parks under MGNREGA in the rural areas is also to be targeted under the Mission, he said.
Stressing upon the need to decongest markets, Kumar suggested to start ‘Changa Bazar, Changa Veopar’ campaign wherein the shopkeepers be motivated to stop encroaching pavements and roads for free movement of customers and convince them that de-congested and clean markets self attract buyers.
To check reckless extraction and digging of underground water, Kumar suggested strict monitoring and also made it clear that “quality testing of water be made mandatory for anybody and everybody, even the government supply of water should be checked regularly to ensure potable water supply to all”.
He said that the Mission would be strengthened by providing a dedicated technical support team of experts who would assist in the awareness drives with technical inputs. Notification for inducting the team is in the pipeline, he said.
“To begin with, the Forest Department would contribute Rs one crore under IEC in Tandarust Punjab Mission. The proposal for setting up the Mission Directorate would soon be presented before the Cabinet for approval,” he added.