Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that every possible arrangement should be made to save people from cold. Shelters should be made available, blankets be arranged and bonfires should be lit. Schools’ time-tables should be fixed as per local situation.
Through video-conferencing, Chouhan asked all Divisional Commissioners to take personal interest in this and activate district administration. Referring to his tour of the city last night, Chouhan said that blankets made available in Ren Baseras (night shelters) were thin. He said that 2 blankets should be made available to every person, if required. Alternative arrangements should be made in the areas devoid of Ren Baseras. Chouhan said that no person should die of cold in the state.
The Chief Minister directed to make contact with farmers and solve their problems to enable them to make good use of recent rains in 34 districts of the state. He said that fertilisers are available in adequate quantity. However, distribution system needs to be proper. Fertilisers should not be blackmarketed anywhere. In case of irregularities in distribution system, criminal case should be filed and the guilty sent to jail.
The Chief Minister directed to advise farmers to undertake works to prevent frost like burning fire on bunds of fields, destroy weed and spraying water in fields. Referring to similar frost in the cold wave in the state 2 years ago, he said that cold might intensify further. All necessary arrangements should be made to ensure that crops are not damaged. Referring to complaints regarding procurement of paddy from farmers at lower rates in Hoshangabad, Sehore, Gwalior, Raisen etc, the Chief Minister said that basmati paddy should not be allowed to be sold at lower prices anywhere in the State.