Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju on Friday directed the Administration to improve law and order situation in Chandigarh.
Reviewing the functioning of UT Administration in Chandigarh, Rijiju expressed concern over the increasing crime incidents and deteriorating law and order situation in Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.During his first ever meeting with the UT senior officials, the MoS reviewed the need of creations of new posts and vacancies in UT Police Department. He directed the Administration to ensure that the police force is working effectively and efficiently,
He also asked to procure latest equipments, if required, for better functioning of Police Department in Chandigarh. During the meeting, the Minister also said that the Centre will ensure that Chandigarh is developed as a ‘smart city’.He also assured all assistance from the Centre to develop the city as a solar smart city. The Centre has proposed to develop 100 smart cities in India to reduce the pressure on nation’s existing cities which have inadequate infrastructure to manage rapid people influx from villages.
The Minister was appraised about the various projects of the Administration including Slum Rehabilitation Project, IRB project, Police housing and buildings, strengthening of transport system, betterment of schools, colleges and Municipal services among others.The draft Master Plan of Chandigarh and the development of the city as a model solar city were also part of the discussion. The officials discussed the utilisation of the budget 2014 and the new schemes/initiatives planned for 2014-2015.
A senior official of the UT Administration said that the Minister was apprized about the pending proposals which require approval from the Centre like sanction for creation of new posts, regularisation of certain contractual employees, modernization of the police force, among other projects. Talks on Master Plan were held and the Minister was apprized that the plan will be soon submitted to the MHA. About transport woes in Chandigarh, the MoS was informed about procurement of 219 buses to be done by October, said the official.