In the backdrop of the tragic incident on July 8 where an old heritage tree crushed a student to death and injured several others, the UT administration on Monday directed the officers to go for an extensive survey of all dead and dry trees posing danger to human life and property.
UT Adviser Dharam Pal said that all the remaining 30 Heritage trees have been thoroughly verified by the committee consisting of officers from Engineering Department, Horticulture Wing of Municipal Corporation and Forest Department, UT Chandigarh for their health, strength and vulnerability to uprooting among others.
After thorough examination of all the aspects, the committee has recommended pruning of branches of 3 heritage trees including one at Sukhna Lake and axing of 2 over-matured trees standing in Sector 19 and 23. The Adviser has directed to take Immediate action on the recommendations. He said that axing of dead & dry trees are carried away by the Administration on regular basis following due protocol and during the last 5 years, 1634 dead and dry trees have been cut from various places in Chandigarh.
Earlier, six teams consisting of officers from Engineering Department, Horticulture Wing of Municipal Corporation and Forest Department, UT Chandigarh were deployed for carrying out a survey of over 200 schools and educational institutions. The teams are likely to submit their report on Tuesday.
Focus on disseminating govt policies at ground level, says Arora
PNS / Chandigarh
Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister Aman Arora on Monday presided over his first meeting with the officers of the department to have a grasp on its functioning and carry out further refinements in tune with the changing times.
The Minister was apprised by the Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh about various sections of the department such as Press Section, Advertisement and Punmedia Society etc. The Secretary further said that the diligent and dedicated team of the officers is engaged headlong in disseminating the Government policies and programmes at the ground level besides devoting special attention to the social media aspect to move in sync with the newly emerging trends.
The Minister exhorted the officers to work in unison as a team and keep on making coordinated efforts so as to act as a bridge between the Government and the people who must be kept abreast of the progress centric policies of the State Government. "There would be zero tolerance towards laxity in the discharge of duties", added the Minister.
Among those present in the meeting included the Director Sonali Giri, Joint Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Additional Director Sandeep Singh Garha, Additional Director Opinder Singh Lamba, Joint Directors Randeep Singh Ahluwalia and Harjeet Singh Grewal, Deputy Directors Ishwinder Singh Grewal and Manvinder Singh.