After hectic electioneering for the Congress party at different states, on his return to Raipur, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel got into action by holding a review meeting at his official residence on Thursday.
Registering his displeasure over drinking water scarcity in various parts of the state with the advent of summer, the CM directed the officials to ensure that by 2020 all the civic bodies could get rid of the practice of supplying water through tankers.
A solution to the problem of water shortage should be found under Smart City Project and Amrit Yojna, he said.
Officials had informed that Rs 20 crore was released initially for drinking water supply in urban areas. Later on another Rs 25 crore has been made available on demand.
He was holding the departmental review meeting in presence of senior officials.
In the meeting he stressed on making fertilizers and seed available for upcoming kharif season, apart from resolving the drinking water crisis in urban and rural areas. He also emphasized on implementation of ‘Narva, Gurva, Ghurva and Baari (NGGB).
Chief Minister laid emphasis on rain water harvesting, holding water in ponds and optimum utilization of surface water to address the water crisis.
He directed the officials to clean existing ponds and to promote age-old tradition of digging ponds. Officials informed that in Bemetera districts hand pumps had gone dry in 109 villages. Water is being supplied to these villages.
Chief Minister directed the officials that those under-trail prisoners booked for minor crimes and those prisoners who have already completed the term of sentence should be released and for this necessary steps should be taken.
Officials should undertake all steps to recover money from fake chit-fund companies, the CM ordered.
Panchayat and rural development department briefed that 1898 ‘Gautan’ is under construction and that in Mungeli, Bilaspur and Balrampur maximum works have been undertaken. Solar power is being used for water supply.