The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Relief & Rehabilitation department to place adequate funds at the disposal of deputy commissioners to effectively combat any eventuality arising out of the floods in the current monsoon season.Mr. Badal was presiding over a meeting with the deputy commissioners of flood prone districts of Ropar, Nawanshehar, Ferozepur, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Moga and Kapurthala to review the progress of flood protection works in these districts here at Chief Minister’s residence this evening.
The Chief Minister asked the Financial Commissioner Revenue to immediately sanction Rs. 10 lac in addition to the already released Rs. 10 lac for strengthening the flood protection works at vulnerable sites in consultation with Chief Engineer Drainage. Mr. Badal also directed the Chief Engineer Drainage to ensure that the strengthing and upgradation of the flood protection works at these sites must be completed within a week on war footing adding he said all the concerned Executive Engineers should be mandated to undertake these works on top priority in the larger public interest. He further asked the Chief Engineer Drainage to issue standing instructions to his subordinate staff to start such works immediately in the flood prone areas without waiting for the administrative approval from the competent authority and directed all the officers/officials to comply with these orders meticulously.
The Chief Minister also asked the deputy commissioners to ensure the proper deployment of flood protection equipments like boats, ropes, ladders etc. to evacuate the marooned people in the flood ravaged areas, in case of any exigency. All the deputy commissioners apprised Mr. Badal that they have personally visited the vulnerable sites and already got the work for strengthening of the embankments started on these sites through the Drainage department. Meanwhile, the Chief Engineer Drainage informed Mr. Badal that all the sanctioned flood protection works and cleaning of drains had already been completed. In wake of any emergency, the protection works on Dhusi Bandh by way of laying crates of empty cement bags with sands in rope/wire along all the vulnerable sites was in full swing to prevent the flood water from entering into the villages thus securing the life and property of the people.
Prominent amongst others who attended in the meeting included FCR Mr. NS Kang, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. KJS Cheema, Chief Engineer Drainage Mr. Vinod Chaudary and Chief Engineer canal Mr. AS Dulat besides the deputy commissioners.