GUWAHATI:
Making a call to ensure an ‘accident-free New Year’, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on December 19, directed all deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs) to set a target to reduce accidents by a minimum of 20 per cent during this period in the coming year.
Reviewing the measures taken for enforcement of road safety in a video conferencing from Guwahati, Sarma also directed to carry out strict vigilance at picnic spots to ensure that nobody indulges in drunken and speed driving.
The Chief Minister asked the DCs to conduct a drive by the officials of the excise department against illegal liquor sales at picnic spots.
Underlining the importance of strict measures on road safety to reduce fatalities, Sarma directed the DCs and SPs to take strong action for the enforcement of road safety protocols.
Sarma asked the DCs and SPs to take action against bike stunts, speed and drunken driving and intensify patrolling on National Highway and important roads across the state.
The Chief Minister stressed detailed analysis of road accidents to identify causes for corrective measures as well as enforcement of safety measures.
He directed the deputy commissioners to conduct a regular review of road accidents and identify spots where accidents take place regularly.
He said that District Road Safety Committee must visit all such spots to get a first-hand understanding of the situation. While directing the transport department to prepare an analytical report of all accidents that have taken place during the year, the Chief Minister instructed the DCs to take up repairing and other road-related matters with state PWD and NHIDCL on a priority basis.
The Chief Minister also discussed issues related to the guideline on the selection of beneficiaries under Orunodoi 2.0 during the video conference. He directed the DCs to act in a manner to achieve the set target by April 10 and to ensure the “One Household One Beneficiary” norm through the ongoing selection process.
While discussing matters related to paddy procurement, the Chief Minister said that it is a priority area of the Government and all districts must intensify the procurement drive. He asked the DCs to take steps for the mobilization of farmers and carry out extensive publicity for natural drying methods to reduce the moisture content to make the paddy ready for sale.
The Chief Minister also discussed the implementation of the Amrit Sarovar project under which 2985 ponds are to be created across Assam. He directed the DCs to submit all remaining DPRs for the project in a speedy manner. The Chief Minister also asked the DCs to carry out the Special Immunization Drive in a focused manner.
P&RD minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass, health minister Keshav Mahanta, handloom & textiles minister UG Brahma, finance minister Ajanta Neog, revenue minister Jogen Mohan, I&PR minister Pijush Hazarika, PHED minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta, additional chief secretary FCS&CA BR Samal, principal secretary to CM Samir Kumar Sinha, principal secretary P&RD JB Ekka, commissioner & secretary finance Jayant Narlikar, city police commissioner Diganta Bora, transport commissioner Adil Khan and other senior officials were present during the video conference.