Chitrakoot, 06 Sept (HS):

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

chaired a review meeting at the New Circuit House, Devangana, regarding the flood

situation in Chitrakoot district, relief and rescue operations, and

rehabilitation and development projects in the affected areas. During the

meeting, the Chief Minister received detailed information from officials

regarding the flood damage and relief work, and provided necessary guidance.

The Chief Minister also inquired

about the losses suffered by traders and inquired about the relief work being

carried out by the district administration. District Magistrate Pulkit Garg

stated that currently, affected traders are being provided with clothing and

utensils. In the flood-affected area of Tehsil Karvi, 35,000 lunch packets,

4,500 ration kits, and Rs. 50 lakh have been distributed to 650

accounts. The Chief Minister directed that a survey of the losses of affected traders, saints, and farmers be

conducted to compile a list of them, and that eligible individuals be provided

immediate assistance as per the rules.

The Chief Minister also directed

that the survey of crop damage to farmers be conducted on a priority basis. He

stated that a survey should be conducted of those whose houses have been

completely damaged, and eligible families should be provided with leasehold

land and housing. Financial assistance should be provided as per regulations

for the repair of partially damaged houses, and eligible affected families in

rural areas should benefit from the G-Ram-G schemes. He inquired about the

relief kits available in the district and directed that the remaining relief

kits be distributed to every eligible affected person within 48 hours. The

quality of the relief materials should be of high standard. He gave clear

instructions that relief and rehabilitation assistance should be provided to

beneficiaries solely on the basis of eligibility, without any discrimination

based on caste, religion, or any other considerations.

Instructed to identify river

encroachments and find a permanent solution to the flood problem: The Chief

Minister directed the District Magistrate to immediately identify encroachments

on the Mandakini River and its banks. He stated that floods occur every year,

and the river's width is sufficient to drain large areas of water. Narrowing

the river increases the potential for flood damage. He stated that while there

were no human casualties this time, there was widespread financial loss.

Describing the flood situation

as a serious disaster, he directed the development of an effective action plan

for a permanent solution. The Chief Minister directed action to be taken to

move temples and monasteries adjacent to the river's ghats, as needed, back to

ensure adequate river width and drainage. He also ordered an inspection and

technical audit of the bridges built on the river, to determine the

organization that constructed the bridges and their quality and structural

condition. He directed that a list of temples, monasteries, and commercial

establishments damaged by the floods be prepared and necessary action be taken.

The Chief Minister stated that sustainable and effective preparations should be

made in view of the annual floods in Chitrakoot, and coordination with the

Madhya Pradesh government, if necessary, should be established to minimize future

loss of life and property.

Instructions to improve the

city's sanitation system and effective sewage treatment in the river: The Chief

Minister inquired about the city's sanitation system and the number of

sanitation workers. The Executive Officer in Charge/Sub-District Magistrate

informed that the Municipal Council currently employs 305 sanitation workers.

The Chief Minister directed an increase in the number of sanitation workers and

directed the administration to ensure the provision of additional manpower and

to initiate correspondence for a permanent Executive Officer for the Municipal

Council. He directed that sanitation should be improved throughout the town.

Encroachments on drains should be removed and footpaths should be developed

over drains as needed.

In case of a shortage of

sanitation workers, additional human resources should be arranged locally to

expedite the cleaning work. The Honorable Chief Minister said that the debris

and shops left on the roads due to the floods should be cleaned as soon as

possible by increasing manpower. The Chief Minister said that proper treatment

of sewer and drain water flowing into the river should be ensured to maintain

the cleanliness and purity of the Mandakini River. He stated that millions of

devotees from across the country and the state visit Chitrakoot Dham,

therefore, the area should be clean, beautiful, and organized, and it will not

be allowed to become a junkyard under any circumstances. Regarding the damaged

statue of Goswami Tulsidas Ji, he directed that a suitable and proper site be

identified and the statue be installed with respect.

Expressed displeasure over the

delay in the Devangana Airport-Karvi four-lane road: The Chief Minister

inquired about the approval and completion date for the four-lane road

construction from Devangana Airport to Karvi. The Executive Engineer, Public

Works Department, Provincial Division, informed him that the project was

approved in 2023 and was scheduled to be completed in 2024. Expressing deep

displeasure over the work not being completed even after the stipulated time,

the Chief Minister directed the District Magistrate to conduct an investigation

and submit a report within 24 hours. He said that if the contractor is found

guilty of delaying the work, action should be taken against him as per the

rules and he should be blacklisted. If negligence or irregularities are found

against the concerned Public Works Department official, strict action should

also be taken against them.

Instructions for Health Services

and Medical Arrangements in Flood-Affected Areas: The Chief Minister inquired

about the state of health services in the district. The Chief Medical Officer

informed that 40 health teams have been deployed in the flood-affected areas

and flood posts have been established. Essential medicines, including chlorine,

are being distributed through ASHAs and ANMs. All flood posts are actively

functioning. Anti-larvae and bleaching sprays are being carried out in the most

affected areas, including Ramghat. The Chief Minister directed that adequate

availability of relevant vaccines and essential medicines be ensured in view of

the risk of snakebites, dog bites, and wild animal attacks. He also directed

that alternative arrangements be made for the education of children living in

flood relief camps and in schools where education has been disrupted due to

waterlogging or other reasons.

Instructions for immediate

repair of damaged roads, electricity and other systems: The Chief Minister gave

instructions to conduct a survey of the losses suffered by traders, saints and

farmers and send its report soon. He said that preparations should be made to

immediately start the survey and repair work of roads, electricity system and

other public assets damaged due to floods. For this, work should be expedited

by appointing nodal officers in the concerned departments.

Instructions were given for special

vigilance on law and order: The Chief Minister directed the police department

to exercise special vigilance regarding law and order. He directed them to

increase police patrolling and to ensure zero tolerance for any type of

anarchy, disorder, or hooliganism in the district. He said that by taking

strict action against anti-social and anarchic elements, peace, security, and

law and order should be maintained in the district. At the end of the meeting,

the Honorable Chief Minister directed the officials to ensure that relief and

rehabilitation benefits are provided to flood-affected people in a timely,

transparent, and sensitive manner, and to ensure effective action by preparing

a long-term action plan to minimize future flood damage.

Uttar Pradesh government's

cabinet minister for water power Swatantradev Singh, district in-charge

minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, MLA Mau/Manikpur Avinash Chandra Dwivedi,

district panchayat president Ashok Jatav, Bharatiya Janata Party district

president Mahendra Kotary, former MP RK Singh Patel, Bhairav Prasad Mishra,

Ramesh Chandra Dwivedi, former state minister Chandrika Prasad Upadhyay, former

MLA Anand Shukla, chairman of the district cooperative bank Pankaj Agrawal,

chairman of the municipal council Narendra Gupta, ADG Prayagraj zone Jyoti

Narayan, commissioner Chitrakootdham Mandal Banda Ajit Kumar, deputy inspector

general of police range Banda Rajesh S, district magistrate Pulkit Garg,

superintendent of police Arun Singh, chief development officer DP Pal along

with concerned officers and public representatives were present in the meeting.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi