The North News
Chandigarh, September 26
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed officials to intensify cleanliness and rehabilitation efforts in flood-hit towns and cities, urging the involvement of youth clubs, NGOs and social organisations to mobilise wider community participation.
Reviewing the ongoing operations via a virtual meeting with Commissioners of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) on Friday, Mann said several districts had been badly affected by floods caused by heavy rains in late August and early September, with rivers including the Ravi, Beas, Satluj and Ghaggar overflowing. He stressed the urgent need to restore normalcy through measures focused on cleanliness, drinking water supply and preventive healthcare.
The Chief Minister ordered ULBs to step up special cleanliness drives, remove silt and debris, and carry out fogging operations to prevent outbreaks of vector-borne diseases. He also directed officials to survey damage to houses, shops and public assets, and submit findings for relief and compensation.
Repairs to water supply systems, streetlights, sewage treatment plants and damaged roads should begin immediately, Mann said, though large-scale road works and pothole filling would wait until the end of the monsoon.
Calling for transparency and accountability, Mann said Commissioners would be held responsible for restoration work in municipal corporations, while Additional Deputy Commissioners would oversee monitoring in municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats. He instructed officials to appoint nodal officers in major towns and make their contact details available to residents.
The Chief Minister also suggested engaging ex-servicemen working with ULBs to support reporting and verification of relief measures. He warned that negligence or laxity in the restoration process “will not be tolerated”. Cabinet Minister Dr Ravjot Singh, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha and senior officials also attended the meeting.
