Start drought relief works immediately, Raman asks officials

     Raipur, April 28, 2009: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh today directed his officials to start drought relief work immediately and also take all steps to provide safe drinking water to the people.

      A day after the Model Code of Conduct was relaxed by the Election Commission, the Chief Minister called a review meeting of officials and took stock of the situation at the Secretariat as the state was reeling under a drought situation.

     Singh also expressed concern over the depleting ground water table and asked the officials to improve the condition through a better management till the state experience rainfall.

     Since the state has its own machines, prompt action should be initiated to dig bore wells in scarcity affected areas, and where that was not possible take steps to transport drinking water, Singh told his officials.

       After the meeting the Chief Minister also told reporters here that the people would not be allowed to suffer in any condition and he had directed his officials today to take all necessary steps to provide them all assistance.

        Since the Election Commission had lifted the ban on tenders, bids should be invited and also the officials should start employment generated works in drought hit and other affected areas, he said.

         Besides Chief Secretary P Joy Oommen and Secretary to the Chief Minister N Baijendra Kumar, Joint Secretary Aman Singh, Principal Secretary Rural Development D S Mishra, PS (Home) N K Aswal, PHE Secretary Prafulla Dalai, Revenue Secretary Jawahar Srivastav, Irrigation Secretary C K Khetan and other top officials were present in the meeting.