CM warns erring revenue officials

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 18

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the government would take strict action against patwaris and other revenue officials if there is any deliberate delay in assessing the loss caused to houses due to rains.

He was replying to a query by Ram Lal Thakur during the question hour in the Vidhan Sabha today. Thakur pointed out that there was intentional delay and wrong assessment being done by patwaris which was causing hardships to poor people.

“There is a verification mechanism which has to be followed. However, I do admit that very often there is inordinate delay and people face inconvenience,” the Chief Minister said. He also assured members that the government would try to not just simplify the formalities to be completed but will also ensure that it is done in a time bound manner.

Thakur said the intention of the government is to give benefit to the people and nobody should doubt the sincerity and efforts being made in this regard. “I admit that the manual giving Rs 95,100 damage for a kuccha house in rural areas and Rs 1.19 lakh in urban areas is too meager. We will consider enhancing this amount,” said Thakur.

Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri raised the issue of outsource employees and the fact that they were being exploited by the companies engaging them. He accused the government of trying to hide the data with regard to outsource employees.

Replying to the query, the Chief Minister denied the accusation of trying to hide the details. “Our intention is very clear to ensure that the outsource employees are not exploited and they get their full wages and on time,” he said. He said the details of the total outsource employees and companies who have engaged them were being collected.

Replying to a query by Vinod Kumar and Anirudh Singh, Forest Minister Govind Thakur said a sum of Rs17.58 lakh had been spent on creating a park and beautifying Darni Ka Bagicha on the Shimla by-pass in 2018-19. “The work on the park is continuing and 3,845 plants of 36 species have been planted there,” he said. He added that five employees had been deputed there to water the plants to ensure their good survival.