Govt will ensure safety of low-lying areas following water release: Negi

Shimla, September 2

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi today said the state government was ensuring strict implementation of the Dam Safety Act to ensure that the low-lying areas do not suffer damage on release of water.

“While replying to the debate on damage caused by rains and floods in the state in the Vidhan Sabha, Negi the government would stringently enforce the Dam Safety Act to protect the lives and property of people and ensure that projects like the BBMB do not release water mindless to ensure safety of the people living in the low-lying areas.

“The government will strengthen the State Disaster Relief Force and depute them at three locations across the state to be able to meet any eventuality in the shortest possible time. We also propose to appoint Apda Mitraa (Disaster Friends) in panchayats so that people can be made aware and educated about natural disasters,” he said.

The Revenue Minister admitted that the road construction work in the state was not being undertaken scientifically, resulting in landslides and roads getting obstructed.

He also hit out at the BJP for trying to bring about a political disaster in the state by pulling down a democratically elected government, a move defeated by the people of the state. He lashed out at the BJP and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur for trying to bring down the fall of the Congress regime.