Uttarakhand CM issues silt removal orders

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Thursday directed officials to expedite removal of silt from major rivers. This would help safeguard populated areas from flooding. Keeping in mind the complaints of rampant illegal mining in the state, Rawat said it should be ensured that illegal mining is not encouraged on the pretext of silt removal exercise.

In his first meeting with senior officials here after his return from Delhi, the chief minister said CCTV cameras should be installed at locations where silt removal exercise is underway. BJP has alleged a mining scam worth thousands of crore in Uttarakhand and asked the Rawat government to step down on moral grounds.

Rawat, who arrived in the state capital on Wednesday after recuperating from a neck injury at AIIMS in Delhi, met senior officials including Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary Rakesh Sharma.

He also asked officials to explore methods to increase non-taxable income of the state without burdening the people.

"One reforms task force should be constituted in mining, forest and power departments to suggest ways to make these sectors economically more viable," he said.

He also directed officials to develop new trek routes in the state to give a boost to tourism, which was suffered a blow in last year. The chief minister also asked the power department to develop a professional approach and cut down on line loss besides improving the quality of transformers.