)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat is attempting what seems to be an image makeover of his government.
After tightening his grip over the ruling Congress, Rawat also appears to be looking for newer ways to catch public attention.
For the past few days, he had been taking impromptu meetings, making surprise visits to hospitals, shelter homes and even checking the streets of the city in the dead of night to take stock of the police security, with his cavalcade. In public parks, he is even seen exchanging pleasantries with people.
On Sunday night, the chief minister was in Haridwar to hold meetings with senior district administration and police officers. At a random crossing where he found no policeman, Rawat immediately instructed Dehradun Deputy Inspector General Pushpak Jyoti to post personnel there. He said he wants no laxity with police security in the city.
On Friday, Rawat conducted surprise visits at different government departments to check the strength of employees on duty. He also visited Nari Niketan and other shelter homes to see the condition. Rawat also issued necessary instructions to top officials to improve the conditions in these shelter homes. Rawat has ordered all district magistrates (DMs) to go for field works.
"Everybody knows that Rawat is now firmly in saddle. During the Vijay Bahuguna regime, the image of the government had been dented considerably, especially after the 2013 calamitous floods in the state," said a senior Congress leader. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party remains skeptical. "The government's performance is very bad. The chief minister is just doing a drama to improve his image." said Ajay Bhatt, the Leader of the Opposition.
