HT Correspondent
SILCHAR, April 25: In less than three days after receiving the prestigious award for excellence in public administration from Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Cachar deputy commissioner Keerthi Jalli swung into action for cleaning a sewerage channel Ranghirkhal in Silchar town on Sunday morning.
Responding to the call of Silchar BJP legislator Dipayan Chakraborty, DC Jalli along with BJP district president Bimalendu Roy and officials of various line departments were also present and took stock of the sewerage channel’s work.
They themselves tried to clean the drains with the help of a boat in Ranghirkhal.
Expressing her views, DC Keerthi Jalli said, “Rangirkhal has been choked up due to dumping of garbage and illegal construction for a considerable period of time. We will carry out the task of cleaning it and the connected drains so that the town is not inundated by artificial flood during the rainy season.”
“I would like to reiterate that until and unless people become conscious and stop throwing garbage in the drains, these cleaning exercises will be futile. It is for the people to decide whether they want to save their town or not,” she said.
“Further, the government has adopted a zero tolerance policy against illegal encroachments and thus the administration will certainly conduct eviction drives and clear all illegal structures/settlements,” Jalli said.
“Local markets set up near drains are also dumping their garbage in the drains. I would like to appeal to the people to stop dumping garbage in the drains. Please help us to help you,” DC Jalli appealed.
DC Keerthi Jalli also warned all vegetable vendors at various parts of the town like National Highway and Rangirkhari among others to stop dumping garbage in the drains. She directed them to hand over the garbage to municipal garbage disposal vehicles for proper disposal.
Sharing his reaction Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty said, “People of Silchar have elected me as the MLA of this town. It is my responsibility to provide them a better civic life and for this I solicit your co-operation. The present government led by Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken in hand multiple welfare schemes, but only the government initiatives are not enough until and unless people come forward and lend their hand of cooperation.”
“I can fulfill your dreams only when you all cooperate with us in keeping the drains garbage – free,” added MLA Dipayan.
He also appealed to the people at large not to encroach upon the drains while constructing buildings or markets.
“It’s the people who ultimately shall have to help in making this town beautiful,” said MLA Silchar Dipayan Chakraborty.
It is pertinent to mention that the big drains flowing through the heart of Silchar town have become choked due to encroachment, illegal constructions and dumping of garbage. Such a scene could also be discerned at Ranghirkhal and Singirkhal. All such activities result in choking of these drains, which ultimately leads to artificial flood during the rainy season.
Meanwhile, sharing his elation, leading citizen, businessman & president of District Sports Association, Babul Hore said, “The initiative undertaken by Cachar DC and the MLA of Silchar is praiseworthy. It is the need of the hour. And as the MLA and DC themselves said, all the people of our place must come forward and help the administration in keeping the city garbage-free and clean. I wish the very best for all future endeavours as far as this very important initiative is concerned.”
The efforts undertaken by both Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty and Cachar DC Keerthi Jalli were also praised by the civil society of Silchar.