Raipur
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai held a review meeting with District Superintendents of Police (SPs) on Monday, the second day of his three-day administrative review conference which began on Sunday.
During the SP conference, the Chief Minister issued strict directives on law and order, illegal drug trade, and road safety. Sai instructed authorities to strictly curb the trade of narcotics and psychotropic substances, citing the link between drug abuse and rising crime. He directed officials to ensure timely action in cases registered under the NDPS Act and emphasised that there must be no laxity at any level.
The Chief Minister also instructed an increase in surveillance in inter-state border areas to check illegal activities originating from neighbouring states.
Earlier, on Sunday, the Chief Minister had reviewed the performance of all District Collectors for nearly nine hours, where he reprimanded officers for negligence in their work.
Focus on road safety and public awareness
Sai directed officials to launch a broad public awareness campaign against drug addiction, specifically targeting youth and highlighting the adverse social effects of substance abuse.
Expressing concern over the increasing number of road accidents, the Chief Minister ordered the strict enforcement of road safety standards. He stressed that there must be a ‘fear of the law’ among people who violate rules such as driving under the influence, not wearing helmets, and not using seat belts.
He further directed SPs to identify ‘black spots’ (accident-prone areas) in all districts and complete necessary improvement work at the earliest to reduce fatalities. Sai underscored the need for joint action by the administration and police to tackle law and order, public safety, and social issues, and asked officers to deliver concrete results at the ground level for the welfare of the public.
Congress criticises government action
Meanwhile, State Congress President Deepak Baij criticised the government’s approach. Speaking to the media, Baij alleged that the government made Collectors read out pre-written statements regarding illegal sand mining. He questioned why illegal sand mining had not stopped, saying the Chief Minister himself had acknowledged its occurrence.
Baij further stated that the policy and agreements with millers for paddy procurement were decided by the government, but Collectors were being unfairly held responsible. He claimed the government was pressurising and intimidating the Collectors, using the issue as a new excuse concerning paddy procurement.
The Congress leader alleged the government lacked the courage to discuss good governance, claiming that law and order, crime, corruption, and administrative anarchy were at their peak. He suggested that the third day of the conference was postponed to prevent the exposure of the ‘failure of good governance’.
Referring to a protest by the tribal community in Kawardha, Baij said the SP-Collector conference was merely a formality. He stated that the government was failing to provide security to the common people, who are distressed and protesting the deteriorating law and order situation, labelling the Chief Minister’s claims of good governance as a ‘farce’.
Forest and Good Governance sessions held
A separate conference for Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) was held from 2 pm to 4 pm. This session involved senior officials from the Forest Department and focused on reviewing schemes, wildlife conservation, resource management, and regional forest policies.
The three-day review will conclude with a ‘Good Governance Dialogue’ programme, scheduled from 4.15 pm to 7.30 pm. The Chief Minister described the conference as a crucial platform to enhance good governance and administrative efficiency in the state.
