- Chief Minister holds a review meeting via video conference; directs action against misleading news within four hours.
Patna: In view of the upcoming festivals of Diwali, Kali Puja, and the major festival of Chhath, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary reviewed the state’s law and order, security, sanitation, and other essential preparations via video conference on Friday. During the meeting, he issued several key directives to the officials.
The Chief Minister noted that during the festive season, a large number of people from Bihar return home from other states and abroad. He emphasized ensuring that upon their return to their home state, they experience joy, a sense of security, and positive change.
The Chief Minister urged all officials to remain vigilant and proactive regarding Diwali, Kali Puja, and Chhath. He stressed that all necessary preparations must be completed on time, alongside maintaining law and order. He highlighted that Chhath is a source of pride for Bihar and a cornerstone of its cultural identity, and therefore, special attention must be paid to the convenience, safety, and cleanliness for the devotees.
The Chief Minister directed the deployment of an adequate police force to maintain law and order throughout the festive period. He instructed that Quick Response Teams (QRTs) be formed in every district and kept fully active and alert. He called for round-the-clock patrolling around railway stations and bus stands, ensuring that police patrols remain effective and that immediate action is taken in the event of any untoward incident.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for excellent sanitation arrangements at railway stations, bus stands, public spaces, and Chhath ghats. He directed District Magistrates to personally monitor these arrangements on a regular basis. He mandated that security measures and other facilities at Chhath ghats must meet established standards and suggested involving local volunteers in the process. He also gave instructions to ensure the presence of local swimmers at Chhath ghats in rural areas and to prioritize electrical safety above all else, explicitly stating that no exposed (live) wires should be used anywhere. The Chief Minister directed the formation of ‘Quick Response Teams’ at every level to take immediate action against misleading and fake news. He stated that if a report is found to be accurate, necessary action should be taken and a response provided promptly; conversely, if a report is false, it should be refuted immediately. A response must be ensured within a maximum of four hours to prevent the creation of a negative atmosphere due to misinformation and to ensure that the public receives accurate information.
The Chief Minister announced that he would begin visiting various districts after November 25. He further stated that, starting from November 16, the implementation of development schemes would be reviewed regularly, with a special focus on ongoing development projects. To accelerate industrial growth in the state, he instructed District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to hold monthly meetings with industrialists. The objective of these meetings is to address their concerns and create new opportunities for investment and employment.
