Aim to make Haridwar a model of cleanliness, planning and good governance: Dixit
ARUN KASHYAP/Haridwar
The Haridwar district magistrate Mayur Dixit is focusing on various aspects including enhancing the level of sanitation, ensuring proper civic facilitation and making the district a model of good governance. In an exclusive conversation with The Pioneer, he listed out his priorities and other issues in the district.
What are your priorities as the DM of the district important from the religious, tourism and industrial points of view?
Thousands of devotees arrive daily in Haridwar. Considering this, planned work was undertaken on an elaborate scale for ensuring the desired level of cleanliness at Ganga ghats, religious places and in the city. We focused on strengthening the sanitation campaign with the support of urban local bodies, the administrative machinery and the general public. We are aiming to make Haridwar number in the country when it comes to cleanliness.
How do you view the action taken against illegal mining and what is being done to resolve this problem?
The policy of the administration is clear when it comes to illegal mining and encroachments- these will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Strict action is taken whenever information is received and FIRs were also lodged in various cases with heavy penalties also being collected. We are developing a permanent and effective system to prevent such illegal activities in the future.
How has the experience of the weekly Janata Darbar been so far?
The weekly Janata Darbar has been developed as an effective platform for ensuring swift solution of the public grievances. Officials of all the departments are present in the weekly public hearing held every Monday. An average of 100 complaints are received every week and these are resolved in a time-bound and effective manner. Action has also been taken against officials found to be negligent. We are aiming to decrease the gap between the administration and the general public while building an atmosphere of trust.
How are you implementing administrative transparency and good governance in the district?
Administrative transparency and good governance are the basic foundations of my working style. We have adopted the policy of zero tolerance for corruption and the responsibility of the officers and employees is also being fixed. The administration is ensuring stern action if irregularity is found at any level.
What are your long-term plans for the integrated development of Haridwar while maintaining a balance between economics and ecology?
We are already working on the integrated development of Haridwar from the long-term perspective. Special work plans have been made for highways, development of Ganga ghats, waste management, traffic arrangement, parking, e-rickshaw policy and protection of stray cattle before the Kumbh in Haridwar. The coming Kanwad Mela and Kumbh Mela are among the main priorities of the administration.
Are any special efforts being undertaken for skill development and income generation among youth in the district?
The administration is serious about employment for youth. Through communication with industrial enterprises, we are attempting to facilitate priority for local youth in employment opportunities. Self-employment opportunities are also being encouraged through agriculture, horticulture and the cultivation of mushroom and dragon fruit.
What is your message to the people of Haridwar?
It is our collective moral duty to ensure that the benefit of government schemes reaches the last available beneficiary in society. The people of Haridwar are hardworking and honest. If the people and the administration work together, we can develop our district into a model of cleanliness, planning and good governance.
