State govt constitutes high-level committee

SHIMLA: Facing sharp criticism and local protests, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur called an emergency meeting here on Monday and constituted a high-level committee led by chief secretary Vineet Chawdhry to monitor the situation.

Other members of the committee included additional chief secretary, urban development; deputy commissioner, Shimla; special secretary (revenue); commissioner, Shimla municipal corporation; engineer-inchiefs of PWD and IPH and chief engineer of IPH, while IPH secretary has been made the member secretary and convener.

“The committee has been authorised to take all necessary steps, including requisitioning, hiring of tankers and other resources both from the government and private, to ensure proper supply of drinking water,” Thakur said.

He also directed officials of the irrigation and public health department (IPH), district administration and MC to take all necessary measures to ensure adequate supply of drinking water to the people in Shimla town so that no inconvenience is caused to the residents and tourists here.

He said in addition three tankers each from Sirmaur and Bilaspur have also been called to ensure water supply in the town.

Besides, he also directed officials concerned to check water losses due to leakage in the pipes and also plug all water connections used for construction purposes.