Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday directed the Civil and Police administration to make elaborate, comprehensive and foolproof arrangements at all 104 identified locations across the state for the upcoming sacred festival of Chhath Pooja, asserting that the safety, security and convenience of every devotee would remain the government’s foremost priority.
Chairing a high-level meeting with senior officers, the Chief Minister directed all departments to complete preparations well in advance and ensure that devotees celebrate the festival with complete religious fervour, gaiety and peace.
During this,CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Chhath Pooja is an occasion of deep faith, devotion and cultural significance. Our government is committed to ensuring that devotees can celebrate this sacred festival with complete religious fervour, gaiety and peace. The safety, security and convenience of every devotee is our foremost priority, and we will ensure that no one faces any inconvenience.”
The Chief Minister stated, “104 locations have been identified across Punjab where Chhath Pooja will be observed. All necessary arrangements must be completed well in advance, leaving no stone unturned in facilitating devotees, particularly women and elderly people who observe these rituals with immense faith and devotion.”
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Directing the administration to ensure adequate arrangements at all designated sites, the Chief Minister said, “Fresh water must be pumped into the designated water bodies wherever required. Proper ghats should be constructed and developed in major cities so that devotees can perform their religious rituals safely and conveniently. Special cleanliness drives must also be undertaken at all identified locations, with proper sanitation, lighting and systematic management of the venues.”
“Duties of officers and other staff must be assigned well in advance, with clearly defined responsibilities and accountability. Every department must work in close coordination to ensure the smooth and hassle-free conduct of the festival,” he added.
Expressing serious concern over the safety of devotees performing rituals near water bodies, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Adequate lifeguards must be deployed as a precautionary measure wherever devotees gather near water bodies. Proper barricading, rope arrangements, public address systems and sufficient police personnel must also be ensured to regulate crowds and prevent any untoward incident.”
The Chief Minister further directed the officers to rope in specialised teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), wherever required, to strengthen emergency preparedness.
“Emergency response arrangements must be foolproof, and specialised NDRF and SDRF teams should be involved wherever necessary to ensure an immediate response in case of any eventuality. We will not compromise on the safety of devotees under any circumstances,” he asserted.
Directing senior officers to personally supervise the arrangements, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “All officers must remain vigilant and maintain close coordination with every concerned department. It is our solemn duty to respect the religious sentiments of every community and ensure that every festival in Punjab is celebrated with full enthusiasm, devotion and fervour in an atmosphere of harmony, brotherhood and mutual respect.”
Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora and Hardeep Singh Mundian, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Ravi Bhagat, Special DGP PK Sinha and other senior officers were also present at the meeting.
