The issue of installing number plates on houses in villages of Tehri and Uttarkashi districts, in order to promote the Swachh Bharat Mission and other programs, has gained momentum. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took cognizance of a letter circulating on the internet regarding the assignment of this task to a person from Bihar and ordered the immediate cancellation of the order and an investigation into the matter and action against the culprits. Following this, both District Panchayat Raj Officers (DPROs) cancelled the orders. The Director of Panchayati Raj has issued show-cause notices to both DPROs. The DPROs of Uttarkashi and Tehri had issued orders to assign the task of installing number plates on houses in rural areas to Upendra Kumar, a resident of Chanakya Colony, Fazalganj, Sasaram, Bihar. The number plates were to include the house number and ward number, as well as slogans related to the Swachh Bharat Mission, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and toilets in every home. A price of ₹50 was fixed for the number plate, which was to be collected from the respective building owners. No government or higher-level approval was obtained for this work, nor were procurement regulations followed. After a related letter was circulated on the internet, the Chief Minister took cognizance of the matter and directed officials to take immediate action.
In accordance with the government’s resolve, all schemes and programs must be implemented in the public interest, with transparency and fairness. Officials have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with orders issued regarding the allocation of government works worth up to ₹10 crore to local residents. – Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister
