Govt panel to ensure supply of essentials

Patna: The state govt has constituted a crisis management group (CMG) to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential commodities and services in Bihar, safeguard the interests of migrant workers and review other related matters in view of the global situation arising from the ongoing war in West Asia.The group will function under the chairmanship of the chief secretary. Senior officials from several key departments have been included as members, including the development commissioner, additional chief secretary (home), director general of police and principal secretary/secretary-level officers of the agriculture, health, urban development and housing, food and consumer protection, cooperatives, labour resources and migrant workers welfare, energy, transport and disaster management departments.

The food and consumer protection department has been designated as the nodal department for the group.The CMG will be responsible for formulating and implementing a coordinated strategy to ensure the availability of essential commodities in the state, monitoring supply chains, protecting the interests of migrant workers and dealing effectively with any potential emergency situations.The first meeting of the crisis management group will be held on March 30 in the office chamber of the chief secretary. Subsequently, another meeting will be held with all divisional commissioners and district magistrates through video conferencing to establish effective coordination across the state.Officials said that if required, other departments may also be included in the group in the future.