Water protests: Ghaziabad gets new district magistrate

Hirdesh Kumar was Wednesday appointed the new district magistrate of Ghaziabad following the ouster of R. Ramesh Kumar from the post after Jat leaders stopped water supply from the Upper Ganges Canal (UGC) to Delhi.

Hirdesh Kumar was Wednesday appointed the new district magistrate of Ghaziabad following the ouster of R. Ramesh Kumar from the post after Jat leaders stopped water supply from the Upper Ganges Canal (UGC) to Delhi.

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Hirdesh Kumar is a 1999 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Jammu and Kashmir cadre.

The new district magistrate, speaking about his priorities to strengthen the infrastructure of the city adjoining the national capital, said: "We have to make this city equal to Delhi in all respects and have to strengthen its infrastructure."

On the deteriorating law and order situation, Hirdesh Kumar said the special care would be taken to ensure the safety of women.

An engineering graduate from IIT Roorkee, Hirdesh Kumar said he would execute state housing and employment policies to provide minimum livings standard for the poor.

"Being the resident of neighbouring district Bijnore, I am well aware about the nature of problems faced by the public, so would be able to administer the district in a better manner," Hirdesh Kumar said.

Hirdesh Kumar's predecessor R. Ramesh Kumar has been transferred to Gazipur.

The water blockade Saturday that spilled over into Sunday was staged in support of the Jats' demand for reservations in central services.