Chandigarh, May 10- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, in a high-level review meeting held via video conferencing with the Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners of Police, Superintendents of Police and Administrative Secretaries held on Saturday has issued directions to ensure robust emergency management systems and prevent panic during critical situations. He emphasized proactive coordination, swift responses, and public reassurance as key priorities.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the government is fully committed to public safety. He assured the people of the state that there is no need to panic, as all essential commodities including food, medicine, fuel, and daily necessities are available in sufficient quantities across the state. He emphasized that the government is closely monitoring every situation and has taken all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted availability.
The Chief Minister urged citizens to stay calm, avoid hoarding, and rely only on verified information, adding that necessary action will be taken against those spreading rumors or creating artificial shortages. He stressed that misinformation often leads to panic-buying and inflated prices of essential food items. Authorities must ensure a calm atmosphere and take strict action against rumor-mongering.
Meanwhile, reflecting the vision of mobilizing the collective strength of the people, the Chief Minister directed officers concerned to develop a dedicated portal that will enable citizens to voluntarily offer their services to the government in this crucial time. He said that through this platform, individuals can come forward to contribute in various roles such as drivers, doctors, or any other capacity based on their skills and expertise.
Strict Vigil on Social Media and Misinformation
The Chief Minister directed that social media platforms should be closely monitored. He said that to curb the spread of misinformation, all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police should convene meetings with local reporters and individuals running social media news channels and request them not to circulate any unverified or fake news. Necessary action will be taken against anyone found spreading false or provocative content that could disturb public peace, he said.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the District Administration must authenticate all news before public dissemination. Misleading or panic-inducing news must be dealt with firmly. He urged the citizens to remain calm and not be swayed by rumours or misleading information being spread on social media regarding the current situation.
Form WhatsApp Groups for Emergency Contacts and Streamlined Ambulance Services across Haryana
The Chief Minister said that all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police must form a WhatsApp group in each district to share emergency contact numbers with the public. Each district must designate one responsible and responsive contact number, which should also be shared with the state headquarters.
He also gave directions for the mapping of all 560 government and 600 private ambulances that are presently functional in the state. He said that the response time should be strictly within 5 to 7 minutes. In villages with a population of 5,000 or more, ambulance services must be ensured in coordination with local sarpanches and public representatives.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) must be activated and adequately equipped. A list of medicines, medical personnel, and infrastructure should be prepared for both government and private hospitals, especially in border areas. Private Doctors and retired medical professionals willing to assist in emergencies should also be identified, directed the Chief Minister.
Make necessary arrangements in the in high-rise buildings during blackout
The Chief Minister directed that during blackouts, necessary arrangements must be made in high-rise buildings. Lifts must be kept operational especially for senior citizens and differently-abled persons, enabling their safe evacuation in case of emergencies.
He directed that Fire service vehicles must be kept well-maintained. At least one fire brigade should be deployed in every ‘kasba’ (town) with area-wise mapping completed to ensure timely and unhindered access. He said that smooth water supply should be ensured through water tanks and ‘Diggis’, directed Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. The Chief Minister said that police patrolling must continue uninterrupted during blackout situations. Visible police presence should be maintained across public spaces and residential areas to instill a sense of safety and order.
District Administration must remain vigilant and coordinate closely to maintain public confidence-CS
The Chief Secretary, Sh. Anurag Rastogi apprised the Chief Minister that all the Deputy Commissioners and concerned officers have been directed to issue advisories in line with those released by the Government of India. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining calm and order, he stated that the Deputy Commissioners have been asked to focus on ensuring the continuous supply of essential commodities across the state. He further shared that all actions should be measured and calibrated, and that no messages causing unnecessary panic or escalation should be allowed to circulate. District Administration have been asked to remain vigilant and coordinate closely to maintain public confidence.
Ensure close Vigilance, Disaster Preparedness- Rajesh Khullar
In the meeting, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar, said that Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police should jointly review the situation in their respective districts and carefully implement the provisions of the Disaster Management Act along with the district disaster response plan. He further emphasized that only verified and accurate information should be shared with the public through District Information and Public Relations Officers to ensure that people receive the correct updates and no panic is caused due to misinformation.
24×7 District Control Rooms activated for Enhanced Emergency Response Coordination- Dr. Sumita Misra
The Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra apprised the Chief Minister of the comprehensive steps undertaken to strengthen emergency preparedness under the Disaster Management framework. She said that contingency plans have been prepared, including identification of shelters with essential supplies and accessibility for vulnerable populations, and additional temporary shelters have been arranged in schools and community buildings. Besides this, District Control Rooms have been made operational 24×7 with updated contact directories, inter-agency coordination protocols, and provisions for warning sirens. She informed that Hotlines with local military authorities and other key agencies are being prioritized, and clear communication channels with designated points of contact have been established. She said that Deputy Commissioners have been asked to conduct coordinated rehearsals of activation of sirens and blackout drills.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Cultural Department, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Saket Kumar, Director General, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Cultural Department, Sh. K. Makrand Pandurang and Administrative Secretaries of concerned departments also attended the meeting.
