CHANDIGARH, June 22

In a sweeping public safety directive, Punjab Local Government Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains has set a June 30, 2026 deadline for every city in the state to be “open manhole-free”, while directing all municipal Commissioners and ADCs (Urban Development) to submit a compliance report in this regard. He made it clear that laxity on “zero open manhole” drive under Mission Clean Punjab will invite strict consequences.

The directive follows a state-wide safety audit that exposed 1,451 gaps in sewerage infrastructure ahead of the monsoon season, S. Harjot Singh said that over 1000 have already been rectified. He stressed that verified closure of all remaining open manholes is non-negotiable to avert water-logging related accidents during the rainy season.

Calling open manholes “death traps” especially during rains, S. Harjot Singh Bains emphasised that citizen safety is non-negotiable and warned of zero tolerance for negligence. The drive is part of the broader ‘Mission Clean Punjab’ initiative spearheaded by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government.

To ensure accountability, the Local Government department has rolled out an AI-integrated mobile app for real-time tracking of manhole closures. Civic officials must now conduct mandatory field inspections daily from 7 AM to 8 AM, while 24×7 ‘War Rooms’ in all urban centres will monitor water-logging, sewer blockages and monsoon-related complaints, he added.

With only 8 days left to meet the deadline, Administrative Secretary Local Government Mr. Ghanshyam Thori, who is personally overseeing the drive, warned that any official found negligent in closing open manholes will face disciplinary action and the accountability will be fixed.

Chandigarh:

Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh today said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government will organize “NRI Milni” on June 24, 2026 at Amity University, Mohali.

Divulging further details, the Cabinet Minister said that this event is being organized as part of the Punjab Government’s continued commitment to strengthening its engagement with the global Punjabi diaspora and ensuring the timely resolution of issues faced by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). “NRI Milni 2026 will serve as an important platform for direct interaction between NRIs and the Government of Punjab, enabling participants to raise concerns, share suggestions and seek solutions to matters related to their respective districts and the state”, he added.

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the primary objectives of the event are to foster meaningful engagement with the NRI community, address grievances in an effective and transparent manner and further strengthen institutional mechanisms for grievance redressal. Through this initiative, the Department of NRI Affairs aims to deepen its outreach and reinforce the enduring bond between Punjab and Punjabis residing across the globe.

The Cabinet Minister informed that NRIs belonging to the districts of SAS Nagar (Mohali), Rupnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala have been invited to participate in the programme. He urged all eligible NRIs from these districts to take advantage of this opportunity to interact directly with senior government officials and place their concerns before the appropriate authorities.

He said that to facilitate smooth participation and advance planning, interested participants are requested to register through the official online registration form available at https://forms.gle/PZjpvKuEA2iPRU6D9

While registering, participants are requested to provide accurate information, including their full name, address, contact number, email ID and details of any previous complaint or issue related to their district. This information will assist the Department in ensuring the efficient handling and timely resolution of matters raised during the event, said the Cabinet Minister.

Dr. Ravjot Singh reiterated that the Punjab Government is fully committed to safeguarding the interests of the NRI community and addressing their concerns through responsive, transparent and citizen-centric governance. He expressed confidence that NRI Milni 2026 would emerge as a productive forum for dialogue, collaboration and problem-solving, while further strengthening the relationship between Punjab and its vibrant global diaspora.

The Cabinet Minister urged all eligible NRIs from the concerned districts to participate actively and contribute towards making NRI Milni 2026 a meaningful and productive event for the worldwide Punjabi community.

Chandigarh, June 20: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development and the Haryana AI Development Project have been prepared to provide better facilities to the people.

The Chief Minister was reviewing the progress of the Clean Air and AI projects launched in the state on Saturday. Chief Principal Secretary to CM Rajesh Khullar, Principal Secretary Arun Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary CRID J. Ganesan, Joint Secretary Deepak Kumar, CRID CPO Nitin Bansal, Ninad Rajput, Pulin Singh, Sangar Jain and several senior officers were present in the meeting.

The Chief Minister said that an amount of ₹3,647 crore would be spent under the Haryana Clean Air Project. Nine departments, including the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Gurugram Metropolitan City Bus Service, Haryana City Bus Service, Development and Panchayats Department, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Transport Department, Industries and Commerce Department and Urban Local Bodies Department, will work jointly on the project.

He said that an Arjun SPV would be constituted and review meetings would be held every three months to ensure timely completion of the projects and to provide benefits to the public at the earliest.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that under the Haryana AI Development Programme, a State AI Data Centre is being established in Panchkula and the Global Artificial Intelligence Centre (GAIC) in Gurugram. These projects will involve an investment of ₹474 crore. Haryana will have its own AI State Data Centre, where transparent and accurate data will be collected and matched through PPP. Besides this, two Centres of Excellence are being established at a cost of ₹40 crore to provide skill courses and collaborative workshops for industries.

He announced that Haryana would launch an AI Sandbox. The Haryana Data Exchange and Haryana State Data Lake Platform will be developed to facilitate better service delivery.

The Chief Minister further said that under the Air Quality Control Project, 500 electric buses will be introduced in Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat and Jhajjar at a cost of ₹90 crore. Around 200 charging stations will also be set up, and incentives will be provided for their establishment. Incentives will also be offered for the purchase of new electric three-wheelers and replacement of old ones. The government will promote the use of cleaner DG sets in industries and provide incentives for the installation of Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) devices. Efforts will also be made to strengthen dust and waste management capacities in urban local bodies.

In addition, measures will be undertaken to reduce stubble burning incidents, promote research on the use of bio-decomposers for improving air quality, strengthen laboratory infrastructure and develop CAQM stations.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that two mobile vans would also be deployed in the state for monitoring air quality so that AQI levels could be checked in any part of Haryana. Expansion of the SPV setup and Programme Management Unit would also be undertaken.

He informed that the Haryana Data Exchange Policy would soon be introduced to create better digital infrastructure. Besides this, an AI Gurukul will be launched to impart AI education to children. Students trained under the initiative would be able to secure placements within a year with ease.

Chandigarh, June 20 – Under the visionary leadership and guidance of Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the World Bank has approved a loan of Rs. 4,000 crore under the Rs. 5,714 crore ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana’ Project, aimed at making the state self-reliant in the water sector. Under the project, 15 clusters have been created in the state, covering an area of 48.94 lakh acres.

The Chief Minister was presiding over a meeting of senior officers on Saturday to review the implementation of the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana’ Project at Chandigarh. Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry was also present at the meeting.

The Chief Minister directed officers to prepare a comprehensive water management plan and ensure its effective implementation at the grassroots level so that water reaches every field. He emphasised the need for optimum use of treated water and stressed that every drop of water should be conserved and utilised efficiently. He also called for the development of a digital water management system to enable accurate monitoring of water availability, budgeting and usage across the state.

Village-Level water committees to be formed

The Chief Minister directed that village-level water committees be actively involved in the development and maintenance of khaals (water channels). He said a dedicated fund should be created for these committees, with the state government also contributing towards the maintenance and repair of khaals .

Describing Jal Sanrakshit Haryana as a flagship intensive water resource management programme, he said the project will be implemented in phases over six years, from 2026 to 2032. This funding will be used for extensive work in the canal sector, including the rehabilitation of the state’s remaining 678 canals. This includes rehabilitation of 106 canals with World Bank assistance at a cost of Rs.2,484.87 crore, 293 canals through state budget funding at a cost of Rs.2,230 crore, and 279 canals through NABARD-supported projects.

The Chief Minister further said that the MICADA programme will undertake the rehabilitation work of 620 khaals (water channels), benefiting around 3.18 lakh acres of agricultural land. Besides this, 120 canal-based micro-irrigation projects will be upgraded, extending irrigation benefits to approximately 56,830 acres of land.

The programme also includes reclamation of nearly 2 lakh acres of waterlogged land, promotion of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) on 5 lakh acres, and encouragement of crop diversification on around 1.12 lakh acres of land. In addition, sustainable and water-conservation-based agriculture will be promoted through crop diversification, direct seeding of paddy, and other measures.

147 Water Bodies to be developed in seven districts

To strengthen groundwater recharge, approximately 147 water bodies will be developed in seven districts—Bhiwani, Jind, Kaithal, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Charkhi Dadri and Sirsa. Besides this, treated wastewater from major Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Jind, Kaithal and Dhanwapur (Gurugram) will be reused for irrigation purposes. These four STPs will cover 28,000 acres of land, with an estimated project cost of Rs. 282.13 crore.

The Chief Minister said the World Bank has appreciated the state government’s forward-looking approach and described the Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Programme as a transformational initiative in water resource management. Upon completion, all canals in Haryana will be rehabilitated and modernised, significantly strengthening the state’s irrigation infrastructure.

He said the programme will not only serve as a milestone in making Haryana water-secure and self-reliant but will also reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe, inclusive and sustainable water future for coming generations.

Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sh. Arun Gupta,  Additional Chief Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Sh. Anurag Agarwal,  Director General, Agriculture Department, Sh. Rajnarayan Kaushik, EIC cum HoD Spl. Sh. Birender Singh and other senior officers were present during the meeting.

Chandigarh, June 19  : K. Makrand Pandurang, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA), on Friday inspected various development works being undertaken by the PMDA across Panchkula and issued necessary directions to the concerned officials.

Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Sh Satpal Sharma, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sh Vinay Kumar, and other senior officers accompanied him during the inspection.

The CEO reviewed the condition and ongoing works at Topiary Park, Nirjhar Vatika, Fountain Park, Cactus Garden, major roundabouts , Rajiv Colony, and Atal Park.

During the inspection, Sh Pandurang directed officials to submit detailed reports on all ongoing projects and ensure that infrastructure maintenance is carried out in accordance with prescribed standards. He emphasized that the PMDA is committed to enhancing the beauty and sustainability of parks through the use of treated water systems and ensuring their long-term upkeep.

He further instructed officials to accord special attention to cleanliness, beautification, and the regular maintenance of fountains, particularly in prominent parks such as Nirjhar Vatika and Fountain Park, to provide a better experience for visitors and residents.

The CEO also directed officials to ensure high-quality landscaping in parks and green spaces, improve walkways, and carry out horticultural activities such as regular hedge trimming and plant maintenance. Keeping public convenience in mind, he emphasized enhancing accessibility, maintaining public amenities and toilets, and upgrading infrastructure such as benches and signage.

During the inspection, officials reviewed the cleanliness and upkeep of roads, drains, pathways, and public spaces. Discussions were also held on adopting more efficient and automated horticulture and irrigation solutions. In addition, the progress of key infrastructure projects was assessed, including the Jaldhara Beautification and Rejuvenation Project, the development of Atal Park, the construction of a world-class shooting range, and other ongoing development initiatives.

The Chief Executive Officer directed officials to ensure regular monitoring of all projects and the timely completion of works while maintaining the highest quality standards. He stated that the PMDA remains committed to providing high-quality civic amenities through the integrated development of urban infrastructure, proactive governance, effective project oversight, and improved urban planning. He added that these efforts are aimed at enhancing the quality of life for citizens and promoting sustainable urban growth.