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Chandigarh

Grand inauguration of IGM-2022, as Chief Minister opens Saras Mela amidst chanting of mantras

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IEP Chandigarh, November 19

 The International Gita Mahotsav (IGM)-2022 took off to a grand start today after Haryana Chief Minister inaugurated Saras Mela in Kurukshetra.  

Addressing devotees the chief minister said that it was a historic occasion for the entire Haryana and the people who have come here to attend this grand festival.  Never before  has such a wonderful and grand opening of the Saras Mela taken place.

The chief minister later also met the artists and craftsmen amidst a wonderful confluence of dhol-nagadas, craftsmen and artists. He congratulated and extended best wishes to the people involved in the organising of this event.

Thereafter, the Chief Minister offered flowers on the replica of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita placed there and inaugurated the IGM-2022 by lighting the traditional lamp.  

“Thousands of years ago, on the land of Kurukshetra, Lord Shri Krishna delivered an immortal message for humanity which is enshrined the holy Bhagavad Gita. The message and teachings preached by Lord Krishna still hold the same relevance as they did then. The message of Gita will be remembered for ages,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.  

The Chief Minister said that celebrations of IGM-2022 are not limited to Kurukshetra only but this holy grand festival of Gita has been successfully celebrated at the international level also.  Today it again this holy festival has begun with the inauguration of Saras Mela.

Devotees from all spheres to attend IGM-2022

The Chief Minister said that devotees from all over the country and abroad will attend IGM-2022. It is expected that in the post- COVID-19 pandemic times, devotees will be reaching in large numbers. 

Along with this, artists, craftsmen, artisans and self-help groups from different provinces have reached the IGM-2022 to display their skills and products.

The Chief Minister said that this time a separate stall has been set up for the handicraft makers of Haryana, which has become a centre of attraction for foreign tourists.  Such initiatives certainly provide employment to the local people along with giving a golden opportunity for the tourists to become familiar with Haryana’s culture.  Foreign tourists from 25 countries are expected to visit the IGM-2022. 

Passengers of Haryana Roadways to pay 50 percent fare only

The chief minister said that the passengers from 10 districts, travelling to IGM-2022 will get a 50 per cent concession in state transport buses from November 19 to December 6. People coming from  Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Jind, Kaithal, Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Sonipat and Rohtak districts have been provided concession in bus fare on reaching Kurukshetra, he informed. 

President to  inaugurate IGM-2022 on November 29

The Chief Minister said that the main programme of IGM-2022  will formally begin on November 29 after the inauguration by the President of India, Smt.  Droupadi Murmu. 

He said that the President will be inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of many projects of the state. The IGM-2022  will continue till December 4, while the Saras Mela will end on December 6.

More than 600 shops set up in Saras Mela

The Chief Minister said that IGM-2022 is giving a glimpse of Saras Mela. More than 600 shops have been set up here.  In these, shops displaying the creativity of  250 artisans, members of more than 100 self-help groups and others have been set up.  

The extraordinary skills of craftsmen from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to Assam can be seen in this Mela. IGM-2022 will certainly give us a  glimpse of Mini India, added Sh. Manohar Lal. 

MLA Thanesar,  Sh. Subhash Sudha, Member Secretary,  Kurukshetra Development Board, Sh. Vijay Singh Dahiya, Honorary Secretary, Kurukshetra Development Board, Sh. Madan Mohan Chhabra, other senior officers and dignitaries also remained present.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana government has made significant progress in making IT as a part of governance- Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal

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IEP Chandigarh, November 19

 A seminar on ‘Cyber-Security, Drones and Haryana IT Scenario’ was organized by ‘Haryana IAS Officers’ Association’ here today. Speaking on the occasion, Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal said that the state government has made significant progress in the field of information technology, but the IAS officers need to upgrade their skills in this field from time to time. Appreciating the working style of the officers, he said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi himself has described the IAS officers of the country as hardworking and said that these people are strong pillars of unity and integrity of the nation.

In the seminar, Sh. S.S. Sharma, Director of Operations, Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), discussed in detail the importance of cyber-security in the present times. He said that some anti-social elements are doing cyber-attacks on the service and security of our country, about which everyone needs to be aware and cautious. He stated that today most of the cyber-attacks are happening on our defence data which is considered very important and sensitive for the security of the country, hackers are stealing our invaluable information and tampering with it. He also said that cyber-criminals have an eye on the health data of our country.

While discussing the topics of cyber-attacks on personal data and prevention from national and international level, Sh. Sharma said that cyber-security has become a challenge in every department of the country today. He said that 80 percent of the hackers are from the interior of the country only, who hack the data. He has suggested that at least 2-3 skilled employees should be recruited in each department for ensuring cyber-security. Citing various examples of cyber-attacks, he cautioned the officers to be vigilant about the security of the data.

While presenting the presentation on ‘IT Scenario in Haryana’, Haryana’s Additional Chief Secretary, Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Department, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan said that the state government is implementing government services and schemes with the spirit of Antyodaya through the help of information technology. He said that efforts are being made to reach the last person standing in the queue. He discussed the vision of the Haryana government, the need for digital governance along with the IT initiatives taken to implement the schemes with the central government at the earliest, the flagship initiatives of the government, the efforts being made for good governance, the role of the IT department, the importance of the ICT structure. Apart from strengthening, detailed information was given about future plans.

Sh. TL Satyaprakash, CEO of ‘Drone Imaging and Information System of Haryana Limited’ discussed in detail about the works of survey, girdawari and images taken by the Haryana government through drone technology. He informed that through DRIISHYA (Drone Imaging Information Services of Haryana) the state government is using drones to take images of various areas. He informed that now the work is being done with speed and precision on various projects of the state by taking images through drones. He explained in detail about mapping of Khanak-mines, town and country planning, Faridabad, high power tension line of Daulatabad, Karnal during floods and the use of images taken related to heritage site Rakhigarhi and Saraswati River.

At the beginning of the seminar, Secretary of ‘Haryana IAS Officers Association’ and Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister of Haryana and Director General of Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal welcomed the guests and said that this is the third session of the association after Covid-19. He said that through such events where the IAS officers get to meet each other and also exchange thoughts on various important topics.

On this occasion, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar, besides various IAS officers of Haryana Cadre were present.

Chandigarh

Sayyid Nawaf Barghash Said (Member of the Royal Family, Sultanate of Oman) meets Haryana Chief Minister

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IEP Chandigarh, November 19

Sayyid Nawaf Barghash Said (Member of the Royal Family, Sultanate of Oman) today met Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal at his residence, Sant Kabir Kutir.  

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding areas of cooperation between Haryana and the Sultanate of Oman. 

Sh. Manohar Lal also discussed other pivotal issues including the export of Basmati Rice and employment opportunities in the Industry for skilled manpower of the State. Besides this, detailed discussions were also held on increasing investment and trade.

The Chief Minister said that the state government aims to provide employment opportunities to the youth in foreign countries by imparting skill training to them in various fields. 

To achieve this target along with attracting foreign investment and increasing trade in Haryana, Foreign Cooperation Department has been set up in the states, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

Haryana has established the Haryana Export Promotion Council and Haryana Overseas Placement Cell under Foreign Cooperation Department for engagement with Foreign Nations. This department will do export promotion in association with Export Promotion Council and HAFED, shared the Chief Minister.  

The Chief Minister also presented Shrimad Bhagavad Gita to Sayyid Nawaf Barghash Said. 

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V Umashankar, Former Chief Secretary, Sh. Vijai Vardhan, Advisor Foreign Cooperation Department,  Sh. Pawan Chaudhary and Industrialist of Oman, Sh. Monish Behl also remained present on this occasion.

Chandigarh

Speaker Lok Sabha and Chief Minister inaugurates the light and sound show displayed on the Viraat swaroop of Lord Krishna at Jyotisar

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IEP Chandigarh, November 19

 Lok Sabha Speaker, Sh. Om Birla and Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal inaugurated a light and sound show at the Virat Swaroop of Lord Krishna at Jyotisar, the birthplace of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita.The Lok Sabha Speaker was left mesmerized on seeing this wonderful sight.  He appreciated this step taken by Haryana government to promote spirituality through this Virat Swaroop. He said that this is a good initiative of the Haryana government to develop historical places as pilgrimage sites. In the same way these places can be developed as major pilgrimage sites. He congratulated Haryana Chief Minister for this commendable work.On this occasion, Sh.  Manohar Lal welcomed and felicitated Lok Sabha Speaker on his arrival at the holy Jyotisar pilgrimage.He said that it is a matter of good fortune for him that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha himself has arrived to inaugurate this magnificent  light and sound show at Jyotisar Tirth.The Chief Minister said that a Viraat Swaroop of Lord Shri Krishna has been installed at Jyotisar Tirth at a cost of more than Rs 10 crore. A 3-D projection mapping light show has been started at this venue. Meanwhile, the state-of-the-art technology has been used to present this 24-minute show. 30,000 lumens projector, laser technology, lights and latest sound system have been used in this.  With this latest technology devotees can have a wonderful darshan of Lord Shri Krishna’s Virat Swaroop. Along with this, beautiful fire technology system has also been used, which makes this light and sound show even more spectacular.The Chief Minister said that soon the time of this light and sound show will be fixed for the general public.6 museums being built in JyotisarThe Chief Minister said that 6 museums will be built at Jyotisar. Episodes related to Mahabharata, Shrimad Bhagavad  Gita, Kurukshetra and 48 Kos will be shown virtually in these museums.  For this, state-of-the-art technology like Augmented Reality, Holographic Image, Robotic and Drone etc. will be used. These stories and episodes will be changed after a fixed time so that once anyone has seen it and comes back again, he will get to see new episodes.On this occasion, Tourism Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal, MP Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, MP, Sh. Rattan Lal Kataria, MLA, Sh. Subhash Sudha, Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, Sant Murari Bapu and other senior officials remained present.

Chandigarh

Discourses of saints from Gita Sthali Kurukshetra are an invaluable asset for the entire humanity, Manohar Lal

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IEP Chandigarh November 19

 Lok Sabha Speaker, Sh. Om Birla said that the message of the holy books,  Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita from the holy land of Kurukshetra will reverberate across the world.

“This message of Humanity and Communal love and brotherhood will also serve to show the spiritual culture of India. This wonderful confluence has been seen in Sri Ram Katha recited by  Saint Morari Bapu at the International Gita Mahotsav (IGM)-2022. The entire society will also get positive energy from this and will certainly be inspired,” said Sh. Birla.

The Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said this the discourses of saints like Saint Morari Bapu at Gita Sthali Kurukshetra are like a blessing for the entire humanity.

The  Lok Sabha Speaker and Chief Minister shared these views while speaking at the inauguration of the nine-day Shri Ram Katha organized by Geeta Gian Sansthanam at the IGM-2022 in the late evening on Saturday.

Sh. Birla said that the message of India’s spiritual culture has been reaching across the world from Kurukshetra, the land of sages.

Reciting Shri Ram Katha in this spiritual land of Kurukshetra is a wonderful and historical moment, he added.

The Chief Minister said that it is a fortunate day for the entire Haryana that Shri Ram Katha is being recited on the auspicious occasion of IGM-2022.

On the one hand, grand programmes are being organized regarding the teachings of the holy book Gita, while on the other hand Shri Ram Katha will be recited by Saint Morari Bapu and the essence of the life of Maryada Purushottam Lord Shri Ram will reach the entire society.

“We should imbibe the teachings of saints in life.  Through this story, people will also get inspiration to discharge their duty towards humanity, added Sh. Manohar Lal.

Appealing to the people of the society, the Chief Minister said that the young generation is moving towards drugs. That’s why every citizen of society should come together to fight this social evil.

Geeta Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, MP,  Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, MLA, Sh. Subhash Sudha, Political Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Krishan Kumar, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Sh. Bharat Bhushan Bharti also remained present during the  Shri Ram Katha.

Chandigarh

Transport Minister asked officials, favouritism in bus time-table should not be tolerated

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Says, Mann Government committed to provide a level playing field to all eligible bus operators

Chandigarh, November 19:

Taking note of the reports of favouritism in making bus timetable, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar asked the officials of the transport department that favouritism in making bus time-table should not be tolerated at any cost.

Asking Secretary Transport to constitute a committee to look into the matter, the Transport Minister said, all the matters related to making the bus time-table will be re-examined. He said that if any favoritism is found for, big bus operators or big politicians operating buses in issuing time-table, strict action should be taken against the concerned officials and employees as per the law immediately.

The Cabinet Minister said, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government has vowed to eradicate corruption and bus mafia in Punjab. Therefore, erring officials favoring big bus operators and big political families plying buses instead of not giving space to the deserving and eligible small bus operators in the bus time-table, will not be tolerated at any cost and should be strictly dealt with.

Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar informed that he received reports of favouritism in recently issued bus time-tables. He also reprimanded the concerned officials to desist from such activities, saying that any officer or employee found guilty in this case will not be spared.

Chandigarh

Fusion between Medicine and Technology is the way forward; Director AIIMS, New Delhi

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IEP Chandigarh

PGIMER’s 9th Annual Research Day, the big ticket medical research showcase, concluded on a highly successful note with over 500 research papers on display and 37 researchers winning awards in the surgical, medical, and basic sciences fields for ‘Research publications’ and 9 researchers in the ‘Innovations’category for their exemplary and credible research work conducted here at PGIMER in the last three years.

The Annual Research Day had the august presence of esteemed Prof M Srinivas, Director of the AIIMS,New Delhi as the Chief Guest. Ms. Tamar Ghosh, CEO of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London; and Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of the IIT, Ropar graced as the Guests of Honour at an impressive function organised to mark the 9th Annual Research Day at Bhargava Auditorium here at PGIMER today.

Prof M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS,New Delhi while addressing the audience as the Chief Guest highlighted, “The fusion between medicine and technology is the way forward as we in India are focusing on ‘Make in India’ campaign. These endeavours towards research are a step forward towards collaboration, towards bringing in fusion between medical and engineering, which is commendable as we haven’t seen these initiatives much in India.”

Complimenting PGIMER for being visionary in making efforts towards collaborations, Prof. M. Srinivas stated, “The kind of research that is on display, with less resources, without scientists and despite the huge workload is appreciable. It’s a great thing that the past and present luminaries have brought this institute to this level of clinical and research experience and the quality and the standards is clearly visible in the outcome of the research.”

Speaking on Grant opportunities from Royal Society ofTropical Medicine, Ms. Tamar Ghosh, CEO of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London,who graced the occasion as Guest of Honour detailed about the initiatives of the organisation as she stated, “We help building the careers of our members by funding them, by showcasing them, by publishing their work, by giving them platforms to learn new skills by introducing them to new networks, and individuals around the world.”

Ms Tamar Ghosh encouraged the young researchers to apply for funding with her organisation,“Whether the research project be in a lab, a field-based project with communities or policy-based project, whatever it is, it doesn’t matter what disease area, it’s in the area of health. The point is we want to stimulate the new leaders and the new innovators by taking that first plunge doing their first projects.”

Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director IIT, Ropar, present as Guest of Honour, emphasised research as the mother of innovation as he said, “You cannot be an innovative country until your research is very strong. The most innovative countries in the world are small Nordic countries which are in the top 10 in innovation. However, in India, we are below 40. Though we have made a lot of progress, there is still a long way to go.”

Highlighting ‘collaborative efforts’ as the precursor for research, Director IIT, Roparspoke on the upcoming hub for medical innovations in IIT Ropar and the MoU signed between PGIMER, Chandigarh and IIT, Ropar.

Earlier, while welcoming the dignitaries, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER cited India as the pioneer in research and highlighted the rich research and scientific heritage of PGIMER.Expressing gratification to see such an overwhelming response to the 9th Annual research Day, the Director PGIMER said, “Some of the series were absolutely outstanding outstandingly displayed, outstandingly discussed and presented in our interview and have been published in outstanding impact journals.” 

The Director PGIMER highlighted, “Commitment to me comes before equipment. In today’s time and age, equipment is important, but commitment is still more important than it.”

The event concluded with the award ceremony wherein 37 researchers won awards in the surgical, medical, and basic sciences fields for ‘Research publications’ and 9 researchers in the ‘Innovations’ category  The awards were based on the H Index which measures both the productivity and citation impact of the publications.

The winners include Dr Rakesh Sehgal (Medical Parasitology), Dr Joseph L Mathew (Pediatric Pulmonology), Dr Usha Dutta (Gastroenterology), Dr Suchet Sachdev (Transfusion Medicine), Dr Tulika Gupta (Anatomy), Dr Maryada Sharma (ENT), Dr Karthigeyan M (Neurosurgery), Dr Sunil Kumar Bijarania (Anesthesia) and Ms. Gunjan Goyal (Medical Parasitology) received awards for their innovations. The three best published research papers each in category of Assistant Professor (Medicine- Rimesh Pal, Valliappan Muthu, Arka De; Surgery- Shipra Gupta, Venkata Ganesh, Aakriti Gupta; Basic sciences- Kamal Kishore, Manju Dhandapani, Rakesh Yadav), Associate Professor (Medicine- Vishal Sharma, Ashu Rastogi, Krishan Kumar; Surgery- Nitika Goel, Manjul Tripathi, Aditya Prakash Sharma; Basic sciences- Amol Patil, Ashish Kakkar, Parikshaa Gupta) Additional Professor (Jaya Shukla), and Professor (Medicine- Ritesh Agarwal, Ravindra Khaiwal, Shankar Prinja; Surgery- Vishali Gupta, Shalini Gainder, Praveen Salunke; Basic sciences- Bikash Medhi, Anup Ghosh, Shalmoli Bhattacharya) received awards in this ceremony.

Naveen M, ChandrimaNaskar received awards in the resident’s category; Shweta and Subodh Kumar in the Pool officer category/post-doctoral fellow category, Manisha Prajapat and Nishant Shekhar in PhD category, while Sinu Jose, Gunjan Goyal, and Geetanjali Kalyan received awards in the miscellaneous category.  

The event was aptly wrapped by Prof. Rakesh Sehgal, Dean (Academics) &Head ,Deptt. of Medical Parasitology, PGIMERby proposing a vote of thanks. 

Chandigarh, Haryana

Wherever crops were affected due to water-logging, those farmers will be paid Rs. 15,000 per acre as per the policy of Haryana Government.

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IEP Chandigarh, November 18

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala said that wherever the crops were affected due to water-logging, those farmers will be paid Rs. 15,000 per acre as per the policy of the Haryana Government.He said this while addressing a meeting in Jhajjar today.The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Government has ensured fifty percent women representatives in the recently concluded panchayat elections. Due to the policies of the government, a large number of educated representatives have been elected, which will give a new impetus to rural development.Along with him, Minister of State for Labour and Employment (Independent Charge), Sh. Anoop Dhanak was also present.Referring to the Haryana Government’s Gram Darshan portal, the Deputy Chief Minister said that demand related to the development of the village can be sent on this portal, further action will be taken automatically. Similarly, all the panchayats should send their demands regarding opening of the digital library in the villages. With the opening of a digital library in the village, a positive environment will be created towards education and youth will be helped in competitive examinations. Meanwhile, the newly elected Panch-Sarpanchs from several villages of the district met the Deputy Chief Minister.In response to a question asked by media persons, Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala, said a report has been sought regarding purchase of paddy from DCs in all the districts. Reports of 9 districts have come and the numbers received from the transport provider agencies through Vahan portal are being scrutinised. Similarly, farmers will be paid as per the Land Acquisition Act for the land acquired for the Orbit Rail Corridor. On the question of development of roads in the area, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Rs. 25 crore has been sanctioned for each assembly constituency. After this, the Deputy Chief Minister also heard the grievances of the people and gave directions to the officers to resolve them.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Strict action will be taken on complaints received on fake/forged educational certificates of newly elected Panch-Sarpanchs- Sh. Dhanpat Singh

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IEP Chandigarh, November 18

Haryana State Election Commissioner, Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that the commission has received few complaints regarding forged/fake educational certificates of newly elected Panchs and Sarpanchs. This is in regards to the panchs and sarpanchs elected during the General Elections 2022 of Panchayati Raj Institutions conducted by the State Election Commission in 18 districts.The State Election Commission has directed all the District Deputy Commissioners and District Election Officers (Panchayat) to take necessary action in this regard.Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that the information about the complaints received by the Commission has been sent to the concerned Deputy Commissioners of all 18 districts except Faridabad, Fatehabad, Hisar and Palwal where elections are yet to be held and they have been directed to investigate them in the district.He further said that the investigation will be carried out by any working IAS / HCS officer. If any panch or sarpanch is found ineligible after investigation, then action should be taken against him under sub-section (3) of section 51 of the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act, 1994. According to this provision Sarpanch or Panch can be suspended or removed. Before taking this action, the Deputy Commissioner will have to give an opportunity of hearing to such Panchs/Sarpanchs.In the letter issued by the Commission, Sh. Dhanpat Singh has directed the Deputy Commissioners to inform the State Election Commission about the action taken on such matters.Any person who has any complaint in this regard should directly send it to the Deputy Commissioner of his concerned district.

Chandigarh, Haryana

NCB’s Deputy Director General of Northern and Western Regions express satisfaction over Haryana’s action plan

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IEP Chandigarh, November 18

Determined about rooting out drugs in the state and personally taking command of it, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal presided over the third meeting of the State Level Committee of Narco Coordination Center (NCORD) today and directed the officials that not only the police but all the concerned departments would have to work together to eradicate the menace of drugs. Home and Health Minister Sh. Anil Vij was also present in the meeting.

Sh. Manohar Lal said that the drugs have not only become an interstate menace but also an international problem. “Many types of financial transactions are linked to drug cases. Beside strict police action on drug smugglers by putting them behind the bars, their properties will also have to be seized. In Haryana, the properties of smugglers have been demolished at many places recently,” he added.

Haryana government taking stern steps for de-addiction

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah is working vigorously to make India drug free and the Haryana government is also taking stern steps in this regard. He said that drug smuggling also poses a threat to national security and for this all the departments will have to coordinate and run awareness campaigns as well as strict action have to be taken against the culprits.

Mapping of de-addiction centers should be done in the state

While giving directions, the Chief Minister said that from time to time, the government receives information about intoxicants made available at the de-addiction centers and thus to keep a close vigil on this; all the drug de-addiction centers in the state, whether government or those being run through non-governmental organizations, should be mapped and the data of the patients who came here for treatment should be analysed by conducting a survey by December 31.

Appeal to citizens – ‘Apprehend drug addicts, Get rid of drugs’

Sh. Manohar Lal said that the slogan of the Haryana government is “Tu Nischay toh kar, Nasha Pakadwao, Nasha Chhutwao” (Make up your mind, apprehend the drug addicts, get rid of the drugs) and for this, anti-drug helpline number – 9050891508 has also been issued. The Chief Minister directed that this number should be publicised at public places as well as on the Haryana Transport buses; so that the common people can be made aware and every citizen can join the campaign of the state government. He also appealed to the citizens to immediately share any information received about drug smuggling or use of drugs to the police; as it is very important to break the chain of demand and supply for the eradication of drugs.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to make the society especially the youth aware by running a special awareness campaign on the drugs menace and diseases caused by it and its adverse effects in the society. Not only this, the students in schools, colleges and universities should be administered an e-pledge against the drugs.

Along with police, health department will also have to be stern: Sh. Anil Vij

Home and Health Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that along with the police, the health department will also have to be strict and at the time of post-mortem, if the cause of death is found to be drug overdose; it will have to be confirmed and for this, the opinion of a medico-legal consultant should also be taken.

He said that the problems being faced at the de-addiction, rehabilitation and counselling centers being run on the basis of pilot project in Sonipat; should be resolved and ensure that such problems do not arise in the six centers being set up at the divisional level. Also, suggestions should be taken from the representatives of the Medical Association.

Chief Secretary. Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal informed the Chief Minister that instructions have been issued to inspect de-addiction centers and duties have been imposed on all the sub-divisional officers (civil) to inspect de-addiction centers in their respective districts. They have also been directed to take stock of the facilities being provided along with its functioning and submit the action taken report to the headquarters.

Haryana ensured better implementation of schemes at grassroots level

During the meeting, Sh. Gyaneshwar Singh, Deputy Director General, NCB, Delhi appreciated the efforts being made by Haryana for drug prevention. He said that Haryana has ensured better implementation of schemes at the grassroots level by including most of the parameters in its action plan. He also recommended the Home Department to submit an action plan soon to enhance the forensic capacity of the state.

Mission teams being prepared from village-ward to state level, 45,000 citizens also part of the teams

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau, Sh. Shrikant Jadhav informed that according to the state action plan, mission teams are being prepared from village-ward to the state level for drug prevention. The main objective of these teams is to trace drug addicts, enter their data in the mobile application, counselling such people and making various efforts for their rehabilitation and spreading awareness.

He informed that out of 7,590 village teams, 2,584 teams have been formed so far. Similarly, 635 teams have been formed at ward level, 190 teams at primary health centers and 44 teams at subdivision level. Apart from this, a separate team will be formed in each district for instructions and monitoring. A total of 10 people have been added to each team. Out of about 95,000 people, 45,000 are common citizens.

He further said that last year 84 deaths were registered due to overdose of drugs, out of which most of the deaths were of youth in the age group of 18 to 35 years. He informed that the ‘Sathi’ mobile app will be launched soon by the bureau.

Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. D.S. Dhesi, Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department, Sh. TVSN Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary of Finance Department, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Director General of Police, Sh. P.K Aggarwal, Director General Prisons, Sh. Mohammad Akil, ADGP CID Sh. Alok Mittal, Director of Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sh. R.S Dhillon and officials of other concerned departments were present.