CHIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE, PUNJAB

Take Pledge for Preservation of Water and Environment: CM Gives Clarion Call to People

Participates in Function to Commemorate 25th Anniversary of Cleaning of Holy Kali Bein

Lists Several Pro-People Initiatives of the State Government

Lauds Baba Seechewal for vehemently raising the issue of water conservation in Parliament

Sultanpur Lodhi (Kapurthala), July 16:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday called upon the people to take a pledge to curb the depletion of groundwater and control environmental pollution.

Addressing a gathering during an event to mark the 25th anniversary of the cleaning of the holy Kali Bein, the Chief Minister said that although Punjab is known as the land of rivers, the state is currently facing a severe water crisis, making water conservation a major challenge. He highlighted that since assuming office, his government has revived 15,947 water channels across the state, enabling water to reach even the remotest villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that at the time he took charge, only 21% of canal water was being utilized for irrigation in Punjab.

However, the Chief Minister proudly shared that today, 63% of the canal water is being used for irrigation. He urged people to come forward and support the state government in transforming the campaign for water and environmental conservation into a mass movement. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized the need for active public participation and full cooperation in this noble cause.

Quoting from Gurbani, the Chief Minister said, “Pavan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat”, which explains how our revered Gurus equated air (pavan) with the teacher, water (paani) with the father, and land (dharat) with the mother. Sadly, he remarked, we have failed to honor the teachings of the Gurus by polluting all three. Bhagwant Singh Mann stressed that the time has come to sincerely imbibe the essence of Gurbani to restore Punjab’s ecological and spiritual glory.

The Chief Minister expressed his fortune at having had the opportunity to pay obeisance at the sacred land graced by the footprints of the First Sikh Master, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He reminded the gathering that it was here that Guru Sahib first recited the Mool Mantar, giving it to all humanity. Guru Sahib spent nearly 14 years in this holy town, and it was a moment of great pride for me to participate in the 25th-anniversary celebration of the Kar Sewa (voluntary service) of the holy Kali Bein, added Bhagwant Singh Mann.

The Chief Minister said that the monumental effort to clean the 165-kilometer-long Kali Bein is recorded in golden letters in history. He said that this exemplary initiative has sent a powerful message to the world about the importance of preserving air and water. Bhagwant Singh Mann lauded Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal for beginning the Kar Sewa on July 16, 2000, at Gurdwara Shri Ber Sahib with an Ardaas (prayer).

The Chief Minister said it is a matter of pride that in 2022, Sant Seechewal Ji was nominated as a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab and continues to serve the people. He said that Baba Ji has been a relentless voice in Parliament advocating for the protection of water bodies. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that tireless efforts of the state government and Baba ji are now focused on the cleaning of Buddha Dariya (formerly Buddha Nallah) adding he expressed hope that it will soon be restored to its pristine form.

The Chief Minister added that the Punjab Government is working on all fronts to protect the state’s water resources. He said that Development projects worth crores of rupees are currently underway to ensure the holistic development of Sultanpur Lodhi, the holy city associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured that these projects would soon be completed.

The Chief Minister emphasized that commemorating the anniversary of the restoration of Kali Bein is not merely a symbolic or ceremonial event. Rather, he said that it is intended to raise public awareness about environmental conservation to ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations. Bhagwant Singh Mann underlined that safeguarding the invaluable gifts of nature is a collective responsibility and urged everyone present to actively participate in a people’s movement for environmental protection.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to curbing sacrilege, the Chief Minister shared that on Monday, the government introduced the Punjab Prevention of Crime Against Religious Scriptures Bill, 2025 in the Vidhan Sabha. He said this sensitive and critical issue affects all Punjabis and has far-reaching implications for both current and future generations. Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that stringent punishment is necessary to serve as a deterrent for those committing such heinous crimes.

The Chief Minister noted that Punjab is the sacred land of great Gurus, saints, and seers who preached love, harmony, and tolerance. However, he lamented that certain anti-Punjab forces have been trying to destroy this fabric of unity by orchestrating sacrilegious acts against holy scriptures since 2016. Bhagwant Singh Mann reaffirmed his government’s unwavering resolve to ensure exemplary punishment for the culprits involved in such acts.

Highlighting key public welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister spoke about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna — the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment worth ₹10 lakh to every resident family of Punjab. He proudly noted that Punjab has become the first state in India to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage to every household. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it will provide a huge relief to the general public by offering them quality healthcare services.

Addressing the issue of drug abuse, the Chief Minister said that the drug menace had long tarnished Punjab’s image. To counter this, he said that the state government adopted a multi-pronged approach: disrupting drug supply chains, arresting key offenders, rehabilitating victims, and seizing and destroying properties of drug smugglers. Bhagwant Singh Mann mentioned that the state has launched Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh (War Against Drugs), a campaign aimed at eradicating drugs adding that as part of this, village panchayats are passing resolutions to declare their villages drug-free.

On this occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal welcomed all the dignitaries present.

Chandigarh:

The General Secretary of
All India Congress Committee, former Union Minister, and MP from Sirsa Kumari Selja said that due to the negligence of the Haryana government and officials of the Public Health and Engineering Department, flood-like situations have arisen in almost all cities of the state including Sirsa during the very first monsoon rains. In many areas of the city, water has accumulated up to knee level, causing great hardship to the people. This situation has exposed corruption and negligence in the Amrut Yojana and Smart City projects, and the BJP government’s hollow development model has been washed away by the rains. Roads have developed potholes, colonies have turned into lakes, making daily life extremely difficult for common people.

In a statement released to the media, Kumari Selja said that the rains have revealed the truth about the BJP government’s so-called development works in Haryana. In a city like Sirsa, the government had constructed drainage projects costing approximately Rs. 38.76 crores under the AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme, but the reality is that after the first rain itself, potholes have appeared on roads, colonies have turned into lakes, and the common people’s lives have become difficult. Pipelines in Sirsa city have been laid multiple times, but due to technical faults, poor construction, and bad design, the same waterlogging repeats every year. Despite spending crores of rupees, the Sirsa Municipal Council has not established any permanent drainage system. Similar situations are seen in cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, Karnal, Hisar, Rohtak, and Panipat, where Smart City projects worth crores are only on paper, and conditions on the ground remain unchanged. Will the Chief Minister and Urban Local Bodies Minister explain to the public why independent audits of the work done under AMRUT and Smart City schemes have not been conducted? How many contractors and officials have been held accountable?

Kumari Selja asked if the BJP government would answer why, despite spending huge budgets, the development is not visible on the ground? Why do people face waterlogging, potholes, and traffic jams every time it rains? The people of Haryana want to know for whom the BJP government’s development model is designed for common citizens or for contractors and corrupt systems?
Under the AMRUT project, pipelines worth about Rs. 38.76 crores are being laid. The project includes laying pipelines from Bal Bhavan to Hisar Road, which will further go to Rangoee Nala on Hisar Road. In the second phase, rainwater from Valmiki Chowk via B Block to Anaj Mandi and Dabwali Road will be drained into the Ghaggar river. Kumari Selja said that both projects are incomplete because they have not been connected to the water discharge points. Kumari Selja said that the administration and government only have projects to show the public, but everything on the ground is half done. Despite spending so much money, the municipal council has not been able to free the city from waterlogging.

MP Kumari Selja said that officials of NSAI have never paid attention to cleaning drains on National Highway-9, even though cleaning drains before the rains is essential. Officials have only shown drain cleaning on paper, but nothing has been done in reality. This is why waterlogging occurs on NH-9 during rains. NH-9 passes between villages Odhan and this rain caused two feet of waterlogging on the NH, causing major inconvenience. Vehicle drivers had to take alternate routes to travel to Sirsa and Dabwali. Officials are busy filling papers in their offices, and NH-9 is damaged in many places, but no repairs are being done.

Chandigarh, July 16

Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, has issued a strong public appeal urging citizens not to misuse the State Emblem of India, which is the official seal of the Government of India. She specifically warned against the unauthorized display of the emblem on private vehicles, letterheads, and signboards, highlighting that such acts constitute serious violations of the law and would invite strict penalties.

Dr. Misra stated that the State Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. The use of this emblem is governed by the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 and the (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007, with amendments in 2010. These laws strictly prohibit usage by individuals or organizations not specifically authorized by the Government of India, she added.

Dr. Misra firmly stated that the emblem is not a symbol of personal identity, social status, or influence. It is reserved solely for constitutional authorities and government departments as permitted by law. She emphasized that unauthorized usage is punishable under the 2005 Act and the 2007 Rules, which include provisions for heavy fines and legal proceedings.

Referring to recent instructions from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Dr. Misra said that the Haryana Government has initiated a comprehensive strategy to prevent misuse of the emblem, National symbols, seals and flags. This includes public awareness campaigns to be held in schools, colleges, and law colleges to educate citizens about the emblem’s legal and constitutional significance. Traffic police will undergo special training to identify emblem misuse on vehicles and take immediate punitive action. Furthermore, departments have been instructed to use print, electronic, and digital media to inform the public about legal provisions concerning emblem usage. The government is also working on setting up complaint redressal platforms and helplines to deal swiftly with reports of misuse.

Additionally, the Government is in the process of framing further regulatory measures to curb the misuse of the State Emblem. These proposed steps include the imposition of higher fines, expedited prosecution, and regular inspection drives across public and government spaces, she added.

“The Emblem is a representation of the nation’s constitutional dignity. Misusing it for personal display is not only illegal but also dishonours the values it represents,” Dr. Misra stated. She urged all citizens to act responsibly, remain aware of legal boundaries, and join hands in safeguarding the sanctity of the nation’s official symbols.

Chandigarh: The Haryana Government has brought 3 services of the Secondary Education Department and one service of Industry and Commerce Department under the ambit of Right to Service Act, 2014 and has fixed time limit for them.

According to a notification issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, a time limit of 15 days has been fixed for permission to open a private school on completion of required documents with or without hostel up to class VIII or 10 or 12th and a time limit of 45 days has been fixed for granting recognition to a private school.

Apart from this, No Objection Certificate for affiliation with Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi or other School Education Board apart from Haryana Board of School Education, Bhiwani up to class VIII or 10 or 12th will be issued within 30 days of completion of required documents.

Similarly, a time limit of 40 days has been set for the Startup Registration Scheme under the Department of Industry and Commerce.

Designated officers, First Grievance Redressal Authority and Second Grievance Redressal Authority have also been nominated for these services of both the departments.

Chandigarh, July 16: The Haryana Government has appointed retired IAS officer Sh. Devender Singh as Urban Development Advisor. Along with this, he will also provide overall supervision and guidance to the Metropolitan Development Authority, Sonipat and Hisar

Chandigarh, July 16

The Haryana Human Rights Commission, Chandigarh has taken serious note of a complaint filed by a resident of Village Dhamar, District Rohtak, regarding the absence of a boundary wall around the village graveyard. Despite repeated requests and the availability of funds with the Gram Panchayat, no boundary wall has been constructed so far.

Justice LalitBatra, Chairperson of the Commission, observed that such negligence not only undermines the dignity of the deceased but also reflects insensitivity towards the religious sentiments and beliefs of the villagers. He emphasized that the dignity of the dead must be protected by both society and the administration — a responsibility that does not end with death.

In his order, Justice Batra stated clearly that under Section 21(xviii)(3) of the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, it is a statutory duty of the Gram Panchayat to maintain and safeguard community assets like cremation and burial grounds. The failure to construct a boundary wall, despite the availability of resources, constitutes a serious administrative lapse and a violation of basic human rights.

Dr.PuneetArora, Protocol, Information & Public Relations Officer of the Haryana Human Rights Commission, informed that considering the urgency of the matter, the Commission has sought detailed reports from the Deputy Commissioner, Rohtak; District Development and Panchayat Officer, Rohtak; and Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Block Rohtak. The officers have been asked to explain the delay in constructing the wall and to provide a timeline for the proposed corrective measures.

The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for September 18, 2025. Copies of the Commission’s order have been sent to the complainant, the concerned officials, and the Sarpanch of Village Dhamar via email and post for necessary compliance.

Chandigarh, July 15 – The Haryana Government has decided to honour martyrs and a freedom fighter from the Azad Hind Fauj by naming three government colleges after them. Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has given administrative approval to the naming of three colleges.

Haryana Education Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said that the Government Women’s College in Bawani Khera will be named after the late Thakur Sh. Shambhu Singh, a freedom fighter from the Azad Hind Fauj and the Chief Minister has also approved naming the Government College, Kharak (Bhiwani) after Martyr Gajendra Singh.

Notably, on March 7, 2018, Sh. Gajendra Singh, who served as an Assistant Commandant in the 134 Battalion of the Border Security Force,  was martyred while valiantly fighting Naxals near the Maspur village in the Natala Reserved Forest area of Kanker District, Chhattisgarh.  In recognition of his bravery, he was awarded the Gallantry Medal on January 26, 2021.

Additionally, the Haryana Government has given administrative approval to name the Government College, Sampla (Rohtak) after Martyr Rai Singh, who laid down his life while protecting the nation on the India-Pakistan Line of Control in Rajouri, Jammu, on November 20, 2016.

This initiative by the Haryana Government is a mark of deep respect and honour for the supreme sacrifice made by the martyrs and freedom fighters.

Chandigarh, July 15 – Haryana Forest Minister, Sh. Rao Narbir Singh has directed the officers of the Forest Department to ensure that there is no unnecessary delay in issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for tree felling/ inspection related to public or private projects. He said that any objections raised against such applications should be recorded at once to maintain transparency and prevent repeated inconvenience to the public.

Sh. Rao Narbir Singh was presiding over a review meeting of the Forest Department held at Haryana Niwas, Chandigarh on Tuesday.

Ensure transparency and accountability in tender Process

The Forest Minister also directed officers to simplify and make the tendering process more transparent. He issued directions to the DFOs against monopolizing the work allocation under tenders and asserted that prior approval at the ministerial level will be mandatory before any purchase. He also proposed studying the tender systems of Delhi and other states to adopt best practices in Haryana.

Quality Saplings in Nurseries, Successful Implementation of ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign

Sh. Rao Narbir Singh directed the department to provide detailed records of all saplings planted since the formation of the state. He highlighted that implementing Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” should be a top priority for the Forest Department. He also directed annual rotation and maturity assessment of saplings in all departmental nurseries to ensure improved plantation outcomes.

Removal of Kabuli Kikar and Ban on Eucalyptus Procurement

The Minister directed that a minimum of 10 percent of Kabuli Kikar trees along roadsides be removed annually and replaced with more suitable species. He stressed that the Forest Department should avoid planting or procuring water-intensive trees like Eucalyptus in the future. However, he said that farmers will not be restricted from planting eucalyptus on private land.

Reconsideration of Pit Digging Rates

Sh. Rao Narbir Singh noted that the current pit digging rate of Rs. 24 per pit is too high and should be revised. He called for greater emphasis on plantation activities under agroforestry, the Green India Mission, and for promoting wood-based industries.

The Minister  directed the officers to bring about a positive change in their working style so that people can clearly perceive improvements in the functioning of the Forest Department.

Additional Chief Secretary, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, field DFOs, and other senior officers also remained present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, July 15 – The Haryana Health Department is accelerating efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, workforce, and services across the state. The department has hired 720 new doctors and is actively working to fill remaining vacancies in hospitals.

This was stated by Health and Family Welfare Minister Arti Singh Rao during a press conference held in Panchkula today. She said 785 medical facilities across the state—including Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Sub-Health Centres, and Civil Hospitals—are slated for upgradation. Of these, administrative approval has already been received for 534 facilities, with the rest under process. Regular coordination meetings with the Public Works Department (PWD) are being held to expedite construction and renovation work.

The minister highlighted the state’s extensive efforts to increase First Referral Units (FRUs), which offer specialized maternal and newborn care. In 2014, Haryana had 41 FRUs, which have now increased to 87. Additional FRUs with specialist services are in the pipeline.

She also spoke about the Ujjwal Drishti Haryana Abhiyan, a first-of-its-kind statewide campaign launched this month to provide free spectacles to school children and vision correction for citizens above 45 years of age. Over 1.4 lakh spectacles have already been distributed simultaneously across 22 district hospitals, 50 sub-divisional hospitals, and 122 community health centres. Eye examinations of nearly 21 lakh students in 14,267 government schools are underway, and approximately 40,000 students identified with visual impairments will receive free eyeglasses.

The minister informed that Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini is set to inaugurate several health infrastructure projects worth approximately ₹2,256 crore across all districts, and lay the foundation stones of additional projects totaling ₹594 crore in the coming month.

She further shared that the number of MBBS seats in Haryana has risen from 700 in 2014 to 2,185 today. With new medical colleges being established in Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri, another 300 MBBS seats will be added by end of this year. The number of PG (MD/MS) seats, which stood at 289 in 2014, has increased to 874. To bolster nursing education, six government nursing colleges are under construction. The Rewari college has already been inaugurated, while construction of the remaining five colleges is over 90% complete.

In the domain of AYUSH, Haryana will establish Shri Krishna Ayush University in FY 2025–26 on 100 acres in Fatehpur village, Kurukshetra. The university will offer 63 BAMS seats, 82 PG seats, and 63 seats for Diploma in Pharmacy. Additionally, Ayush Herbal Parks will be established in Rewari and Jind, and a Government Homeopathic College is proposed in Chandpura village, Ambala. A 25-bed Homeopathic Hospital has already begun functioning in Rampur-Sarsehdi Community Centre to support this initiative.

Responding to a question on sex ratio, the Minister said the numbers have been steadily improving over the past 2–3 years due to strict enforcement. Reverse tracking of suspected illegal  abortions is being carried out, and over-the-counter sales of MTP pills have been banned, contributing to a positive shift in the trend.