Chandigarh, March 1

Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal, has urged all national and state-recognized political parties in the state to nominate their Booth Level Agents (BLA) and ensure that the list is submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer’s office for record-keeping.

            Sh. Pankaj Agarwal said this while presiding over a meeting with representatives of political parties on Saturday . He said that the Election Commission of India has recently directed all Chief Electoral Officers of states and union territories to ensure the appointment of booth-level agents by political parties for each polling station and to maintain a proper record of these appointments.

            He said that Haryana has six national-level and two state-recognized political parties. All these parties must appoint Booth Level Agents 1 and 2. The BLA is an authorized person who collects election-related materials from the Election Commission on behalf of their respective party.

            Sh. Pankaj Agarwal further said that BLAs provide essential voter-related information to Booth Level Officers (BLOs), which plays a key role in preparing an error-free voter list. He recalled that in 2008, the Election Commission recommended the appointment of Booth Level Agents, but most political parties have not taken this responsibility seriously. He further directed that all political parties must submit details of their BLAs to the Chief Electoral Officer’s office by March 3, 2025. Additionally, political parties should authorize one or two individuals in each district to oversee and continue the process of BLA nomination.

            Sh. Pankaj Agarwal also informed that a two-day workshop for Chief Electoral Officers from all states will be held on March 4 and 5 at the International Institute of Democracy and Election Management in Delhi. The Election Commission has also scheduled a session on BLA appointments, making it imperative to complete this process on time. He assured that in the future, quarterly meetings with political parties will be held, with the next meeting scheduled in 15 days.

          Sh. Pankaj Agarwal stressed  on the importance of using this time effectively to complete all election-related formalities and maintain updated records, including the BLA list.

            Haryana Joint Chief Electoral Officers, Sh. Apurv and Sh. Raj Kumar, along with representatives from various political parties, including Virendra Garg (BJP), Parvinder Singh (INC), HS Sathi (CPI-M), and Dr. Satyavrat Dhankhar (INLD).

Chandigarh, March 1

While adhering to the directions issued by the Director General, Mining and Geology Department, Sh. K. Makrand Pandurang necessary and strict action is being taken continuously regarding illegal mining and mineral transportation in the state. Continuing the same, a joint team formed by the Narnaul district administration caught a tractor-trolley carrying gravel without e-Rawana near village Datal in Nangal Choudhary area on Saturday morning. A fine of about Rs 2.15 lakh has been imposed.

            Sharing more information in this regard a spokesperson of the Mining Department said that a joint team of Mining Department, Police Department, Forest Department and Pollution Control Board was on patrol in Nangal Chaudhary area on Saturday. During this time, a tractor-trolley was going towards Rajasthan on Nangal Chaudhary to Behror Road. The team caught it on the spot and checked the documents. During this, it was found that it was transporting gravel without e-Rawana. Taking action on this, the team has started the process of imposing a fine of Rs 2.15 lakh.

            The spokesperson further shared that this team is continuously patrolling day and night in various areas of the district. The team is continuously taking effective action on cases of illegal mining or illegal transportation of minerals.

Chandigarh, February 02- Haryana Mines and Geology Minister, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar has refuted Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala’s claim that illegal mining is happening in 14 districts of the state with government support. He said these allegations are baseless. Congress leaders only spread falsehoods to mislead people. 

            Sh. Panwar stated that this is not the first time such baseless allegations have been made to damage the government’s image. He personally visited Pichopa Kalan in Charkhi Dadri and found no evidence of illegal mining there. 

            He said that some districts mentioned by Randeep Surjewala, like Kaithal, do not have any significant mines or minor minerals. Even in these areas, authorities are making continuous efforts to prevent illegal mining. 

*Over 13,000 vehicles checked since January, 575 vehicles seized*

            The Minister further said the department has already issued detailed instructions to the Deputy Commissioners regarding  formulating a three-tier network including Naka/Police checkposts, flying squads to curb illegal mining. For example, 16 Police checkposts have already been set up in Yamunanagar. 

            Since January 2025, 13,282 vehicles have been checked, and 575 vehicles carrying mining material illegally or without e-Rawaana have been seized. Besides this, Deputy Commissioners have been directed to keep a strict watch, take immediate action against illegal mining and strengthen police checkpoints to curb such activities effectively. To further strengthen monitoring, the department has replaced the old e-Rawana system with the HMGIS portal developed by NIC, which fixes previous loopholes. The new system is now integrated with CCTV cameras and weighing scales to curb illegal mining.

*Task Forces actively working to prevent illegal mining*

            Sh. Panwar said that strict actions are being taken against culprits, and the government is fully committed to stopping illegal mining. District-Level Task Forces (DLTF) and State-Level Task Forces (SLTF) have been set up to monitor illegal mining and the transportation of illegally mined minerals. DLTF teams have already been deployed and directed to conduct special investigation campaigns, focusing on mines, stone crushers, and screening plants set up near rivers. 

            Mines and Geology Minister, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar said that the state government has constituted Haryana State Enforcement Bureau (HSENB) to curb illegal mining, and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been finalized to ensure coordination between HSENB and other departments. He said law enforcement is being encouraged  with the help of HSENB police and by involving local communities through gram panchayats. Besides this, the department has assigned Drone Imaging and Information Services Haryana Limited to conduct drone surveys of all active mining sites in the state. 

            A high-resolution satellite imagery report from HARSAC has been requested to monitor land surface changes in the Nuh, showcasing the state government’s commitment to stopping illegal mining.

Chandigarh, March 1

A facilitation programme, “Saluting Valor” was organised today at the CISF Unit Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh, to honor and commemorate the significant contributions of retired CISF personnel to national security. The program commenced with the traditional lighting of a lamp, followed by a welcome address. 

Senior Commandant, CISF Unit Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh, Sh. Yogesh Prakash Singh presented each guest with a plant and shawl as a token of honor for their glorious service. He said that this event initiates a week-long series of activities leading up to the 56th CISF Raising Day on 10 March. This gesture underscored the CISF’s commitment to the well-being of its retired members. During the event, Sh. Yogesh Prakash Singh highlighted various CISF initiatives aimed at supporting retired personnel, including the “Pension Corner” app and the E-Service Book. 

He further said that the “Saluting Valor” programme demonstrated the CISF’s dedication to recognizing the service of its retired personnel and ensuring their continued welfare. Sh. Yogesh Prakash Singh also mentioned that CISF is always standing with its veterans. A representative from CGHS Chandigarh also provided detailed information on the benefits and application procedures for the CGHS card for retired personnel. 

On this occasion a Cultural programme was presented by the personnel of CISF Unit Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh. CISF veterans shared their experiences with unit personnel during motivational talk. 

CHANDIGARH, February 25:

          In a bid to protect the youth aspiring to settle abroad from falling prey to illegal travel agents as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police conducted raids and carried out search operations at as many as 1274 immigration firms across the state.

          The massive operation against illegal travel agents was carried out on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all the 28 Police districts from 11 am till late evening on Monday. The development came amidst the ongoing crackdown against illegal travel agents across the state in wake of the deportation of Indians from USA.

          Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who was personally monitoring this daylong state-level operation, said that police teams have registered at least 24 first information reports (FIRs) against defaulter travel agents and arrested seven of them.

          He said that all the CPs/SSPs were asked to constitute special police teams under the supervision of gazetted officers to carry out searches at all the immigration and travel agent firms in their respective jurisdictions.

          “All the CPs/SSPs were directed to ensure strict action against those travel agents, who were found violating the mandatory provisions and procedures of the Punjab Travel Professionals’ Regulation Act, 2012 or defrauded innocent people with false promises of facilitating illegal entry into foreign countries,” said the Special DGP.

          As per the provisions of The Punjab Travel Professionals’ Regulation Act 2012, all the travel agents are mandated to obtain a license from the Deputy Commissioner’s office, which is valid for five years and renewable for subsequent five-year periods. Licensed agents are also required to display their license prominently, maintain records of clients and services, and inform authorities prior to advertising or holding seminars. Additionally, agents are prohibited from engaging in activities beyond their licensed services, including human smuggling or unauthorised emigration assistance. Non-compliance can result in suspension or cancellation of the license and legal action.

          Special DGP Arpit Shukla said that the DGP Punjab has constituted a four member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by ADGP NRI Affairs Praveen Sinha to investigate complaints from deportees if any and take necessary action as per law.

 He exhorted citizens to be cautious and verify travel agents’ credentials before entrusting them with documents and money. “Only engage agencies with a valid license issued by the Deputy Commissioner under the Punjab Travel Professionals’ Regulation Act, 2012,” he advised.