Category Archives: Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Haryana

Punjab PR department organises third religious congregation and Guru Ka Langar to mark birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

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Chandigarh, January 15:

Punjab Information and Public Relations Department today organized third religious congregation and Guru Ka Langar dedicated to the birth anniversary of the Tenth Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and for the universal welfare, on the advent of the new year.

During the event, which was held with profound devotion and religious fervour at Gurdwara Sahib, Punjab Civil Secretariat-1 here, Gurdwara Sahib Sector-11’s Granthi Bhai Kashmir Singh recitated path of Sri Sukhmani Sahib. Subsequently, the renowned preacher Bhai Gurmeet Singh Shant performed soul-stirring Gurbani Kirtan in the Basant ragas.

The event was attended by Cabinet Minister and AAP State President Mr. Aman Arora, Lok Sabha Member Mr. Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Chief Minister’s OSD (Media) Mr. Adil Azmi, Financial Commissioner (Revenue) Mr. Anurag Verma, Secretary General Administration Mrs. Gurpreet Kaur Sapra, PUNSUP MD Mrs. Sonali Giri, Director IPR Mr. Vimal Kumar Setia, ADGP (Traffic) Mr. Amardeep Singh Rai, IG (Hqrs) Mr. Sukhchain Singh Gill, Additional Director PR Mr. Sandeep Singh Garha, Chief Minister’s Deputy Principal Secretary Mr. Jagnoor Singh Grewal along with staff from the Information and Public Relations Department and Punjab Civil Secretariat.

Following the spiritual activities, the sangat partook langar. The event saw extensive participation from the journalist community, staff from various departments of Punjab Civil Secretariat-1, Punjab Civil Secretariat-2 and Punjab Legislative Assembly as well as retired DIPR officers. Gurdwara Sahib Shahpur Sector-38, Kamal Sound Dhuri and CISF also paid their contribution in the successful conduct of the event.

Chandigarh

Month-Long Exhibition Celebrating Le Corbusier & Architect SD Sharma Opens at Government Museum and Art Gallery

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Chandigarh, January 15, 2025

A unique exhibition showcasing models of buildings designed by Le Corbusier and the works of Architect SD Sharma opened today at the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10, Chandigarh. Architect SD Sharma, 94, a close collaborator of both Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, is the highlight of this exhibition, which will run until February 12.

This initiative is a collaboration between the Museum and the A3 Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting art, architecture, and aesthetics, founded by Architect Sangeet Sharma. The event also celebrates three key milestones: Architect SD Sharma’s 94th birthday, the A3 Foundation’s 75th event, and the Museum’s 50th anniversary, further enhancing the significance of this partnership.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Brigitte Bouvier, Director of the Foundation Le Corbusier in Paris, along with other dignitaries who travelled to Chandigarh specifically for this occasion. The display chronicles Architect SD Sharma’s illustrious six-decade career across nearly 70 panels. ⁠⁠Many dignitaries like chief architect of UT, ex chief architects of UT , Punjab and Haryana , chairman of IIA and IIID, Manmohan Khanna, along with architectural students from the region were present

Renowned Singaporean architect Rene Tan, along with other prominent architects, attended the event. Tan, the creator of the models, delivered a talk on the importance of documenting Le Corbusier’s work and the process of curating such an exhibit.

A one-day conference was also held, featuring discussions led by Architect Rene Tan, Malaysian Architect Lillian Tay, Architect SD Sharma, and several other Indian architects. The focus was on Chandigarh Modernism and its global influence. Sourabh Gupta, a Delhi based prominent architect, was one of the speakers.

Speaking about his work, Architect SD Sharma stated, “This exhibition is a tribute to architecture and reflects my deep respect and dedication to what I have learned from the masters, Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret. This is my second exhibition after Spain. I hope the current generation of architects and the architectural community can draw inspiration and knowledge from my contributions.”

Highlights of the Exhibition:

Models of Buildings Designed by Le Corbusier:
Over 150 wooden models of Le Corbusier’s buildings have been curated by Singaporean Architect Rene Tan and his firm RT+Q. This traveling exhibition has been displayed in 22 countries and includes nearly 192 meticulously crafted models. For the first time, this internationally acclaimed collection is being showcased at the Museum and Art Gallery of Chandigarh.

Projects and Works by Architect SD Sharma:
The exhibition also includes approximately 70 panels that document Architect SD Sharma’s six-decade career, including ongoing projects from his private practice. This section celebrates Chandigarh Modernism and highlights his enduring influence on the architectural landscape.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Haryana’s youth is falling prey to drugs, drunk on power BJP is deep slumber: Hooda

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Chandigarh, January 11

Expressing concern over the continuous deaths of youth due to drugs, Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said BJP has turned Haryana into a hub of drugs, opium, chitta, heroin, brown sugar, smack, hashish, ganja, cocaine, bhang and sulpha. “Ever since BJP has come to power in the state, drug dealers are fearlessly expanding their empire. Their network has now reached every village, street and locality of the state. From youth to women and young children, everyone is losing their lives to this,” he stated.

Hooda said Haryana was known for its pure food, energetic youth, young men and sportsmen, but BJP has made it ‘Udta Haryana’ in the name of drugs. “A report was presented in the Rajya Sabha in December 2023 by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment itself. According to this, 16.51 percent of the drug addicts in Haryana use opium and its drugs, even heroin and chitta. 11% people use ganja, bhang and hashish for intoxication. 5 percent people also use narcotic drugs taken for sleep and people also use cocaine in large quantities,” he said.

He also said the Union Ministry has also admitted that now the teenagers of Haryana are also getting trapped in the clutches of drugs like cannabis, ganja, hashish, opium, heroine and cocaine. Not only this, a large number of teenagers are also being pushed into the business of drug smuggling.

“The extent to which drug addiction has increased under the protection of the government can be gauged from the fact that in the last 5 years, about 15 lakh people from different districts of the state have reached the OPDs and de-addiction centers of government hospitals. However, this figure can be many times bigger because lakhs of people trapped in the quagmire of drug addiction do not come forward for treatment and ruin their lives,” he added.

Hooda said the connivance of the government, poor law and order along with the increasing unemployment in the state is also a big reason for the increasing drug addiction. “The youth frustrated by unemployment are getting trapped in the clutches of drugs and crime and are ruining their future. The BJP, sitting in power, is constantly making policies which increase unemployment, crime and drug addiction in the state,” he added.

With the government remaining a mute spectator, Hooda has appealed to the parents and the aware people of the state to be vigilant against the increasing drug addiction. “Parents should take special care of their children and youth. They should talk to family members on sensitive issues like drug addiction and make everyone aware of its dangers. They must keep an eye on the activities around you and your children and do not hesitate to raise your voice against it. Congress is committed to fight this issue from the streets to the Vidhan Sabha,” he said.

Chandigarh

Chandigarh Leads the Fight Against Drugs with Innovative Strategies and Community Engagement

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Chandigarh, January 11

Gulab Chand Kataria, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh, participated virtually in the regional conference on “Drug Trafficking and National Security,” chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah. Organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, the conference convened key stakeholders to discuss strategies for combating drug trafficking and its implications for national security.

In his address, the Governor highlighted Chandigarh’s determined efforts in tackling the drug menace. He shared that Chandigarh Police had registered 90 cases under the NDPS Act in 2024, leading to the seizure of 70 kg of narcotics and the arrest of 127 drug peddlers. The establishment of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has further strengthened enforcement, with 16 cases registered and 27 offenders apprehended since its inception. To address challenges such as the theft of seized drugs, a Central Maalkhana has been set up at Police Station 11, ensuring secure storage and timely destruction of confiscated narcotics. Last year, over 26 kg of narcotics and thousands of tablets, bottles, and injections were destroyed, with a new campaign initiated to clear all narcotics seized until December 2024.

The Governor underscored the critical role of special NDPS courts in ensuring swift justice. In 2024, 44 cases were resolved, with convictions achieved in 35 cases. Financial networks supporting the drug trade have also been targeted, resulting in the seizure of properties worth ₹10.5 crore and ₹10 lakh in cash.

Community participation has been a cornerstone of Chandigarh’s strategy. In 2024, over 87,000 individuals were reached through awareness campaigns. The Governor praised innovative initiatives such as Gully Cricket, organized in collaboration with the UT Cricket Association, which engaged youth in constructive activities to deter drug abuse. Awareness efforts have also been focused on educational institutions, slum areas, and other vulnerable communities.

Highlighting initiatives from Punjab Raj Bhavan, the Governor shared details of the “Nasha Mukt Rangla Punjab” campaign, which included a 15 km awareness walk and educational programs involving schools and universities. Looking ahead, he announced plans for an all-religion conference to address the drug menace and a meeting with university Vice Chancellors to develop targeted awareness strategies for educational institutions.

In his concluding remarks, the Governor reaffirmed Chandigarh’s unwavering commitment to achieving a drug-free society. He emphasized the importance of strict enforcement, community-driven initiatives, and collaboration with national efforts. He also commended the leadership of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah in spearheading efforts to combat drug trafficking and secure a safer future for the nation.

During the conference, the Union Home Minister launched the “Drug Disposal Fortnight,” inaugurated the new office complex of the Bhopal Zonal Unit of the NCB, and extended the MANAS-2 helpline to all 36 states and Union Territories.

Rajeev Verma, Chief Secretary, and Shri Surendra Singh Yadav, DGP Chandigarh, along with other officers from the Chandigarh Administration, Police, and CFSL, attended the conference virtually.

Chandigarh, Punjab

High-level meeting of Punjab State Advisory Board Chaired by Dr. Baljit Kaur: Directives issued to ensure accessibility of Government Schemes for Divyang Persons

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Chandigarh, January 11

A high-level meeting of the Punjab State Advisory Board, chaired by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, was held at Punjab Bhawan. The Minister emphasized ensuring that government schemes are accessible to Divyang persons and directed officials to implement these schemes effectively at the grassroots level.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reviewed the status of welfare initiatives and instructed various departments to expedite their implementation. She directed the completion of pending work on 144 government buildings in 10 districts under the SIPDA scheme within the specified time frame. Furthermore, she stressed that all government buildings be made barrier-free within three years and asked the department to prepare a detailed proposal. To monitor progress, the Social Security Department instructed to notify a five-member committee, led by the Deputy Commissioner at the district level.

The Minister also underscored the importance of strictly implementing the provisions of the RPWD Act, 2016, to safeguard reservation benefits for Divyang persons. She directed the submission of a detailed report on benefits provided under these provisions during the next board meeting.

Taking serious note of the pending UDID card applications, Dr. Baljit Kaur directed the Health and Family Welfare Department to clear these applications within a month. She also instructed the department to present a comprehensive proposal in the next board meeting to address challenges faced by Divyang Persons in obtaining UDID cards. Civil Surgeons were directed to organize special camps to address discrepancies in disability percentage and other issues related to UDID cards.

The Sports Department informed

the board about the benefits and incentives provided to disabled athletes under the Punjab Sports Policy 2023, highlighting that Punjab is the first state in the region to offer such special benefits. The Minister directed the department to prioritize resolving grading issues faced by disabled athletes.

To uplift the living standards of Divyang Persons, Dr. Baljit Kaur instructed board members to identify such individuals in collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and support those willing to undergo vocational training. She also directed the Employment Generation and Skill Development Department to organize special camps for this purpose.

Cabinet Minister appealed to all Divyang persons to register at the Special Employment Exchange established at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Ludhiana to avail government schemes for vocational training and employment.

Dr. Baljit Kaur also instructed the Urban Development and Rural Development Departments to prioritize providing agricultural land and housing to persons with disabilities under Section 37 of the RPWD Act and ensure effective dissemination of information regarding these schemes.

She urged officials from various departments to prioritize resolving Divyang Persons and to ensure the appointment of grievance redressal officers as per the notification issued by the Social Security Department. These details should be made available on the respective departmental websites.

Dr. Baljit Kaur also informed the board that last year, a special campaign was launched to identify backlog vacancies for Divyang Persons. So far, 21 departments have sent requisitions to the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board and the Punjab Public Service Commission for filling these positions.

Dr. Baljit Kaur affirmed that the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare of Divyang Persons and is working tirelessly to ensure their well-being.

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM seeks intervention of Amit Shah for setting up special NDPS courts to check drug menace

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Chandigarh, January 11:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday sought kind intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to provide financial assistance to the state government for setting up special NDPS court to check drug menace.

Participating through video conferencing in the regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’, the Chief Minister urged GOI to give one time financial assistance, for 10 years to State to create Special NDPS Courts and recruitment of public prosecutors along with other supporting staff, of Rs 600 crores (@ Rs.60 Cr. Per year). He said that at present there are 35,000 NDPS cases pending for Session trial as on January 01, 2025 adding that at present rate of disposal, on an average a Session Court takes seven years to complete the trial of pending case leaving aside all new added cases. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in coming five years, this average disposal time will increase from seven years (35,000 pending cases) to 11 years (55,000 pending cases).

The Chief Minister said that in order to clear the pendency in the next five years, state needs to create 79 new exclusive NDPS Special Courts in Punjab and to appoint 79 Public Prosecutors along with supporting staff for these NDPS Special Courts adding that for it this financial assistance is solicited. He also requested the Union Home Minister to ensure generous funding from National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse (Chapter 7-A of NDPS Act) for Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Live Monitoring Systems for six Bordering Districts, purchase of equipment for technical surveillance, infrastructure and logistic requirement for 5G Jamming solution for Prisons, de-addiction centers in Jails, AI surveillance systems in Jail, Special Prison for drug traffickers and assistance for anti- drug awareness campaigns in all 28 districts. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state had sought Rs.2829 Crore through 16th Finance Commission which should be approved at the earliest for effective law enforcement and upgrading infrastructure and logistic support of ANTF and Prisons.

Flagging another issue, the Chief Minister said that with the aim to control, reclaim and rejuvenate drug hotspots in Punjab, hiring of counsellors and coordinators for conducting survey and studies regarding impact of CADA amounting to Rs.107 crores was submitted to Government since 2022, but nothing has been allotted till date adding that it should be released at the earliest. He said that the state faced a full scaled insurgency in the late seventies and eighties, and now is fighting a proxy war with Pakistan to thwart drug trafficking carried out by Pakistan supported stage actors. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 552 kms of International Border shared with Pakistan is porous which is marked by fencing gap of around 43 kms and riverine gap of 35 kms adding that this  makes state vulnerable to cross border drug trafficking.

The Chief Minister said that state’s location along the notorious ‘Golden Cresent’ drug route makes it a key transit point for narcotics and other contraband adding that now drug is consumed by the local population at an alarming level. He said that due to Increased vigil and border fencing, drug trafficking is now majorly done through drones and it poses less chances of getting caught due to which it has become a National problem which is being left to Punjab to fight on its own. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that with its meager resources, the State is fighting a herculean task to fight against the drug abuse.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab Police has raised Anti-Narcotics Task Force with 861 officers/officials who are trained to deal with the drug trafficking. He said that Further each District/Commissionerate of the state has established Narcotic Cell to deal with the drug problem and the state Government has also constituted a State Level ‘Punjab Narcotics Prevention Campaign Committee’ under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary, Punjab and District Mission Teams under the District Magistrates at district level to co- ordinate between all the stakeholders for curbing the drug abuse. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that A State level Nodal Officer for ‘Anti-Drug Program’ has also been nominated by the Government and state has also commissioned an Anti-Drug Helpline ‘Safe Punjab’, which gives a platform to the citizens to report any drug trafficking incident or any help required for the treatment of drug addict.

The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that out of the total 1905 complaints received on this helpline, action has been taken in 856 complaints and FIRs in 31 cases have been registered. He said that the state Government has adopted a policy of Enforcement-Deaddiction- Prevention (EDP) to fight this menace of drug abuse and Under this policy, drug laws are strictly implemented, deaddiction services are provided and drug awareness is spread to prevent the youth and citizens from falling into the drug trap. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in the last two and half year the state government has registered around 31,500 cases under NDPS Act in which 43,000 accused have been arrested with 3,000 kg of heroin, 2,600 kg of opium and 4.3 Cr of pharmaceutical drugs.

The Chief Minister said illegally acquired property of drug traffickers worth Rs.449 Crore has been frozen  from the Competent Authority and With its training and capacity building a conviction rate of 82.5% has been achieved by the State, which is highest in the Country. He said that Habitual offenders of drug trafficking have been detained under PITNDPS Act and the State has developed a software ‘Punjab Artificial Intelligence System’ (PAIS 2.0) as an advance tool designed to help Punjab Police in tracking and analyzing crimes. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it has a database of 3,32,976 criminals including more than 1 lakh drug offenders which include features like drug seizures data, voice analysis, and criminal link tracking to better handle cases related to narcotics.

The Chief Minister said that With over 18 million searches conducted and 30,804 active users, PAIS provides real-time insights, helping officers make quick decisions and allocate resources effectively adding that it is a powerful tool in the fight against drug related crimes. He said that Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal office at Chandigarh, Amritsar and Regional Office at Amritsar has been given access of PAIS 2.0. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for deaddiction of drug addicts, free of cost medicines are provided to the addicts in 529 Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 17 OOAT clinic have also been established in the Jails and state government has set up 213 Private as well as Government Deaddiction Centers and 90 Rehabilitation Centers for treatment of drug addicts.

The Chief Minister said that 97,413 addicts were admitted in these  Deaddiction and Rehabilitation Centers whereas around 10 lakh patients have undergone treatment in these centers during 2022-2024. He said that in order to prevent the youth from falling into the trap of drug abuse, Government has launched Buddy Program in all the Private/Government Schools, Colleges & Universities and this program aims to prevent drug abuse among the younger generation, particularly students by providing knowledge, imparting behavioral skills and developing a system for self/group monitoring and support. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Around 29,000 students have been enrolled in this program and 19,523 Village Defense Committees have also been constituted across the State.

The Chief Minister said that drug problem in Punjab is impacting the socio-economic balance, leading to a significant increase in crime, domestic violence and health issues affecting not only the State but Country as a whole. He said that the Narco-Terror drug trade business in Punjab has links with the international cartels who smuggle drugs from Pakistan, Afghanistan and other Countries into the State. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that drug trade in Punjab is believed to be the source of funding of terrorist activities in the State leading to destabilizing National Security.

Batting for A national response to tackle problem of drug, the Chief Minister said that it is necessary to check this problem as it can imbalance the socio-economic structure of the society. He said that Increased and generous central funding is required to support anti-drug initiatives, rehabilitation services, awareness campaigns and law enforcement efforts. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Border Security Force (BSF) deployed on the Pakistan border in Punjab is required to be strengthened.

Raising another issue, the Chief Minister said that In the last five years, 1247 drone sightings have been reported and 417 drones have been recovered which is a minuscule of the total recovery as at present there are only 12 Jamming system operational on 552 kms of International Border. He said that these cater to only 1/5 of the entire border stretch and has 4/5 of the entire border is without Jamming system. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that a huge cache of drugs and arms have been recovered so far adding that this recovery can be far more for which atleast, 50 more advanced technology Jamming Systems are required.

Chandigarh, Punjab

Speaker Sandhwan expresses grief over demise of MLA Gurpreet Gogi

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Chandigarh, January 11

Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan has expressed deep grief over the demise of MLA Gurpreet Gogi.

In a press statement issued today, the Speaker said that 57-year-old Mr. Gurpreet Gogi was elected MLA from Ludhiana West in 2022. The Speaker remembered Gogi’s dedication to his work and said that Mr. Gogi and Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal had a long discussion yesterday regarding re-converting Budha Nallah into Budha Darya.

The Speaker said that as a leader, he will always be remembered for his services to the society especially to the Ludhiana region.

The Speaker prayed before Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to family to bear loss.

Chandigarh, Punjab

CM condoles sad demise of MLA Gogi 

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Ludhiana, January 11:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday mourned the sad and untimely demise of MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi who passed away on Friday night.

In a condolence message, the Chief Minister, who attend the cremation of deceased MLA, described Gogi as a hardworking, dedicated and committed colleague. He said that it was a huge personal loss for him and an irreparable loss for the Aam Aadmi party, as Gogi was a committed foot soldier of the party. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Gogi had worked tirelessly for the well being of people especially of his constituency.

The Chief Minister said that he was saddened to learn about the death of Gogi adding that the deceased leader has left a void in AAP and in hearts of the people. Meanwhile, Bhagwant Singh Mann laid a wreath on the body of Gogi and prayed to the Almighty to give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss and grant eternal peace to the departed soul.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Education system in Haryana to be transformed, Chief Minister holds an important meeting with the officials of the Education Department      

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Chandigarh, January 11: In a bid to establish Haryana as a global education hub, the state government, led by Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, is set to implement radical reforms in the education sector. The Chief Minister has directed officers to ensure that quality education is provided across all schools by maintaining the student-teacher ratio as per the National Education Policy. A comprehensive action plan is currently being developed to address the teacher shortage in schools. As a result, from the upcoming academic session, no school in the state will face a shortage of teachers.

             The Chief Minister was presiding over a meeting with officers of the Elementary Education, School Education, and Higher Education Departments late Friday evening. Education Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda also attended the meeting.

            Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini directed that a comprehensive plan should be prepared by rationalizing the arrangement of teachers in schools so that if there is a shortage of teachers in any school, it can be met. He emphasized that there is no actual shortage of teachers in Haryana, but rather, the allocation of teachers should be adjusted according to the number of students. He further stressed that all necessary arrangements should be completed before the start of the new academic session.

Public confidence should be instilled to encourage more children to receive education in government schools

          The Chief Minister emphasized the need to build public confidence in government schools to encourage more children to enroll and receive education there. He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing quality education to every child. In line with the National Education Policy, he said that Bhagavad Gita should be included in the curriculum up to class eighth to instill moral values in students.

To ensure holistic development, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of making sports and cleanliness compulsory in schools. Additionally, he called for enhancing the skills of teachers so they can effectively adopt new teaching methods. He also directed that basic facilities such as drinking water, toilets, and overall cleanliness be maintained in schools and colleges.

 Number of Model Sanskriti Schools should be increased at block level

            Sh. Nayab Singh Saini stated that the Haryana Government has established Model Sanskriti Schools at the block level, which are affiliated with the CBSE Board. These schools offer education in Mathematics and Science, along with English medium. Due to high demand and competition for admission, he emphasized the need to increase the number of Model Sanskriti Schools at the block level.

 All tasks must be completed within the stipulated time frame, and any unnecessary delays will not be tolerated under any circumstances

            While reviewing the Chief Minister’s announcements, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini directed that all pending development works be expedited. He emphasized that a specific time limit should be set for each task, and work must be completed within that time frame. He warned that unnecessary delays would not be tolerated under any circumstances. The Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to authorize XEN-level officers from other departments to handle the tendering related processes for the engineering wing of the Education Department. He also stressed that strict action should be taken against contractors who fail to complete their work within the stipulated time.

            The Chief Minister said that every child attending school should be monitored to track their future educational path, including which institution they enroll in after completing 12th grade. If any student is studying outside Haryana, their information should also be recorded to ensure that no child in the state is deprived of their fundamental right to education.

            The Chief Minister further emphasized that the goal of the present state government is to make Haryana a global center for education. In the age of AI, significant changes must be made to modernize education. He urged all officers and employees to take their responsibilities seriously and be well-prepared with all relevant information when attending meetings. The Chief Minister also stressed that all officers and employees should improve their work systems, as any negligence at any level would not be tolerated.

 A framework should be developed for conducting competitive exam preparation through smart classrooms in colleges, which will greatly benefit children from rural areas

            While reviewing the Higher Education Department, the Chief Minister directed officials to submit a report on the facilities, including infrastructure, in every college, so that any deficiencies can be addressed promptly. He also emphasized the need to develop a framework for arranging competitive exam preparation through smart classrooms in colleges, ensuring that children from rural areas have access to better resources for their exam preparations.

            The Chief Minister directed that buildings of the colleges which are under construction should be completed as soon as possible. He also emphasized the need to ensure that students do not face any difficulties in classes held in temporary buildings until the new ones are finished. Additionally, he instructed that solar panels should be installed on college buildings. Every college should have a boundary wall, along with proper water and toilet facilities. Furthermore, continuous arrangements should be made for the repair and maintenance of buildings as required.

A large reading room to be set up in Panchkula

            The Chief Minister stated that the present state government is committed to setting up reading rooms in cities to provide quality reading material to students. As part of this initiative, a large reading room should be established in Panchkula on a priority basis, ensuring that students from Panchkula do not need to travel to Chandigarh. He also mentioned that, given the government’s effort to establish a college every 20 kilometers, a reading room should be set up in each college. These reading rooms will remain open even after college hours, allowing students to visit and study.

Complete goals within the stipulated time period to fully implement the National Education Policy – Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda

          In the meeting, Education Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda directed officers to ensure that both short-term and long-term goals for the full implementation of the National Education Policy are completed within the stipulated time period. He emphasized that special attention should be given to the distribution of reading materials in schools. According to the new policy, he also highlighted the importance of making special efforts to teach foreign languages in schools. This will enable students to become proficient in foreign languages alongside their mother tongue, enhancing their chances of securing employment opportunities at the global level.

Streamline the working system on time; strict action will be taken for any deficiencies – Mahipal Dhanda

            The Education Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, directed that teachers who have been posted at the same position in field offices for extended periods should be instructed to go to schools and teach students. He emphasized the need for officers to correct their working systems promptly and ensure that schemes are implemented effectively at the ground level. He warned that if any deficiencies are identified during the next review meeting, strict action will be taken against the concerned individuals.

            Sh. Mahipal Dhanda also mentioned his visit to Sarthak School in Sector 12, Panchkula, where he reviewed the arrangements. He stated that every school should strive to become an ideal school like Sarthak School. He emphasized the importance of transforming the education system to improve the quality of schools, so parents are encouraged to send their children to government schools. The Minister further instructed that all arrangements should be in place before the new academic session to avoid any issues in schools.

            It was informed in the meeting that the norms of the National Education Policy have been fully implemented up to class 3, and the policy will be fully implemented up to class 7 by this year. Changes have been made to the curriculum in accordance with the education policy, and textbooks aligned with the new curriculum will be provided in this academic session. Furthermore, a plan is underway to sign a MoU with the French Embassy to teach French, allowing students to learn foreign languages in schools.

            It was also informed that smart classrooms have been established in 22 colleges to promote digital education, and 83 labs have been set up in 48 government colleges. The concept of multidisciplinary teaching has been implemented in line with the new National Education Policy.

            Chief Secretary Dr Vivek Joshi, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh Rajesh Khullar, Additional Chief Secretary of Higher Education Department Sh Vineet Garg, Principal Secretary of School Education Department Sh Pankaj Agarwal, Deputy Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh Yashpal Yadav, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, Haryana

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana Conducts Surprise Inspection of Radaur Bus Stand

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Chandigarh, January 11

Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana conducted a surprise inspection of the Radaur Bus Stand in Yamunanagar and directed the concerned Haryana Roadways General Manager, Sh. Sandeep Kumar, to ensure that the bus stand is kept clean. He said that all passengers should have access to adequate facilities at the bus stand, including cleanliness and access to drinking water.

While addressing the officials at bus stand, Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that the Radaur Bus Stand should be ranked first in the state for cleanliness. In response, the officials assured him that they would make every effort to ensure Radaur Bus Stand achieves high ranking.