Chandigarh, May 13 – Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra today announced a comprehensive strengthening of Haryana’s Civil Defence setup to ensure the state is fully prepared to handle any emergency be it natural or man-made with swiftness.

Dr. Misra stated that the government has launched Civil Defence (CD) volunteer registration camps throughout the state at district level and sub division level to begin with. Currently, the drills are being run in 10 districts and will soon be expanded comprehensively to all  districts. These volunteers will be provided with standard jackets and uniforms to ensure they are easily identifiable and ready to act in emergency situations.

She further informed that the existing Paper Plan in each districts will be revamped and updated with  focus on vulnerability mapping of key public infrastructure such as government building, schools, universities, hospitals, power grids, industries and water systems both in urban and rural areas. “No high-risk areas will left unmapped,” Dr. Misra asserted.

Dr. Misra further informed that all new CD volunteers will undergo mandatory training based on the official national module issued by the Government of India. In order to strengthen local emergency response, a platoon of 30 trained Home Guard volunteers (on paid basis) will be placed on standby at district level.

She further informed that for the first time, livestock evacuation has been made a formal part of disaster drills. CD volunteers experienced in animal care will be involved to ensure full-scale community protection. At the same time, the state is working with defence forces to develop a response plan for unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Dr. Misra reaffirmed that Haryana is committed to building a trained, equipped, and alert Civil Defence force. “Haryana is fully equipped and prepared, as disaster readiness is not just a priority it is the need of the hour,” she added. Community based efforts reduce risk and create opportunities for local development and sustainable livelihoods. By localizing disaster risk reduction, we will also optimize the utilization of indigenous knowledge and conventional best practices.

In addition, under National Disaster Management Authority Scheme of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, 2300 volunteers have already been trained as ‘Aapda Mitra’ in nine districts namely Ambala, Panchkula, Rewari, Kurukshetra, Faridabad, Nuh, Gurugram, Sonipat, Yamunanagar, with the fundamental skills such as search & rescue, *evacuation*, first aid etc. necessary to address the immediate needs in case of any sensitive situation.

The meeting was attended by Secretary, Home, Smt. Geeta Bharti, Special Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Sh. Rahul Hooda, Member Secretary, State Disaster Management Authority, Sh. S. Narayanan, DSP, Home Guard/Civil Defence, Smt. Tanya Singh, Project Officer, Smt. Ritesh and other senior officers were present.

Chandigarh, May 9

Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, informed that the State Government has constituted the State Civil Advisory/Implementation Committee to effectively implement and monitor the Civil Defence Rules, 1968 across the state.

          Giving more information in this regard, Dr. Misra stated that the committee has been constituted to ensure better coordination among departments, enhance emergency response systems, and improve preparedness to handle disasters or hostile situations.

          She apprised that the Committee will be chaired by the Chief Secretary, Haryana with the Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, serving as the Vice-Chairman.

          It was further informed that Members include officers such as the Additional Chief Secretaries of Health & Family Welfare Department, Home, Irrigation and Water Resources, Energy, PWD (B&R), Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, and Higher Education, along with the Principal Secretaries of Industries and School Education Departments.

          Also included are Commissioner & Secretaries from Development & Panchayats, Public Health Engineering, Urban Local Bodies, and Information, Public Relations and Languages Department and senior officers like the Director General of Police, ADGP CID, Director General Fire Services, and Commandant SDRF. Notably, the Commandant General, Home Guards and Director, Civil Defence, Haryana will serve as the Member-Secretary.

          The Committee also includes Commissioner & Secretary, Citizens Resources Information Department (CRID), Director, Civil Military Liaison Conference, Western Command Chandimandir, and SP, Government Railway Police (GRP), Ambala as members.

Chandigarh, May 7

Speaking at the Chandigarh Press Club, Kulbhushan Sharma, State President of the Federation of Private Schools Welfare Association and National President of NISA, emphasized the urgent need for a lasting resolution to the long-standing issue of unrecognized private schools. He pointed out that many of these schools have had their cases pending with the Aadhaar system for over two decades. As a result, every year during the admission period in April and the board exam season, these schools face uncertainty regarding their operations. This ongoing pressure diverts their focus from improving education quality to making repeated appeals to government officials to ensure their survival.

Sharma noted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been in power in Haryana for over ten years and had promised in its manifesto to address this issue permanently. However, thousands of private schools across the state are still awaiting meaningful relief. He urged Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini, who has been offering relief to various sections of society, to convene a meeting with private school representatives and address their concerns without further delay.

Private schools have also been in regular contact with Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda, raising awareness about their challenges. Sharma proposed that schools operating since before 2011 should be granted recognition under the Right to Education Act, based on the infrastructure they currently have. This would help integrate all such schools into the mainstream education system. For those unable to meet certain norms, he recommended that they be given sufficient time and permitted to relocate according to the older regulations.

He further criticized the actions of officials in some districts, who, citing specific orders, are allegedly pressuring school authorities, which Sharma described as unacceptable in a civilized society. He called on the Chief Minister and Education Minister to step in immediately to stop the harassment and threats of FIRs against private school staff, and to engage directly with school representatives to find a permanent and just resolution.

Chandigarh

After felicitating 64 candidates from Haryana who have successfully cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 at his residence Sant Kabir Kutir in Chandigarh, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday urged them never to forget their values and roots, and wherever they serve, establish a legacy of success through their competence and integrity. The Chief Minister expressed hope that these bright minds would contribute their talents to realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047, and continuing to uphold the pride of Haryana through their commendable service.

Saini said, “You all are the foundation and torchbearers of a developed India. The nation has high expectations from you. I am confident that through your service in every corner of the country, you will not only strengthen the spirit of unity in diversity but also bring glory to Haryana.”

Saini said that prior to 2014, youth in Haryana had to make rounds of the offices of MLAs and ministers to secure government jobs. However, after 2014, the state government implemented the Mission Merit policy and established a transparent system of recruitment—providing government jobs without parchi-kharchi. Since then, young aspirants have been preparing through coaching centers and successfully entering government services. The state government has provided over 1.75 lakh government jobs based on merit and transparency. He added that in the last 10 years, even the smallest villages in Haryana have seen 5 to 6 youth securing government jobs, while in larger villages, this number ranges from 350 to 400.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Modi believes in delivering what he promises, and the Haryana government is following the same path. He emphasized that even before taking the oath of office, the present state government fulfilled its promise made to youth during elections by issuing joining letters to 26,000 candidates. He said that the selected candidates have reached this milestone through determination, hard work, and dedication. He extended his heartfelt congratulations to them and their parents.
Highlighting the transformative changes in the country over the past decade, Saini said that it is a matter of pride that powerful nations are now praising India on the global stage. He asserted that it is everyone’s duty to make India a global leader, and the role of the youth will be crucial in achieving this goal.

The Chief Minister further said that just as senior officers have contributed to Haryana’s progress and development, these young officers will now work for the welfare of 140 crore Indians. With their commitment, they will help script the story of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, fulfilling the vision of the Prime Minister.

‘Govt working to promote & disseminate teachings of Sikh Gurus’

In another event, addressing the eminent citizens of the Sikh community, Saini affirmed that the state government is dedicated to spreading the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and preserving the rich legacy of the Sikh community. He said that inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has worked tirelessly for the upliftment of the Sikh community, the Haryana Government is also undertaking significant steps for their welfare and cultural preservation. He said that the state government is actively engaged in promoting and disseminating the teachings of Sikh Gurus, while also preserving the history of the Sikh community, said Saini.

The Chief Minister said that both the Central and Haryana governments are true allies of farmers. As proof of this, all crops in Haryana are being procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP), and over the past ten and a half years, the government has provided compensation of Rs. 14,500 crore to farmers for crop losses. In contrast, under the Congress government before 2014, farmers received only Rs. 1,155 crore for crop damages, said  Saini. The Chief Minister said that the medical college being constructed in Yamunanagar will be named after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Similarly, a museum in Lohgarh will soon be developed in honor of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji, and a Martial Arts School will also be built there. Additionally, the road from Nada Sahib to Paonta Sahib has been named after Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, he said.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has identified the land in Kurukshetra for the construction of a Sikh Museum. This museum will preserve the heritage related to Sikh history, providing youth with valuable insights into their rich past. He assured the members of the Sikh community that their demands would be forwarded to the concerned departments for appropriate action, he added.

Chandigarh, April 12

Managing Director of Hafed, Sh Mukul Kumar, has stated that strict action will be taken against officers and employees found negligent in wheat procurement process. He emphasized that the top priority for officials must be to ensure that farmers face no difficulties while selling their crops in the markets, and that procurement is carried out at the price fixed by the  government .

While directing officials, Sh Mukul Kumar stressed the importance of timely lifting of the procured wheat to avoid inconvenience to farmers. He said that this season special instructions have been issued  to ensure that both traders and farmers do not encounter any problems during the  procurement process. He assured that extensive and proper arrangements have been made to purchase every grain of the farmers’ produce.

On Saturday, the Managing Director Sh Mukul Kumar visited the grain markets of Kurukshetra and Pipli to review the wheat procurement and lifting facilities. During the visit, he interacted with  Arhtiyas and farmers to gather firsthand information regarding the ongoing operations. He also provided necessary directives to the officials on site.

Upon his arrival at the markets, he first inspected the gate pass system and gave instructions to the officials to maintain proper procedures. He then reviewed the crop procurement process, instructing officials to ensure smooth operations, transparency in the issuance of gate passes, and the arrangement of essential facilities such as clean drinking water, sanitation, and timely crop lifting.

Sh Mukul Kumar further stated that Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini has issued clear directives that there should be no lapses in wheat procurement and lifting. “Any negligence in this regard will not be tolerated. The government is committed to purchasing every grain of the farmers’ produce ,” he affirmed.

Chandigarh April 9: Expressing confidence in the Haryana Government’s Ease of Doing Business regime, the renowned Dubai-based Sharaf Group of Companies is set to launch its third major project in the state’s logistics and retail sectors. The project which will be established in Rewari would not only boost trade activities significantly in the region but also provide employment opportunities to the local youth.

Major General Sharafuddin Sharaf, Founder of Sharaf Group of Companies and the Chairman of UAE India Business Council met Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini here today and expressed keen interest in further expanding the company’s presence in Haryana.

During the meeting, Major General Sharafuddin Sharaf also invited Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini to the inauguration of a new project in Village Dhirpur, district Kurukshetra. The company has already established a project in district Palwal. He assured the Chief Minister that, with the assistance of Haryana’s Foreign Cooperation Department, the Sharaf Group would support the skilled youth of Haryana in securing employment opportunities in Dubai and other countries where the company operates.

 Advisor, Foreign Cooperation Department, Haryana Sh Pawan Chaudhary and Capt. Ashwani Nayar and Shashi Gupta from Hind Terminals Private Limited were also present in the meeting.

 Haryana has a dedicated Foreign Cooperation Department to assist with foreign business requirements

Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini assured Major General Sharafuddin Sharaf of the full support and cooperation of the State Government to help the Sharaf Group of Companies establish their units in Haryana. He highlighted that the state has a dedicated Foreign Cooperation Department to assist with foreign business requirements. The Chief Minister further emphasized that the Haryana Government has implemented several reforms to enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the state. These reforms include the introduction of a Single Window Clearance system, relaxation of labor laws, and faster environmental clearance processes. As a result, Haryana has become a preferred destination for both national and international companies to establish their units in the State.

Sharaf Group, based in the UAE, along with its subsidiary Hind Terminals Private Limited, is making significant investments in India

Major General Sharafuddin Sharaf informed the Chief Minister that the Sharaf Group, based in the UAE, along with its subsidiary Hind Terminals Private Limited, is making significant investments in India. Headquartered in Dubai, the Sharaf Group operates across various sectors including shipping, logistics, supply chain management, information technology, retail, and travel and tourism in the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent. Hind Terminals Private Limited (HTPL), an Indian subsidiary, focuses on providing solutions for establishing and operating multi-modal agro logistics parks, rail-road transportation, third-party logistics, inland container depots, and the preservation of fresh produce as part of the cold chain.

 HTPL to make an additional investment of at least Rs 1,000 crore over the next two to three years

The Chief Minister was also informed that HTPL has already invested over Rs 2,500 crore in the development of rail operations and inland container depots/multimodal logistics parks across India. The company’s ongoing expansion plans, which include developing new facilities and upgrading existing ones across the country, will require an additional investment of at least Rs 1,000 crore over the next two to three years. Current projects are providing direct employment to approximately 300 people and indirect employment to around 2,000 people. The upcoming projects are expected to create direct employment for about 200 people and indirect employment for approximately 1,000 people.

Chandigarh, March 9

Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labor Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that during the S.D. Chatterjee Football Trophy, former football players were honored, and their pictures were displayed to remember them. “This is a sign of football’s resurgence, and Ambala Cantonment is set to regain its football glory.”

Sh. Vij was addressing people this evening after the final match of the S.D. Chatterjee Trophy at the FIFA-approved football ground of the War Heroes Memorial Stadium in Ambala Cantonment.

He expressed his appreciation for the Football Lovers Welfare Society for organizing the competition in the name of Dada S.D. Chatterjee. He said that “Nations perish when they forget their ancestors.” He was pleased to see that members of Chatterjee’s family had come here after many years, making it a true tribute to his contributions in developing football players in this city. He also appreciated the organization’s name, “Football Lovers Welfare Society,” stating that while players can be trained, the real need is for football lovers.

Ambala Cantonment was once a stronghold of football- Vij

Energy and Transport Minister Anil Vij recalled watching football matches on this ground, where the stadium used to be packed with enthusiastic spectators who seemed as if they were playing the game themselves. He remembered Dada S.D. Chatterjee, who passionately guided football players. There was a time when Ambala Cantonment was the hub of football. Matches used to be held in this stadium, drawing large crowds. In Gandhi Ground, matches required tickets, and the stands were always full.

During that era, Ambala Cantonment had football teams like Union Club, Heroes Club, Aryans Club, and others that established their dominance across India, even defeating the renowned Mohun Bagan Club of West Bengal.

Built a FIFA-approved football stadium in Ambala Cantonment -Vij

Cabinet Minister Anil Vij noted that while other places had developed turf fields for football, players in Ambala Cantonment continued playing on dirt fields, causing the sport to decline. When he got the opportunity, he initiated the construction of a high-quality FIFA-approved football stadium in Ambala Cantonment, which will be completed soon. Within hundreds of kilometers, there is no other FIFA-approved stadium in this region. Continuous communication with FIFA is ongoing to host national and international matches here. Once major tournaments are held in Ambala Cantonment, talented players will undoubtedly emerge.

Football is a global game with a stronger foundation than cricket -Vij

Cabinet Minister Anil Vij pointed out that while cricket is dominant everywhere today, it is primarily a sport of Commonwealth countries where the British ruled. In contrast, football is a game played worldwide. He emphasized that other sports should not be neglected, as their foundation is even stronger than cricket. He highlighted that football players earn just as much, if not more, than cricketers.

He said that to promote positive energy among athletes, he has facilitated the construction of a football stadium, an all-weather swimming pool (which hosted Khelo India swimming competitions), an international-standard gymnastics hall, a badminton hall, and a yoga center in Ambala Cantonment. Additionally, he developed an open-air theater in Subhash Park, where the Mr. Ambala bodybuilding competition is currently taking place.

“Keep politics to us; don’t let it enter football” -Vij

Anil Vij stated that, “Keep politics to us; don’t let it enter football.” He mentioned hearing discussions that weaken the spirit of football. The game should be played with true sportsmanship. Even within their organizations, people should work with the right spirit. His goal is to channel people’s energy in a positive direction, and he is succeeding in this endeavor, with continued support for sports enthusiasts.

Vij boosted players’ morale by kicking a football

Before the final match, Anil Vij kicked a football on the field to encourage the players. He watched the final match, where Kalka Football Academy defeated Patiala’s Dalbir Football Academy 2-0 to win the tournament. Vij honored the winning and runner-up teams by awarding them trophies.

On this occasion, Welfare Society President Rajesh Sharma, along with Subhash Sharma, Naresh Kumar, Rakesh Sharma, Subhash, Ashok Sharma, Dheeraj Bhatia, Anil Goyal, A.D. Gandhi and other dignitaries, were present.

Chandigarh, March 5

Haryana Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister, Sh. Rajesh Nagar, held a review meeting today with senior department officers. During the meeting, he discussed several important issues and directed officers to ensure the timely distribution of ration and mustard oil. He also directed to accelerate the work of installing CCTV cameras at ration depots.

The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister directed the officers to expedite the process of allotting new ration depots. He said that tenders have been initiated to install new PoS machines at ration depots through public sector undertakings. The meeting also discussed the resumption of fortified wheat flour distribution under the public distribution system (PDS), which would help address complaints about the supply of damp grain.

In the meeting it was also considered to reintroduce the ‘Potli Scheme’, which involves distributing all essential commodities under the PDS in a single ‘Potli’ to the beneficiaries. 

Additional Chief Secretary, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan and Director, Sh. Rajesh Jogpal along with other senior officers  also remained  present during the meeting.