Chandigarh, May 10 – The first meeting of the State Civil Advisory and Implementation Committee was convened here today under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, who also serves as the Committee Chairperson.

The meeting was aimed at ensuring that Civil Defence mechanisms are robust and well-coordinated to protect people, property, and essential services in times of emergencies, particularly during hostile attacks or disasters.

Presiding over the meeting, Chief Secretary, Sh. Rastogi instructed all administrative secretaries to immediately recall officers and officials currently on leave. He directed departments to prepare advance and contingency plans to enable swift action when required. “Departments must keep themselves in readiness to enforce necessary measures at short notice,” he added. To enhance coordination during emergencies, a War Emergency Branch will be established in the State Secretariat, under the supervision of the Deputy Secretary (Secretariat Establishment).

Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, who is also the Vice Chairperson of the Committee, drew attention to the unprecedented surge in fake news and misinformation on social media. She stressed the need for strict enforcement measures. “Such content must be aggressively monitored, and all accounts spreading misinformation should be tracked and shut down,” she said this while directing the concerned departments to take immediate and sustained action.

It was also informed during the meeting that there is no shortage of essential commodities in the state, and stockists have been directed to upload their inventories on a real-time basis on both central and state government portals.

Dr. Misra further urged all administrative secretaries to ensure that their departments are fully prepared to carry out all necessary actions related to emergency response. She instructed each department to nominate a Duty Officer (not below the rank of Deputy Secretary or equivalent) who will be responsible for coordinating the department’s response and handling all communications from the State and Union Governments. Departments were directed to submit contact details of their designated officers to the Chief Secretary’s office by this evening.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretaries of Health & Family Welfare, Irrigation and Water Resources, Energy, PWD (B&R), Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, and Higher Education. Also present were the Principal Secretaries of Industries and School Education, Commissioner & Secretaries from Development & Panchayats, Public Health Engineering, Urban Local Bodies, and Information, Public Relations and Languages Department.

Chandigarh, May 10- The Haryana Government has launched a new scheme to encourage the use of green manure and reduce farmers’ dependence on chemical fertilizers. Under this initiative, farmers who grow Dhaincha (also known as Sesbania bispinosa,) as green manure on their land will be provided cash incentives by the government. This amount will be transferred directly to their bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Sharing Information in this regard Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh.Shyam Singh Rana said that farmers will be given Rs. 1,000 per acre for growing Dhaincha. He said that Dhaincha is a natural fertilizer that improves soil fertility, helps retain moisture, and reduces production costs. It helps improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, which enriches the soil naturally. Experts say that Dhaincha enhances soil structure and maintains productivity over the long term. This is the first time such a scheme is being implemented across the state, and thousands of farmers are expected to benefit, he added.

Sh. Rana appealed to the farmers to upload photos of their Dhaincha crop on the “Meri Fasal Mera Byora” portal in a timely manner. Without this, they will not be able to avail the benefits of the scheme. The state government has set a target to promote crop diversification across 4 lakh acres in 22 districts, with Dhaincha playing a key role. Over 3 lakh farmers are expected to benefit from this effort.

The Agriculture Minister further said this scheme reflects the vision of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini and aligns with Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s farmer-centric approach. The government aims to connect farmers with digital platforms and ensure that benefits reach them quickly and transparently.

Sh. Rana encouraged farmers to take full advantage of all the schemes run by the state government and bea part of the Green Revolution by adopting eco-friendly crops like Dhaincha.

Chandigarh, May 10- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, in a high-level review meeting held via video conferencing with the Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners of Police, Superintendents of Police and Administrative Secretaries held on Saturday has  issued directions to ensure robust emergency management systems and prevent panic during critical situations. He emphasized proactive coordination, swift responses, and public reassurance as key priorities.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the government is fully committed to public safety.  He assured the people of the state that there is no need to panic, as all essential commodities including food, medicine, fuel, and daily necessities are available in sufficient quantities across the state. He emphasized that the government is closely monitoring every situation and has taken all necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted availability.

The Chief Minister urged citizens to stay calm, avoid hoarding, and rely only on verified information, adding that necessary action will be taken against those spreading rumors or creating artificial shortages. He stressed that misinformation often leads to panic-buying and inflated prices of essential food items. Authorities must ensure a calm atmosphere and take strict action against rumor-mongering.

Meanwhile, reflecting the vision of mobilizing the collective strength of the people, the Chief Minister directed officers concerned to develop a dedicated portal that will enable citizens to voluntarily offer their services to the government in this crucial time. He said that through this platform, individuals can come forward to contribute in various roles such as drivers, doctors, or any other capacity based on their skills and expertise.

Strict Vigil on Social Media and Misinformation

The Chief Minister directed that social media platforms should be closely monitored.  He said that to curb the spread of misinformation, all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police should convene meetings with local reporters and individuals running social media news channels and request them not to circulate any unverified or fake news. Necessary action will be taken against anyone found spreading false or provocative content that could disturb public peace, he said.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the District Administration must authenticate all news before public dissemination. Misleading or panic-inducing news must be dealt with firmly. He urged the citizens to remain calm and not be swayed by rumours or misleading information being spread on social media regarding the current situation.

Form WhatsApp Groups for Emergency Contacts and Streamlined Ambulance Services across Haryana

The Chief Minister said that all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police must form a WhatsApp group in each district to share emergency contact numbers with the public. Each district must designate one responsible and responsive contact number, which should also be shared with the state headquarters.

He also gave directions  for the mapping of all 560 government and 600 private ambulances that are presently functional in the state.  He said that the response time should be strictly within 5 to 7 minutes. In villages with a population of 5,000 or more, ambulance services must be ensured in coordination with local sarpanches and public representatives.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) must be activated and adequately equipped. A list of medicines, medical personnel, and infrastructure should be prepared for both government and private hospitals, especially in border areas. Private Doctors and retired medical professionals willing to assist in emergencies should also be identified, directed the Chief Minister.

Make necessary arrangements in the in high-rise buildings during blackout

The Chief Minister directed that during blackouts, necessary arrangements must be made in high-rise buildings. Lifts must be kept operational especially for senior citizens and differently-abled persons, enabling their safe evacuation in case of emergencies. 

He directed that Fire service vehicles must be kept well-maintained. At least one fire brigade should be deployed in every ‘kasba’ (town) with area-wise mapping completed to ensure timely and unhindered access. He said that smooth water supply should be  ensured through water tanks and ‘Diggis’, directed  Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.   The Chief Minister said that police patrolling must continue uninterrupted during blackout situations. Visible police presence should be maintained across public spaces and residential areas to instill a sense of safety and order.

District Administration must remain vigilant and coordinate closely to maintain public confidence-CS

The Chief Secretary, Sh. Anurag Rastogi apprised the Chief Minister that all the Deputy Commissioners and concerned officers have been directed  to issue advisories in line with those released by the Government of India. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining calm and order, he stated that the  Deputy Commissioners have been asked to focus on ensuring the continuous supply of essential commodities across the state. He further  shared that all actions should be measured and calibrated, and that no messages causing unnecessary panic or escalation should be allowed to circulate.  District Administration have been asked to remain vigilant and coordinate closely to maintain public confidence.

Ensure close Vigilance, Disaster Preparedness-  Rajesh Khullar

In the meeting, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar, said that Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police should jointly review the situation in their respective districts and carefully implement the provisions of the Disaster Management Act along with the district disaster response plan. He further emphasized that only verified and accurate information should be shared with the public through District Information and Public Relations Officers to ensure that people receive the correct updates and no panic is caused due to misinformation.

24×7 District Control Rooms activated for Enhanced Emergency Response Coordination- Dr. Sumita Misra

The Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra apprised the  Chief Minister of the comprehensive steps undertaken to strengthen emergency preparedness under the Disaster Management framework.  She said that contingency plans have been prepared, including identification of shelters with essential supplies and accessibility for vulnerable populations, and additional temporary shelters have been arranged in schools and community buildings. Besides this, District Control Rooms have been made operational 24×7 with updated contact directories, inter-agency coordination protocols, and provisions for warning sirens. She informed that Hotlines with local military authorities and other key agencies are being prioritized, and clear communication channels with designated points of contact have been established.  She said that Deputy Commissioners have been asked to conduct coordinated rehearsals of activation of sirens and blackout drills. 

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Cultural Department, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Saket Kumar, Director General, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Cultural Department, Sh. K. Makrand Pandurang and Administrative Secretaries of concerned departments also attended the meeting.

Chandigarh, May 10 – A ‘Tiranga Yatra’ will be organised in Panchkula on Sunday in honour of the Armed Forces and to spread the message of national pride. Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini will lead the Yatra. Thousands of people will participate in the yatra.

          To ensure smooth organisation of the event, the Director General, Information, Public Relations, Languages, and Culture Department, Sh. K. Makrand Pandurang, held a meeting at the Panchkula District Secretariat on Saturday. Officers from various departments and representatives from voluntary organisations attended the meeting, where necessary guidelines for successful yatra were shared.

          Sh. K. Makrand Pandurang appealed to citizens across all communities and political groups to take active part in the yatra and show their respect for the country’s soldiers. The ‘Tiranga Yatra’ will begin from the open-air theatre in Yavanika Town Park, Sector-5, Panchkula, and will conclude at Major Sankhla Chowk. At the memorial there, Chief Minister, Sh.Nayab Singh Saini and other dignitaries will pay floral tribute.

          Special Officer (Community Policing and Outreach) IG, Sh. Pankaj Nain, Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, Smt. Monika Gupta along with officers and employees of various departments and educational institutions also remained present during the meeting.

Chandigarh, May 9:

In view of the current tensions between India and Pakistan, the Punjab Government has taken immediate steps to ensure the highest level of preparedness in the state’s Fire and Emergency Services.

Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh has issued strict directives, cancelling all leaves of Fire Brigade staff and ordering 24×7 deployment at sensitive locations across Punjab. He said that war is a major emergency and the Fire Brigade plays a crucial role in such situations. He instructed officials to conduct mock drills, ensure all equipment is fully functional and maintain constant communication with Army authorities for swift response in case of any emergency. Officials have been directed to remain on high alert with their mobile phones active at all times.

Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the State Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is fully committed to ensuring public safety and has mobilized all resources to handle any emergency effectively.

To ensure rapid response, the Cabinet Minister has asked Fire Brigade officials to coordinate closely with Deputy Commissioners to strategically position fire tenders at key locations for quick mobilization. Regular meetings must be held to review preparedness and all necessary arrangements should be expedited. 

Dr. Singh reassured the public that the situation is under control and urged citizens not to panic. He also instructed officials to study the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) manuals to ensure timely and effective relief operations. Additionally, local vehicle repair workshops will be engaged to provide emergency maintenance services, even during nighttime, if required. 

Dr. Ravjot Singh announced that Cabinet Ministers will personally inspect hospitals and Fire Brigade facilities to assess readiness.

Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Tejvir Singh stressed the department’s responsibility and called for professional commitment in delivering efficient services. He confirmed that the department is well-equipped with modern firefighting tools but urged officials to promptly report any additional requirements. A written duty roster must also be maintained for better accountability.

Fire Brigade Department Releases Emergency Contact Numbers

The Punjab Fire Brigade Department has already introduced a dedicated emergency helpline number-112 to ensure swift response during crises. Besides this, the department has issued the contact details of its district-level officers for direct assistance. Citizens can reach out to these officials in case of emergencies.

Chandigarh, May 9, 2025:

Reinforcing its relentless commitment to curb corruption at all levels, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) arrested 34 individuals including 23 government officials and 11 private persons in connection with 22 bribery cases during the month of April. All accused were apprehended red-handed while accepting illegal gratification during specially laid trap operations across the state.

An official spokesperson of the VB stated here today that the Bureau, acting under the zero-tolerance policy of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, continues to adopt a proactive and uncompromising stance to root out corruption from public offices. “This campaign is not only about taking action but about setting a strong deterrent against corrupt practices,” the he asserted.

He further informed that during the same period, the VB had filed 12 charge sheets in various courts and registered 20 criminal cases involving 34 accused, including 18 government employees. Additionally, one vigilance enquiry was initiated to thoroughly probe allegations of corruption in a specific case.

Highlighting the Bureau’s legal successes, he said three bribery cases contested by the VB in different courts concluded with convictions. The courts handed down imprisonment terms ranging from four to five years, along with fines between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 35,000.

The spokesperson reiterated the Bureau’s unwavering determination to cleanse the system of all forms of corruption and urged citizens to play an active role in this mission. People are encouraged to report incidents of bribery or corruption directly through the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line by lodging complaints via WhatsApp at 95012-00200.

“This initiative empowers the public to become active stakeholders in ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in governance,” he added.

Chandigarh, May 9:

Punjab Power Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO today announced significant advancements in the modernization of Amritsar’s power distribution network under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) for the financial year 2024-25.

He informed that with Amritsar emerging as a key religious, cultural and economic hub, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has prioritized upgrading its aging power infrastructure to curb losses, enhance efficiency and ensure seamless electricity supply to residents and businesses. 

He said that the initiative focuses on critical areas such as infrastructure reinforcement, voltage stabilization, reduction of technical and commercial losses and the adoption of smart technologies to future-proof the grid. Key interventions include the augmentation of power transformers, replacement of outdated conductors with High-Temperature Low-Sag (HTLS) cables, installation of advanced distribution transformers and underground cabling in theft-prone and heritage-sensitive zones. Besides this, the deployment of smart meters, SCADA systems and GIS-based monitoring mechanisms has been accelerated to improve operational transparency and consumer service delivery. 

Highlighting the project’s achievements, S. Harbhajan Singh ETO informed that five 12.5 MVA power transformers were upgraded to 20 MVA, while four 20 MVA units were enhanced to 31.5 MVA. Likewise, five new 100 MVA transformers were installed to bolster the grid’s capacity. Over 508 km of high-tension (HT) lines and 299 km of low-tension (LT) lines were upgraded alongside the installation of 5,200 new distribution transformers and the replacement of 4,060 overloaded units. To optimize load management, 60 feeders were bifurcated and Aerial Bunched Cables (ABC) were deployed in high-theft areas, contributing to a 2% reduction in Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses. 

The Cabinet Minister said, “The integration of SCADA systems in central Amritsar and GIS-based asset mapping, covering 70% of the city’s network, has revolutionized real-time monitoring and fault detection”, adding that the installation of 2,12,900 smart meters in urban clusters has significantly improved billing accuracy and consumer satisfaction.

These measures have yielded tangible results, with voltage-related grievances dropping markedly, system availability rising from 93.73% to 97.25% and billing efficiency improving by 5%. A decline in consumer complaints and safety incidents further underscores the project’s success, he added.

The Cabinet Minister said that the total expenditure for the fiscal year 2024-25 amounted to Rs.283.05 crore, with an additional Rs.897.4 crore earmarked for upcoming projects between 2025 and 2027. The current investments are projected to break even within 2.5 years.

Looking ahead, the Power Minister disclosed that a Rs.600 crore budget has been sanctioned under RDSS for 2025-26 and 2026-27. Key allocations include Rs.69 crore for 22 new power transformers, Rs.90.05 crore for eight substations, Rs.103.63 crore for the bifurcation and revamping of 221 feeders, and Rs.73.02 crore for 2,134 additional distribution transformers. 

Acknowledging implementation challenges such as right-of-way disputes, monsoon disruptions, public resistance and manpower shortages, the Cabinet Minister reaffirmed Mann government commitment to addressing these hurdles, stressing the need for expedited underground cabling, wider smart meter adoption, rapid-response maintenance squads, community awareness campaigns and workforce upskilling. 

“A centralized digital dashboard will integrate all systems, ensuring seamless coordination and data-driven decision-making,” said S. Harbhajan Singh ETO, adding that “These sustained efforts will not only meet Amritsar’s growing energy demands but also guarantee a reliable, safe and consumer-centric power ecosystem for years to come.

CHANDIGARH/TARN TARAN, May 9:

          In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing anti-drugs campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Tarn Taran Police has  busted an international narco-terror smuggling module with the arrest its two operatives, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Lovepreet Singh alias Love and Jagroop Singh, both residents of village Fateh Chak in Tarn Taran. Police teams have also recovered 5 kg heroin, seven sophisticated pistols— including four .30 bore Bretta, two PX5 and one .30 bore Star Mark; Rs 7.20 lakhs drug money and currency counting machine from their possession, besides, impounding their Hatchback Hyundai i20 car.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that accused Lovepreet Singh alias Love was in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers and his foreign handlers. Probe has also indicated that the consignments were being dropped with the help of drones from across the border, he said.

          The DGP said that further investigations are ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages in this case. More arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days, he added.

          Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tarn Taran Abhimanyu Rana said that acting swiftly on reliable inputs, police team of CIA Staff under the supervision of DSP Detective Gurinderpal Singh Nagra conducted a targeted operation and apprehended accused persons Lovepreet Singh and Jagroop Singh from near Molsari Palace in Tarn Taran.

          During interrogation, accused Lovepreet disclosed that he has a rented house at Green Avenue near Chabhal Chownk in Tarn Taran, which he was using as a safe haven for concealing the contraband, said the SSP, while adding that efforts are being made to uncover the entire network of suppliers, dealers, buyers and hawala handlers to ascertain the total quantity of drugs and Arms-ammunition received by the arrested accused so far.

          A case under FIR No. 109 dated May 08, 2025, has been registered under sections 21(c), 23, 25 and 27 (a) of the NDPS Act and section 25 (8) of the Arms Act at Tarn Taran City Police Station.

Chandigarh, May 8 – On the recommendation of Haryana’s Energy Minister Sh. Anil Vij, the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (DHBVNL) has suspended Avneet Bhardwaj, SDO/OP, Sub-Division, DHBVNL, Farrukhnagar, Gurugram with immediate effect. Orders in this regard have been issued by the Managing Director of DHBVNL.

According to the orders, the SDO has been suspended with immediate effect under Regulation-7 of the DHBVN Employees (Discipline and Appeal) Regulations, 2019 on account of non-performance and lack of control in his role as SDO/OP, Sub-Division, DHBVNL, Farrukhnagar.

During the suspension period, his headquarters will be fixed in the office of SE/OP Circle, DHBVNL, Hisar, where he will be required to mark his attendance on each working day. Additionally, during the suspension period, Avneet Bhardwaj will be entitled to subsistence allowance as per Rule-83 of the Haryana Civil Services (General) Rules, 2016.

It is noteworthy that the Energy Minister had recently recommended his immediate suspension based on a report highlighting Avneet Bhardwaj’s unsatisfactory performance, following which this action was taken.