Union Home Secretary reviews heat-wave preparedness measures with the states and union territories

Haryana government prepares comprehensive heat-wave action plan to safeguard residents

Haryana to establish ORS corners in public places

Chandigarh (<hryiprh@gmail.com>), April 29 - The Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh. T.V.S.N. Prasad, today stated that the state government, in a bid to protect its citizens from the heat-wave threat, has prepared a comprehensive action plan to mitigate heat-wave risks across the state, aiming to ensure the well-being and safety of residents, particularly focusing on vulnerable groups like students, outdoor workers, and rural communities.

Seasonal Outlook and Preparedness Measures: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted above-normal maximum temperatures over the state of Haryana for the hot weather season (April to June) 2024. Acknowledging this forecast, the state government has taken proactive steps to enhance preparedness and resilience against heat-related challenges.

After attending the virtual meeting convened by the Union Home Secretary to review heat-wave preparedness measures with the states and union territories today, Sh. Prasad gave the details of the collaborative efforts undertaken by various departments to address the imminent threat. Each department has designated nodal officers tasked with overseeing heat-wave preparedness activities, ensuring a coordinated and effective response.

Sh. Prasad informed that the School Education Department has implemented a strategic adjustment to school timings. Classes will now commence early in the morning and conclude before noon, reducing students' exposure to peak heat hours. Deputy Commissioners have been empowered to tailor specific timings for primary classes based on local conditions, ensuring optimal safety measures are in place. Directions have been issued to District Elementary Education Officers, District Education Officers, Block Education Officers, Block Elementary Education Officers, and school heads regarding this regard.

He further said that the Labour Department has launched a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the health and well-being of outdoor workers, who are particularly vulnerable to heat stress. An advisory has been circulated to display the phone numbers of the nearest hospitals/clinics to increase rest time during peak hours, especially in industries, construction sites, and brick kilns. The advisory includes arrangements for AC/coolers at specific places for workers, ensuring drinking water facilities at all work premises, labor checks, and health department oversight at brick kilns. Employers have been advised to organize health camps for workers in collaboration with the Health Department and to keep adequate quantities of ice packs/ORS packets.

The Women and Child Development Department is taking a proactive approach by launching door-to-door campaigns to educate girls, women, and caregivers about heatwave dangers and preventive measures. Special focus will be given to protecting vulnerable groups like infants, young children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and the elderly from dehydration. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme workers will disseminate crucial information, and Anganwadi centers will be equipped with essential supplies like drinking water, first-aid kits, ORS, and zinc solutions.

Chief Secretary Sh. T.V.S.N. Prasad stated that MNREGA will protect workers from excessive heat during the day by rescheduling working hours, providing drinking water facilities, sheds, and first aid facilities, arranging child care at work sites, and raising awareness about the effects of heatwaves. Field officers have also been directed to raise awareness about this.

He mentioned that the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying has issued advisories for livestock in view of the heatwave. Additionally, directions have been given to all assistant divisional fire officers, fire station officers, and in-charges of the state to prepare for dealing with the heatwave. They have also been directed to ensure that all firefighting vehicles and equipment in the fire stations are in working condition.

The Health & Family Welfare Department will set up ORS corners at public places like bus stands and railway stations. Public health advisories have been issued to all health facilities regarding dos and don'ts for extreme heat and heatwaves. Sensitization of all categories of health workers on heat stress-related disorders, prevention, and management is underway. All district nodal officers have been directed to ensure daily reporting of cases, with zero reported if no cases exist. Civil Surgeons and District Nodal Officers have been directed to regularly monitor reporting on the IHIP portal. Existing control rooms at district headquarters will serve as help desks if needed, he added.

A contingency crop plan has been prepared for Kharif-2024, with advisories being issued for farmers by Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University. Irrigation facilities are being utilized to protect crops from water shortages and as per crop requirements.

The Power Department has formed a Monitoring and Coordination Committee to manage power requirements during the hot weather season, with a focus on energy conservation. This year, expected power peak is 13,381 MW as compared to last year's 12,484 MW. Adequate measures are being taken up with regard to manage the heat wave months.

A campaign will also be launched regarding energy conservation. Power supply will be ensured for waterworks/water supply schemes. Meanwhile, the Public Health Engineering Department is ensuring uninterrupted water supply through tankers and pumping machinery, with portable drinking water facilities maintained at public places, Sh. Parsad said.

He said that Directions have been issued to all the Assistant Divisional Fire Officers/Fire Station Officers/Incharges in the State to prepare for ensuring heatwaves/summer and also directed that all the fire vehicles/equipment in the fire stations should be in running condition.

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Vice-Chancellor, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Prof. Rajbir Singh said this as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the seven-day health awareness and training camp organised by the Youth Red Cross Society.

Chandigarh, 29 April: Health is the greatest asset in one's life, without health, every achievement is incomplete. Therefore, be aware and take care of your health.

Vice-Chancellor, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Prof. Rajbir Singh said this as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the seven-day health awareness and training camp organised by the Youth Red Cross Society.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajbir Singh, while informing about the importance of health in life, emphasised the importance of physical and mental health. He called upon the YRC volunteers to eat healthy food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep, highlighting the role of nutritious food in health.

Blood Bank Incharge, PGIMS, Rohtak, Dr. Gajendra Singh, and SMO, Regional Blood Center, Karnal, Dr. Sanjay Verma, participated as guests of honour in the closing ceremony and appreciated the MDU, YRC for organising this event.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajbir Singh awarded the winners of various competitions organised in this seven-day health awareness and training camp. Neha stood first in slogan writing, Divya second, and Gunjan third. Shivani won first place in poster making, Meenu second, and Sheetal third. UTD team number one won first place in group song, Jat College, Rohtak second, and L.N Hindu College, Rohtak third. Krishna stood first in the Lucky Star game, Anshu second, and Kuldeep third. Jatin stood first in extempore, Sujit second, and Rakhi third. Armaan won first place in the solo song, Sakshi second, and Sawan third.

Jat College, Rohtak team won first place in the skit, Government Women's College, Rohtak team second, and UTD team number two third. Deepika won first place in the videography competition, Vani second, and Kuldeep third. Sawan was chosen as Best Youth Boy, Anjali as Best Youth Girl, Manish as Best Coordination Boy, and Divyanshi as Best Coordination Girl. Manish was awarded the title of Best Volunteers. Dr. Deepak Kaushik was chosen as Best Counselor Male and Dr. Kavita as Best Counselor Female.

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Election nomination process initiated in Haryana: Chief Electoral Officer

Awareness stickers pasted at ATMs and elevators to encourage voters for elections

Haryana boasts a vast network of over 5600 branches across 62 Banks

Voters are encouraged to exercise their voting rights with awareness campaigns in ATMs and Banks

Chandigarh,( <hryiprh@gmail.com>) April 29 - Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal stated that the initiation of the Lok Sabha general elections scheduled for May 25, 2024, in Haryana has commenced to ensure maximum participation of citizens. Awareness special stickers have been pasted at ATMs and elevators to raise awareness and encourage more voters to participate. Apart from this, students are being motivated to visit polling stations with their parents and take selfies.

He emphasised the importance of every eligible voter exercising their right to vote, highlighting that in the Lok Sabha general elections 2019, Haryana witnessed nearly 70 percent voter turnout, higher than the national average. The aim this time is to achieve a minimum of 75 percent voter turnout in the state.

Sh. Agarwal stated the MoU has been signed between the Election Commission, the Indian Postal Department, and the Indian Banks Association to raise voter awareness. The main objective is to convey to voters that their participation is crucial in democracy, hence every citizen should exercise their franchise.

He said that Haryana boasts a significant network of over 5600 branches across 62 banks. Just like how banks conduct KYC for their account holders, voters are encouraged to do their own KYC for their candidates. For this purpose, the Commission has prepared the 'Know Your Candidate' mobile app. With the support of banks, posters, and stickers are being used to inspire citizens visiting banks and ATMs to vote.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that there are more than 1 crore 99 lakh 95 thousand registered voters in Haryana. He has appealed to all the voters that every voter must exercise his franchise. There are 19810 polling stations in the state.

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Three-day solo art exhibition 'Hope' inaugurated in the Fine Arts Department of Kurukshetra University

Chandigarh, April 29 (DGIPR HARYANA <hryiprh@gmail.com>- A three-day solo art exhibition 'Hope' was inaugurated today in the Department of Fine Arts, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. Renowned artist Pratul Das from Delhi graced the event as the chief guest. In this exhibition, final year Master of Fine Arts student Sunil Kumar showcased his work, which is made from materials like metal, stone, clay, wood, etc.

After visiting the exhibition, Chief Guest Pratul Das addressed the students, praising their unique display of sculptural art. He emphasized that such exhibitions provide a cultural experience that encourages deep reflection on society and nature. He commended the students for their commendable work and credited them for the success of the event.

Student artist Sunil Kumar attempted to beautifully depict the ongoing changes over time through his artworks. His creative process involves finding peace within himself and his surroundings. Through his sculpture exhibition, he showcased how society evolves and changes.

The HOD of the Fine Arts Department, Prof. Ram Viranjan, encouraged the student artists, stating that the institution aims to provide a platform for showcasing their achievements in the field of professional art through their creativity and innovation. He mentioned the use of new styles and mediums in art, which the students are enthusiastically embracing, evident in this exhibition. Such exhibitions, he said, rejuvenate both students and teachers with new energy.

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To vote from home, elderly and disabled voters to fill 12-D form

Chandigarh, April 29 - As part of the Lok Sabha general elections, voters are being sensitized to participate in the voting process through Sveep activities. Efforts are being made to ensure the participation of eligible individuals in the voting process by providing special facilities to voters. The decision has been taken by the Election Commission of India to provide the option of voting from home to 40 percent or more differently-abled individuals and elderly persons aged 85 and above.

The Election Commission of India has decided to provide alternative facility of voting from home to disabled persons having 40 percent or more percentage as per disability and senior citizens above 85 years of age. He said that persons with 40 percent disability and senior citizens above 85 years of age will have to apply to the Returning Officer within five days of the issuance of the notification giving their consent to vote from home.

In this regard, it is instructed to all Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to visit every household and provide Form 12D. After filling out the form, the BLOs will also collect Form 12D from the voters' homes. If any person wishes to vote at the booth, they do not need to fill out Form-12D. It is mentioned that differently-abled voters need to submit a copy of their disability certificate.

A list of such voters will also be provided to candidates if they wish to appoint their representatives to monitor the process. A team of polling officials will reach the voter's address to collect his vote. Voters will be informed in advance about their visit schedule.

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गुरूग्राम लोकसभा के रिटर्निंग अधिकारी एवं उपायुक्त श्री निशांत कुमार यादव व पुलिस आयुक्त गुरूग्राम श्री विकास अरोड़ा गुरूग्राम में सोमवार को लोकसभा चुनाव 2024 के दौरान कानून व्यवस्था बनाये रखने व शांतिपूर्ण मतदान संपन्न कराने को लेकर दिल्ली, राजस्थान व हरियाणा के सीमावर्ती जिलों के प्रशासनिक व पुलिस अधिकारियों के साथ संयुक्त बैठक करते हुए।