*Haryana Intensifies Disaster Preparedness Ahead Of Monsoon Season*

Chandigarh, April 29 - The Haryana Government has launched extensive preparedness measures to tackle potential floods, heatwaves, and drought conditions across the state ahead of the approaching monsoon season. Financial Commissioner Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra has directed all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners to activate control rooms and ensure coordinated response mechanisms at district and state levels.

A State Emergency Operations Centre is already functional in Panchkula on a 24x7 basis. District authorities have been instructed to establish dedicated flood control rooms by mid-May and appoint nodal officers responsible for real-time coordination and reporting. Essential infrastructure, including communication systems, internet connectivity, and adequate manpower, has been mandated for smooth functioning.

The government has assigned the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department as the nodal agency for drought management. Multiple departments — including irrigation, public health engineering, police, and health — have been tasked with specific responsibilities such as strengthening embankments, ensuring drainage systems, maintaining power supply, and preparing medical and veterinary services.

A comprehensive action plan has been circulated, outlining steps such as mock drills, inspection of vulnerable areas, preparation of evacuation plans, and ensuring availability of relief materials. Authorities have been directed to identify flood-prone zones, monitor reservoir levels, and disseminate early warnings through digital platforms and local communication systems.

Special emphasis has been placed on search and rescue readiness. Deployment details have been sought for Quick Response Teams and National Disaster Response Force units. Arrangements for temporary shelters, drinking water, sanitation, and food supply are to be ensured, particularly in vulnerable rural and urban areas.

The preparedness plan also includes provisions for post-flood disease surveillance, vector control, and safe disposal of carcasses to prevent contamination. Medical teams and emergency supplies are to be pre-positioned, while awareness campaigns will be conducted to educate citizens on safety measures.

In addition to flood management, the state has outlined strategies to address drought-like situations, including water conservation measures, reservoir management, and crop contingency planning. Departments have been asked to monitor rainfall patterns and ensure drinking water availability in affected areas.

District administrations have been instructed to submit regular situation reports and ensure continuous monitoring during the monsoon period. The government has stressed proactive planning and inter-departmental coordination to minimise loss of life and property during the upcoming season.

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Last Day of Self-Enumeration Today; Actual House Listing and Census Operations to Commence from May 1

Chandigarh, April 29 - Dr. Lalit Jain, Director of Census, Haryana, Ministry of Home Affairs, has appealed to all residents of Haryana that today is the last day for Self-Enumeration, and all citizens should actively participate and ensure completion of their census through this facility. He informed that more than 2.45 lakh households in Haryana have completed self-enumeration so far, setting a new record and reflecting strong public participation and awareness across the State. In particular, significant enthusiasm has been observed among the youth regarding self-enumeration.

Self-enumeration is a very simple process and can be completed in 5–7 minutes by visiting the portal se.census.gov.in. Afterwards, only an ID no. so issued will be required to be shared with the enumerator.

Dr. Jain stated that actual House Listing and Census Operations will commence across the State from May 1. He appealed to the general public to extend full cooperation to all Enumerators and Supervisors visiting their areas and to provide them with correct, accurate, and updated information.

He clarified that all information furnished by citizens will be kept strictly confidential and will not be shared with any individual or institution.

Dr. Jain stated that the Census is a national responsibility, through which every citizen contributes to the nation’s development, policy formulation, and equitable distribution of resources. He further informed that refusal to provide required information to census officials or non-cooperation with them constitutes a punishable offence under the Census Act.

He urged all citizens to participate actively in this national exercise and ensure that their census is duly recorded.

Dr. Jain expressed gratitude to all district administrations in the State, stating that every district has made comprehensive and excellent preparations for the conduct of census operations and has put in place highly efficient arrangements. He added that Enumerators and Supervisors are the most vital pillars of the census process, and they are expected to discharge their duties with complete dedication and commitment. The Department stands fully with them.

If any Enumerator, Supervisor, or citizen faces any difficulty, they may contact their concerned Supervisor/Tehsildar. In addition, the Census Department’s helpline number 1855 has also been made available, on which any citizen, Enumerator, or Supervisor may report issues. Appropriate action will be ensured on every complaint/problem.

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Haryana Government to Strengthen Focus on E-Governance

Chief Secretary to Review Progress of e-Office, CFMS and HRMS on May 1

Chandigarh, April 29 – Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi will review the implementation and progress of key e-governance systems across various State Government departments on May 1, including e-Office, Annual Confidential Reports (ACR), Centralized File Movement System (CFMS), and Human Resource Management System (HRMS).

During the meeting, department-wise presentations on various HRMS modules will be made to assess the status of modules adopted by each department. Discussions will also be held on pending cases in CFMS and issues related to the introduction of the “Parked Files” category.

All Administrative Secretaries will be asked to ensure the effective implementation of the e-Office system at all levels within their respective departments. In addition, all departments will deliberate on finalizing ACR templates for employees of all categories and integrating them with HRMS.

The meeting will also include discussions on providing rule-based and subject-expert support for the effective functioning of HRMS, so that continuous technical and functional guidance can be ensured.

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Farmers meet Chief Minister, agree to provide 450 acres for IMT in Naraingarh at govt-fixed rates

Farmers express gratitude to Chief Minister as IMT project moves into execution

Chandigarh, April 29 — The proposed Industrial Model Township (IMT) in Naraingarh moved a step closer on Wednesday after farmers from the area agreed to offer nearly 450 acres at government-fixed rates, giving a fillip to Haryana’s industrial expansion plans. The project is expected to not only spur holistic development in the region but also strengthen the State’s industrial base.

A delegation of farmers met Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday participated in a meeting where land rates for the project were discussed in detail. The farmers consented to the rates, paving the way for land availability for the IMT. As the process formally began, they welcomed the Chief Minister by offering sweets as a mark of gratitude.

Appreciating the farmers’ cooperation, the Chief Minister said the initiative would aid economic growth and generate employment in the region.

He said work on an IMT in Ambala is already under way at a fast pace, and a similar facility in Naraingarh would further boost industrial development. The Ambala region, he added, would be developed as a modern industrial hub on the lines of Gurugram, creating employment opportunities for the youth.

The Chief Minister recalled that, as Finance Minister, he had announced in the Budget the setting up of 10 Industrial Model Townships (IMTs) across the State. Work is already in progress in Manesar, Bawal, Rohtak, Faridabad, Sohna and Kharkhoda. Ambala, known for its mixer industry and medical equipment manufacturing, is set to further strengthen its industrial profile with two new IMTs.

He said the Naraingarh IMT reflects implementation of the 2025–26 Budget announcements within a year. Under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, he added, the country is moving towards the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”, with Haryana committed to ensuring balanced development across sectors.

Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Sh. Vipul Goel, Chief Secretary, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management, Dr. Sumita Misra, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Managing Director, HSIIDC, Sh. Sushil Sarwan, Deputy Commissioner, Ambala, Sh. Ajay Singh Tomer, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Yashpal, and a large number of farmers, including former chairman, Sh. Pawan Gurjar, Sarpanch, Sh. Ranbir Singh, Sh. Rakesh, Sh. Mukesh Kumar, Sh. Fakir Chand, Sh. Dhaniram, Sh. Vicky and Sh. Krishan Agrawal also remained present during the meeting.

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Haryana Government to Strengthen Focus on E-Governance

Chief Secretary to Review Progress of e-Office, CFMS and HRMS on May 1

Chandigarh, April 29 – Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi will review the implementation and progress of key e-governance systems across various State Government departments on May 1, including e-Office, Annual Confidential Reports (ACR), Centralized File Movement System (CFMS), and Human Resource Management System (HRMS).

During the meeting, department-wise presentations on various HRMS modules will be made to assess the status of modules adopted by each department. Discussions will also be held on pending cases in CFMS and issues related to the introduction of the “Parked Files” category.

All Administrative Secretaries will be asked to ensure the effective implementation of the e-Office system at all levels within their respective departments. In addition, all departments will deliberate on finalizing ACR templates for employees of all categories and integrating them with HRMS.

The meeting will also include discussions on providing rule-based and subject-expert support for the effective functioning of HRMS, so that continuous technical and functional guidance can be ensured.

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Haryana to Conduct State-Level Flood Mock Drill on May 14 Across 13 Vulnerable Districts

Disaster Preparedness Intensifies: Haryana Schedules Statewide Flood Mock Exercise Next Month

Haryana Steps Up Flood Readiness with Multi-Agency Mock Drill in 13 Districts

Chandigarh, April 29 - In a major step towards strengthening disaster preparedness, the Haryana government will conduct a State-level mock exercise on a flood disaster scenario on May 14, 2026, covering 13 flood-prone districts.

Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, informed here today that the exercise is being organized in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as part of the annual State/UT mock exercise calendar for 2026–27.

According to the official communication issued by the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management, the mock exercise will be conducted in four stages to ensure comprehensive preparedness.

The first stage, Orientation and Coordination Conference, will be held on May 6, 2026, through video conferencing, involving officials and stakeholders from the State and district levels. This will be followed by a Table Top Exercise on May 12, where various response scenarios will be discussed and strategies tested. The third and most critical phase, the physical mock drill, will take place on May 14, involving active participation of all concerned agencies on the ground.

Dr. Misra stated that the exercise will be conducted in 13 identified flood-prone districts — Gurugram, Ambala, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sirsa, Sonipat and Yamunanagar.

These districts have been selected due to their proximity to rivers and canals and their geographical vulnerability to flooding, making them critical for preparedness planning.

The primary objective of the exercise is to review disaster management plans and standard operating procedures at the State, district and departmental levels. It will also focus on defining stakeholder roles under the Incident Response System (IRS) and integrating them into the overall response mechanism.

Dr. Misra said the drill will strengthen coordination among district-level emergency support functions and improve communication systems during disaster situations.

The mock exercise will also emphasize building public awareness through media, local bodies, non-governmental organizations and community participation. Authorities aim to identify gaps in resources, logistics, communication and response capacity so that corrective measures can be implemented ahead of the monsoon season, she added.

Dr. Misra highlighted that such exercises are essential to ensure that all stakeholders, from administration to emergency responders, are fully prepared to handle flood situations efficiently. The initiative is expected to enhance the State’s readiness and ensure a coordinated and timely response in the event of an actual disaster.

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India shines at 6th Asian Beach Games: Women’s team wins Gold, Men’s team secures silver

Chandigarh, April 29 – Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar, who is also the President, Haryana Amateur Kabaddi Association, expressed happiness and pride over the outstanding performance of the Indian kabaddi teams at the 6th Asian Beach Games held in Sanya, China. He extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the players for their achievements.

Notably, the Indian women’s kabaddi team created history by winning the gold medal under the captaincy of a Haryana player. The men’s team also performed commendably, securing the silver medal in the tournament.

In the women’s final, India defeated Sri Lanka with a convincing score of 47–31 to clinch the gold medal. Meanwhile, the men’s team finished with a silver medal after facing a 44–31 defeat against Iran in the final.

Haryana’s players made a significant contribution to this historic success. Key performers in the women’s team included Ritu Sheoran from Charkhi Dadri, Manisha Kumari from Hisar, and Nikita from Hassangarh, all of whom brought pride to the state and the nation through their excellent performance. In the men’s category, Neeraj Narwal from Sonipat also delivered an impressive performance. The guidance of team coaches Sh. Rakesh Kumar and Sh. Naseeb Janghu was equally commendable.

Sh. Panwar highlighted that Haryana’s daughters are making a strong mark in sports and said that this victory symbolises their confidence, determination, and dedication. He encouraged young girls across the state to actively participate in sports and bring laurels to the country.

Chairman, Sh. Kuldeep Dalal also expressed pride in the achievement, stating that girls today are excelling in every field and their participation in sports is steadily increasing. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting and promoting girls in sports and assured that such efforts will continue in the future.

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Special Campaign by Haryana Kala Parishad for Preservation of Folk Arts

Creative programmes to be organized for children during summer vacation

Chandigarh, April 29 — In a significant initiative aimed at revitalizing Haryana’s rich cultural heritage, the Haryana Kala Parishad has launched an ambitious campaign to preserve and promote the state’s folk traditions. Director of the Parishad, Sh. Vivek Kalia said the council is continuously working not only to preserve the folk traditions of the state but also to ensure that they are passed on to the younger generation in a vibrant and meaningful way.

He said that Haryana’s folk arts—such as folk dance, folk songs, and folk theatre—are the soul of the state, and it is extremely important to preserve and promote them over time. Keeping this objective in mind, the Parishad is running a comprehensive outreach campaign through which traditional arts will be taken to the masses.

Sh. Kalia further said that this initiative of the Parishad is not limited to preservation alone, but will also serve as a powerful medium to connect the younger generation with their roots. When children engage with these folk arts, they will not only understand their cultural identity but will also develop creativity and self-confidence.

In this series of efforts, special creative programmes will be organized for children during the upcoming summer vacation. Through activities such as painting, theatre, folk dance, and other artistic disciplines, children will get a golden opportunity to polish their talents and present them on stage. This initiative will not only serve as a source of entertainment but will also prove to be an important step towards the holistic development of children.

He also informed that the Parishad will soon launch a digital platform where artists will be able to apply for their performances. Selected artists will be provided advance financial support for their presentations so that they can prepare better and showcase their art with improved quality. This initiative will serve as an encouragement for artists and provide them with both financial and creative support.

Sh. Vivek Kalia expressed confidence that this campaign of Haryana Kala Parishad will not only give a new identity to the state’s cultural heritage but will also provide a strong platform for young talent. This effort will also help establish Haryana’s folk arts at the national and international levels.