CM attends Gau Seva Samman Samaroh at Panchkula, releases Rs 216.25 crore as fodder subsidy for Gaushalas

Money earned by Panchayats from leasing Gau Charan land will now be utilized for Gaushalas- CM

CM directs officers to prepare a roadmap to empower Gaushalas

Gau Charan land can be provided to Gaushalas for growing fodder according to their requirements, CM

Chandigarh, January 7 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the government has taken a significant step towards the Gauvansh Sanrakshan in the state. He said that the government has decided to earmark all the land designated for Gau Charan across the state, and the money collected by the Panchayats for leasing this land will now be used for the Gaushalas. Directions have also been issued to the officers concerned to prepare a roadmap under which the land designated for Gau Charan can be allocated to Gaushalas according to their needs for growing fodder, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The Chief Minister said this while addressing the gathering at the Gau Seva Samman Samaroh organized in District Panchkula on Tuesday. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister released a fodder grant of Rs 216.25 crore for the Gaushalas. He also facilitated the Gaushalas Sanchalak for becoming self-reliant.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that dedicated efforts are being made by the present state government to make Gaushalas self-reliant. Gaushalas are being encouraged to install biogas plants and technical assistance for this will be provided by the government. Apart from this, the method of promo manure prepared from cow dung will also be shared with the Gaushalas, so that promo manure can be used as an alternative to DAP, he said.

The Chief Minister said that Gaushalas will also be encouraged to make paint from cow dung, phenyl from cow urine, soap, shampoo etc. Marketing support will be provided by the government for the sale of these products. Solar energy plants have been installed in 330 Gaushalas. The work of installing solar power plants in the remaining Gaushalas will also be completed soon so that the Gaushalas can become self-reliant, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The Chief Minister said that the government is providing electricity to the Gaushalas at the rate of Rs 2 per unit. He said that the Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department will promote the indigenous breed of cows under the Gau Samvardhan and Gau Sanrakshan Yojana. This will promote the production of indigenous milk and efforts will be made to get a profitable price for it, he said.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that all the Gauvansh in the state, whether it is Nandi, Gaumata, calf or heifer, will be tagged and this data will be available online, the report of which will be seen by him himself. Our society is once again moving towards the old culture. Today, when it is the birthday of the child or the parents at home, the family members go to the Gaushalas and serve the cows. This is our culture, he said.

State government has taken important steps to promote the development of Gaushalas, Gausanrakshan

The Chief Minister said that the Haryana government has also taken important steps towards the development of Gaushalas, Gausanrakshan and the promotion of natural farming. In the year 2014-15, the budget for Haryana Gau Seva Aayog was only Rs 2 crore. We started increasing the budget as soon as we took responsibility for public service. This year the total budget has been increased to Rs 510 crore, he said.

The Chief Minister said that till the year 2014, there were only 1.74 lakh cows in 215 registered gaushalas in Haryana. But at present there are 683 registered Gaushalas in the state, in which about 4.50 lakh cows are being kept, he shared.

Financial assistance given to Gaushalas for Gausanrakshan

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Haryana government has given a grant of about Rs 270 crore for fodder to registered Gaushalas in the last 10 years. Apart from this, a grant of Rs 30 crore has been given for the construction of about 350 sheds and fodder warehouses, he said.

The Chief Minister further informed that in this financial year, about Rs 66 crore has been released to 608 Gaushalas for the purchase of fodder. Not only this, an earlier 1 per cent fee was charged from the Gaushalas on the registration of land, but now the new Gaushalas will not have to pay any stamp duty on the registration of land, he informed.

The Chief Minister said that the Gaushalas were facing difficulties due to a lack of proper arrangements for veterinarians to check the health of the cows. This problem has also been resolved. A veterinarian will do duty in the Gaushalas one day a week. Along with this, the services of mobile veterinary hospitals are also being made available to the Gaushalas, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that it is everyone's priority to free the state from stray cattle. He said that stray cattle often cause accidents. Now the Gaushala that catch these stray calves and heifers will be paid at the rate of Rs. 300, Rs. 600 for a cow and Rs. 800 for a Nandi, he informed.

The Chief Minister called upon the Gau Sevaks, who had come to the function to make all the farmers aware of natural farming. He said that today, due to the excessive use of pesticides by farmers in the fields, along with mankind, cattle are also getting adversely affected in the form of fodder. Therefore, natural farming is the only solution to this, he said.

State government committed to Gau Shanrakshan- Shyam Singh Rana

Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that the state government is committed to Gau Vansh Sanrakshan. Today, the annual milk production in Haryana has reached 122 lakh tonnes and the state ranks third in the country in terms of milk availability per person per day. He said that Haryana is the first state in the country to use a combined vaccine to free animals from foot and mouth disease. Pashudhan Bima Yojana is being implemented for livestock owners.

Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that the state government has laid special emphasis on the promotion of indigenous breeds of Sahiwal and Belahi cows. He said that a strict law, Haryana Gau Vansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act-2015, has been implemented for the protection of cows. This law provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years for individuals involved in cow slaughter and up to 7 years of imprisonment for those involved in illegal cow trafficking, said Sh. Shyam Singh Rana.

Haryana will be the first stray cattle-free state in the country - Swami Gyananand Maharaj Ji

On this occasion, Gita Manishi Swami Sh. Gyananand Ji Maharaj said that today’s programme is proof that for Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini and the present state government, cows are not just a political issue, not merely an election topic, and not a tool to garner votes by making announcements in the name of cows. Instead, it is a matter of faith. That is why today’s event has been named ‘Gau Seva Samman Samaroh’, he said.

Sh. Gyananand Ji Maharaj said that many cow devotees are giving proper respect to stray cattle, and at the same time, they are making various products through Panchgavya (five products of the cow) and working towards making Gaushalas self-reliant. He further said that today’s programme will serve as a medium to make Haryana the first stray cattle-free state in the country.

BJP Government has consistently increased the budget for cattle - Shrawan Garg

During the ceremony, Chairman of Haryana Gau Seva Aayog, Sh. Shrawan Garg said that under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the present state Government is undertaking numerous initiatives for the protection of cattle. Presently, there are 683 registered Gaushalas in Haryana, where approximately 4.50 lakh cattle are being taken care of, whereas, during the Congress government's tenure in 2013-14, only 215 Gaushalas were registered in the state, housing 1.75 lakh cattle.

Sh. Shrawan Garg said that over the last 10 years, stray cattle have consistently been caught and kept safely in Gaushalas. During Congress's time, the budget for Gaushalas was just Rs 2 crore, whereas in the past 10 years, the BJP government has increased the budget to Rs 510 crore.

MLA Sh. Randhir Panihar, Panchkula Mayor, Sh. Kulbhushan Goyal, Chairman, Haryana Livestock Development Board, Sh. Dharmveer Mirzapur, Vice Chairman, Haryana Gau Seva Aayog, Sh. Puran Yadav, OSD to Chief Minister, Sh. Bharat Bhushan Bharti also remained present on this occasion.

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Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil in New Delhi

New Plan for Yamuna's surplus water discussed with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma under the chairmanship of Union Minister

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that a joint task force comprising officials from Haryana and Rajasthan will be formed soon

The task force will prepare the DPR of the project to make Yamuna's surplus water available to Rajasthan

On the demand of the Chief Minister, a team of experts will be sent by the Center to solve the problem of Sem in various parts of the state

Chandigarh, 7 January – A joint meeting between Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini and Rajasthan Chief Minister Sh Bhajan Lal Sharma was held under the chairmanship of Union Jal Shakti Minister Sh CR Patil in New Delhi today. In the meeting, the issue of providing surplus water of Yamuna river from Hathnikund to Rajasthan was discussed.

Giving information after the meeting, Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that a detailed discussion took place regarding the provision of surplus water from the Yamuna River to Rajasthan. A joint task force comprising officials from both Haryana and Rajasthan will soon be formed to work on this matter. This task force will prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed scheme in the coming days. He mentioned that during the rainy season, surplus water flows in the Yamuna, and this scheme would facilitate the use of that water for drinking water supply in various districts of Rajasthan. The Upper Yamuna River Board will also provide technical support for the successful implementation of this scheme.

The Chief Minister informed that an MoU has already been signed between the two states under the initiative of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. Further action on this MoU was discussed in today’s meeting. During the meeting, the Chief Minister also requested technical support from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti to address the ‘issue of Sem’ (an issue where the groundwater of the lands comes up and the land becomes a swamp and marshy area) in various areas of Haryana. In response, Union Minister for Jal Shakti Sh CR Patil assured that a technical team would be sent to the state soon to assist in resolving the issue.

Secretary Ashok Kumar Meena, Additional Secretary Rakesh Kumar Verma from the Ministry of Jal Shakti and officials of the Rajasthan Government and Upper Yamuna River Board were also present on this occasion.

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NEW APPOINTMENTS WITH CM HARYANA

Chandigarh, January 7 – The Haryana Government has appointed Sh Virender Singh as Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister with immediate effect. In addition, the government has appointed Sh Tarun Bhandari as the Political Secretary to the Chief Minister. Furthermore, Sh Praveen Attrey has been appointed as the Media Secretary.

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CM to flag off Haryana delegation for National Youth Festival from Chandigarh

75 youth from Haryana to participate

Chandigarh, January 7- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini will flag off a group of participants of the National Youth Festival on January 8, 2025 from Chandigarh.

Sharing information in this regard an official spokesperson said that the National Youth Festival will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi from January 10 to 12 at 12:00 noon, with a delegation of 75 participants from Haryana .

The spokesperson said that under the aegis of Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Department, Haryana, the Directorate of Skill Development and Industrial Training organised district-level youth festivals across all 22 districts of Haryana in November 2024. Approximately 6,000 youth participated and showcased their talent in various competitions. Following this, a State youth festival was organised in Palwal from January 3 to 5, 2025 with around 1,000 participants who secured first place in their respective districts.

This year, the theme of the National Youth Festival is “Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue”, aiming to provide a platform for nearly 1 lakh youth from across the country. The event aligns with the Prime Minister's vision of increasing youth participation in politics.

The spokesperson further stated that the Haryana delegation for the National Youth Festival consists of 30 winners from state-level competitions in categories such as folk songs (group), folk dances (group), speech, story writing, painting, poetry, and innovation in science and technology (individual and group). Besides this, 45 participants will represent the“Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue”category, making up a total of 75 participants.

The Chief Minister will flag off this delegation on January 8 at 12:00 noon from Chandigarh to Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Notably, Haryana had achieved second place at the 27th National Youth Festival held in Nashik, Maharashtra, last year.

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Training period for newly selected Patwaris reduced to one year, Now included as part of service - CM

Chief Minister made this announcement during State level conference of 2605 newly selected Patwaris

Patwaris should address public issues with honesty and transparency - Chief Minister

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, Haryana became the first State to grant job rights based on merit

Chandigarh, January 7 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh Nayab Singh Saini today announced a reduction in the training period for newly selected Patwaris from one and a half years to one year. He also said that, from now on, the training period will be counted as part of the Patwari's service, and their official service will commence from the day they join the department.

The Chief Minister made this announcement while addressing the state-level conference of 2,605 newly selected Patwaris held in Panchkula today.

Congratulating the newly selected Patwaris, the Chief Minister remarked that this is the first time in the state’s history that 2,605 new Patwaris have been recruited simultaneously. He urged all the Patwaris to uphold the values of honesty and transparency, and to work towards resolving the issues of the common people by establishing dialogue with the public. Besides this, both technical and administrative innovations should be adopted to streamline and enhance the effectiveness of all departmental processes.

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, Haryana became the first State to grant job rights based on merit

Referring to the corruption in jobs in Haryana under previous governments, the Chief Minister said that in the past, the list of candidates in government jobs used to make headlines in newspapers even before it was officialy released. This system deprived eligible youth of job opportunities. He said that the current government, under the able guidance of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, has overhauled this corrupt system. Today, youth from poor families are securing HCS recruitment based on merit, without any kharchi-parchi. No longer does any youth need to approach an MLA or minister for a job. The present government has honoured the hard work of the youth by establishing a transparent recruitment process. This merit-based right to jobs, without kharchi-parchi, has been made possible by the current government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, he added.

The Chief Minister further mentioned that during the assembly elections, he had promised to provide government jobs to 24,000 youth before taking the oath of office again, and he has successfully fulfilled this promise. He added that today, the youth firmly believe that jobs are earned through education and hard work, not through connections.

Patwari's role is important in ensuring farmers receive compensation

The Chief Minister also highlighted the important role of Patwaris in providing relief to farmers during natural disasters such as heavy rainfall, hailstorms, droughts, and more. He said that in the past, there was a time when eligible farmers often did not receive compensation for crop losses, while ineligible individuals did. However, in today’s era of digitalization, there is also the facility of drones and satellites for this purpose. He said that it is now the Patwari's responsibility to provide accurate data to the government, ensuring that affected farmers receive timely and appropriate compensation.

The Chief Minister further said that the responsibility entrusted to Patwaris is not merely a job, but a service. Expressing his expectations, he said that their hard work, dedication, and honesty would play a pivotal role in the state's development.

Patwaris to work towards advancing the CM's vision of Nonstop Haryana - Vipul Goyal

On this occasion, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sh Vipul Goyal said that Haryana's land record is among the best in the country and the Haryana government is continually working to update it. He highlighted the important role of Patwaris in this process. He mentioned that just as the Haryana government has selected you based on your eligibility and ability, you should also serve the public with the same honesty, hard work, and dedication. He further said that under the Swamitva Yojana, the government is granting ownership rights to Lal Dora and other land within villages, with Patwaris playing a crucial role in ensuring that eligible individuals benefit in the right manner. The Minister added that the current state government has provided 1,71,000 jobs to youth based on transparency. He expressed confidence that all newly appointed Patwaris will contribute to advancing the Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini's vision of a Nonstop Haryana and help propel it forward.

Finance Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Sh Anurag Rastogi, while emphasizing the functioning and digitalization of the department, expressed confidence that all newly selected Patwaris will play a significant role in the state's development by mastering their duties during the training period.

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Sh Shyam Singh Rana, MLA Smt. Shakti Rani Sharma, Panchkula Mayor Sh Kulbhushan Goyal and other dignitaries were also present on this occasion.

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State Government Committed to Promote Cow Protection and Organic Farming: Shri Shyam Singh Rana

Announces Major Initiatives for Cow Welfare and Livestock Protection

Chandigarh, January 7– Haryana Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister, Shri Shyam Singh Rana, reaffirmed the state government's commitment to promoting cow service, livestock protection, and organic farming. During the Gau Seva Samman ceremony in Panchkula, he highlighted several new schemes aimed at furthering these objectives.

The Minister expressed that Haryana has made significant strides in cow protection and animal husbandry. He said that the state government is dedicated to ensure the welfare and protection of cows and is committed to fostering organic farming practices through the promotion of cow-based products.

"Cows hold great cultural and scientific value. Their milk has proven beneficial in treating chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease," said Shri Shyam Singh Rana. "The tireless efforts of our cattle breeders and farmers have contributed to Haryana’s impressive achievement of an annual milk production of 122 lakh tonnes, placing the state third in the nation. Haryana also leads with a per capita milk availability of 1,105 grams per day, far surpassing the national average of 471 grams."

Haryana continues to lead the nation in veterinary health measures. It was the first state to implement a combined vaccine to protect animals from diseases like foot-and-mouth disease and galghotu. Additionally, the state has launched a special initiative to eliminate Brucella disease by 2030.

The state has also introduced the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Samuh Pashudhan Bima Yojana, offering affordable insurance for livestock. Large animals are insured for just Rs.100 to Rs. 300, while small animals are covered for Rs. 25. Notably, this insurance is provided free of charge to Scheduled Caste cattle farmers.

Incentives are also being offered to promote the conservation of indigenous cow breeds such as Haryana, Sahiwal, and Belahi, with rewards of up to Rs. 20,000 for outstanding specimens. These breeds, known for their adaptability to the state’s climate and their resistance to diseases, are key to sustainable livestock farming.

To support self-sufficiency in cow shelters, the Haryana Gauvansh Anusandhan Kendra has been established in Sukhdarshanpur, Panchkula. Here, products like organic paints, havan samagri, pots, bricks, and diyas are being produced using cow dung and urine. The state government is providing grants to support the production of these eco-friendly products.

The Minister also highlighted the rapid growth in the number of registered cow shelters in the state. While only 215 shelters existed in 2014, today, the number has surged to 683, housing approximately 4.5 lakh destitute cows. The Haryana Gau Seva Commission has been allocated Rs. 510 crore in the 2024-25 budget, a significant increase from Rs. 2 crore in 2014-15.

Shri Rana informed that cow dung and urine are proving invaluable to organic farming. Vermicompost made from cow dung serves as an excellent substitute for chemical fertilizers, improving soil fertility and plant disease resistance.

Furthermore, the Gau-Vansh Sanrakshan and Gau Samvardhan Act-2015 mandates severe penalties for cow slaughter, including up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh. The Minister urged representatives of cow shelters to collaborate in ensuring the success of the state’s Beshara Gauvansh Mukt Haryana Abhiyan (Campaign for a Cow Slaughter-Free Haryana).

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Surajkund Mela plays a vital role in showcasing our cultural heritage on the global stage

International Crafts Mela to be held at Surajkund from February 7 to 23

Chandigarh, January 7-Principal Secretary, Heritage and Tourism Department Haryana, Smt. Kala Ramachandran said that Haryana has preserved its rich cultural and historical heritage. The Surajkund Mela, held in Haryana, plays a significant role in bringing this heritage to an international platform.

Smt. Ramachandran was addressing a review meeting with officers from Faridabad district administration today regarding preparations for the 38th Surajkund International Crafts Mela. The Mela will take place at the Surajkund complex in Faridabad from February 7 to 23,2025.

She said that it is a matter of pride for Haryana to effectively host an event of international significance. This year, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh have been selected as theme states for the 38th Surajkund International Crafts Mela. Besides this, BIMSTEC nations—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are the international organisations and North East Handloom and Handicrafts Association is the cultural partner of the Mela, along with Delhi Metro will be the ticketing partner for the event. The Mela will be fully digitised, and all relevant information about it will be available on surajkundmela.com, she added.

Under the guidance of Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, extensive preparations are underway to ensure the grand success of the Mela. During the event, scheduled from February 7 to 23, Haryana's rich culture will be shared with other states and BIMSTEC nations. At the same time, Haryana residents will get an opportunity to experience the diverse cultures of these regions.

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PGIMER Launches "Project Saarathi" to Assist Patients

Chandigarh January 7- The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has launched "Project Saarathi," a volunteer-based program aimed at improving patient navigation within the hospital. This initiative is designed to assist first-time visitors, who often face challenges navigating the large campus and accessing various services.

In this regard, Director PGIMER and Professor of Neurology, Prof. Vivek Lal has addressed a letter to the Haryana Chief Secretary, Mr. Vivek Joshi, seeking support for the widespread promotion of "Project Saarathi" throughout the state. The institute seeks assistance in mobilizing District Collectors and public representatives to raise awareness about the program among the public.

Director PGI and Professor of Neurology, Prof. Vivek Lal informed that "Project Saarathi" involves the participation of NSS students and NGOs, who volunteer their time to guide patients, reduce waiting times, and improve the overall patient experience. An impact study conducted by the PGIMER has shown promising results, with the average waiting time in Outpatient Departments (OPDs) decreasing significantly since the program's inception in May 2024.

The Haryana Government has applauded PGIMER's efforts in launching "Project Saarathi." Recognizing the significance of this program in improving patient care, the state government has assured full assistance in its implementation. This includes actively promoting the program through various channels and collaborating with local authorities to ensure its successful outreach, an official spokesperson said.

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PROMOTIONS

Chandigarh, January 7- Haryana government has promoted four Personal Assistants of Haryana Civil Secretariat to the post of Private Secretary.

The promoted individuals include Sh. Bijender, Sh. Deepak Kumar, Sh. Rajender Kumar and Sh. Sandeep.

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Haryana will achieve Swachh Bharat Mission goals – Development and Panchayat Minister Krishan Lal Panwar

Chandigarh, January 7 – Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar, participated in a meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister, Sh. C.R. Patil, in New Delhi today.

During the meeting, Sh. Panwar assured the Union Minister that Haryana will be the first state in the country to achieve the targets set for states under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural). He stated that 100 percent of rural households in Haryana have been provided with toilet facilities, and water supply has been ensured in every home with ‘Har Ghar Nal Se Jal’ scheme.

He said that a special cleanliness campaign was conducted in the state from July 1 to August 15, 2024, to promote community participation. Over 3 lakh people actively took part in this campaign. Haryana has a total of 6,619 villages, out of which 6,419 have been declared ODF Plus villages, out of which 2,500 ODF Plus Model Villages. Districts such as Mahendragarh, Hisar, Ambala, Fatehabad, Jhajjar, Nuh, Yamunanagar, Palwal, and Gurugram have over 80 percent villages categorised as ODF Plus Model Villages.

For the financial year 2024-25, 193 villages have been declared ODFPlus, 1,272 villages as ODF Plus Model Villages, and 1,855 ODF Plus Model Villages have been verified. Besides this, solid waste management has been implemented in over 65 percent of villages under the Swachh Bharat Mission, he added.

Sh. Panwar urged the Union Minister to release funds from the central government to further accelerate the Swachh Bharat Mission initiatives in the state. He said that while the target for cleanliness under the 15th Finance Commission was Rs.229.6 crore for 2024-25, the state has already spent Rs.373 crore.

Commissioner and Secretary, Rural development Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, along with other officers remained present during the meeting.

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Haryana to provide free FTTH internet connections to govt institutions in Gram Panchayats

Project aims to empower rural communities by providing them access to high-speed internet services

Chandigarh, January 7 - Taking a big step towards Digital India, the Haryana Government has launched an ambitious project in collaboration with BSNL to provide free Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) internet connections to government institutions in the Gram Panchayats of the state. Under this programme, the BSNL has successfully installed 31,741 connections till December 31, 2024.

Chief Secretary Dr Vivek Joshi chaired the second meeting of the State Broadband Committee here today wherein it was informed that this project worth Rs 130 crore has been jointly funded by the Central and State Governments. The initiative aims to enhance digital connectivity and empower rural communities by providing them access to high-speed internet services. Each Gram Panchayat will be provided 10 FTTH connections for two years from the date of installation. The connections are being provided free of cost, which will significantly improve digital access for government functions.

The issues discussed in the meeting today also included implementation of Right of Way (RoW) Rules 2024 with RoW charges and functionality alignment as per RoW Rules 2024 in the existing Invest Haryana portal, implementation of RoW application status and deemed approval, Call Before You Dig (CBUD) initiative, implementation of Digital Communication Readiness Index (DCRI), Green Energy Open Access and Composite Billing, uploading of street furniture data on Gati Shakti portal of State Master Plan for 5G rollout, implementation of 5G form for street furniture RoW applications by service providers and expansion of Bharat-Net services through BSNL for providing FTTH.

The meeting was informed that Digital Communication Readiness Index (DCRI) has been started. In line with the initiative, a Hartron team in collaboration with Haryana Enterprises Promotion Centre (HEPC) has developed and tested 5G deployment forms for Street Furniture Right of Way (ROW) Application. These forms have been successfully tested on staging server and integrated with central ROW portal in collaboration with technical team of Department of Telecommunication.

Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (Buildings & Roads) Department, Sh. Anurag Agarwal, Commissioner & Secretary, Citizen Information Resources Department, Sh. Vikas Gupta and Special Secretary, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, Sh. Ajay Singh Tomer along with senior officials of BSNL and related departments were present in the meeting.

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Chief Secretary Office issues advisory on fire safety, power saving measures in Civil Secretariat

Chandigarh, January 7 – The Haryana Chief Secretary Office has issued an advisory with regard to fire safety measures in the Haryana Civil Secretariat.

In an order issued on Tuesday, the Chief Secretary Office has said that it has been found during inspection that several electrical appliances like tube lights, computers/UPS, printers, oil heaters, heat pillars, room heaters and electric kettles were found in running mode. Such type of carelessness is resulting into wastage of electricity, which is likely to attribute to high electricity bill and may lead to damage of electrical equipment as well as fire incidents.

All officials and officers of Haryana Civil Secretariat have been requested to ensure that all the electric points should be switched off while not in use and while leaving the office, this being their moral responsibility. The order further states that the branch in charge shall be held responsible for any ignorance of this circular.

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People of the State Need Not Worry About HMPV: Ms. Arti Singh Rao

Haryana Health Department Fully Prepared and Alert

Chandigarh, January 7 – Haryana Health Minister, Ms. Arti Singh Rao, reassured the public that there have been no reported cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in the state. However, she emphasized that the health department is fully alert and prepared for any eventualities. The Minister has directed all civil surgeons to make necessary arrangements for the treatment of influenza, HMPV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and other respiratory diseases.

In a statement issued here today, the Health Minister shared that, under her instructions, an advisory has been issued by the Director General Health Services to civil surgeons. The advisory urges them to remain vigilant in their respective areas concerning these diseases, including HMPV, and ensure preparedness. All health centers are to establish designated flu corners. Additionally, District Health Officers are tasked with ensuring these centers are stocked with adequate medicines, equipment, oxygen, and ventilators, with trained staff assigned on continuous rotation.

Ms. Arti Singh Rao further informed that the in-charges of flu corners have been instructed to ensure the availability of medications such as Oseltamivir (75mg, 45mg, 30mg) and syrup, along with necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), N-95 masks, reagent kits, and viral transport media (VTM). Furthermore, the District Health Officer is to ensure that dedicated beds are available for seasonal influenza and other respiratory diseases at these specialized centers. She also emphasized the importance of frequent handwashing by healthcare workers and urged anyone exhibiting symptoms like cough or cold to wear masks.

The Health Minister urged each District Surveillance Unit to monitor trends of influenza-like symptoms and severe respiratory issues within their jurisdiction. In the case of severe symptoms, they are instructed to test samples as necessary. To increase awareness, the Minister has directed a ramp-up of public education initiatives, focusing on respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene, particularly during the winter season.

Special attention has been given to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and pregnant women. Ms. Arti Singh Rao has also instructed the civil surgeons to hold regular consultations with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and report updates daily to the department.

What is Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)?

Dr. Manish Bansal, Director General Health Services, explained that Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a virus that can lead to respiratory infections in individuals of all ages. Symptoms typically include cough, fever, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, and bronchitis, with severe cases potentially leading to pneumonia.

HMPV spreads through droplets from coughing or sneezing, close personal contact (e.g., touching or shaking hands), or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.

Dr. Bansal reassured the public that most cases of HMPV resolve on their own within 2-5 days. He recommended supportive care, including staying hydrated, resting, and taking medication to alleviate pain and respiratory symptoms. At present, there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for HMPV.

To prevent infection, Dr. Bansal advised the public to frequently wash their hands with soap and water, avoid touching the face with unwashed hands, maintain distance from sick individuals, cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, and stay home if feeling unwell.

Dr. Bansal emphasized that influenza, HMPV, and RSV are commoncauses of respiratory infections, particularly during the winter months.