Chief Minister to inaugurate Vasant Utsav-2026 in Panchkula on March 13
PMDA, CEO Sh K. Makrand Pandurang reviews preparations, issues directions to officials
Three-day Vasant Utsav to be held at Sector-5 Town Park from March 13 to 15
Event celebrates Haryana’s rich traditions, evolving culture and the joy of spring- Sh K. Makarand Pandurang
Chandigarh March 11- The Chief Executive Officer of the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA), Sh K. Makrand Pandurang, reviewed the preparations for Vasant Utsav-2026 during a meeting with officers of various departments held through video conferencing on Wednesday. Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, Sh. Satpal Sharma also attended the meeting.
Sh K. Makrand Pandurang said that Chief Minister, Sh Nayab Singh Saini, will inaugurate Vasant Utsav-2026 as the chief guest on March 13 and Chief Secretary will attend the closing ceremony on March 15 as the chief guest.
The three-day festival will be organised at the Sector- 5 Town Park from March 13 to 15. Various cultural programmes and activities will be held during the festival.
Sh Pandurang directed officiers concerned to ensure maximum public participation and the smooth organisation of the event. The Additional Chief Executive Officer of PMDA has been appointed as the nodal officer for the Vasant Utsav.
He directed the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) and the Municipal Corporation Panchkula to ensure proper cleanliness at the venue and surrounding areas. The Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) was asked to maintain uninterrupted power supply during the event. The Public Health Engineering Department and the Municipal Corporation were directed to provide an adequate number of mobile toilets. The Police Department will deploy sufficient personnel to maintain law and order and manage parking arrangements during the festival. The Food Safety Officer will monitor the quality of food at the stalls.
The Deputy Commissioner, Sh Satpal Sharma who attended the meeting through video conferencing from the conference hall of Mini Secretariat, Sector-1 assured that the district administration will extend full cooperation for the successful organisation of the festival.
Various competitions and activities to be organised
It was informed in the meeting that several competitions and activities will be organised during Vasant Utsav-2026. These include competitions such as rangoli, painting, face painting, textile cartography, tattoo painting and an environmental quiz on March 13, a mehndi competition, mono acting, hasya Kavi sammelan, fancy dress competition and duet dance competition on March 14 and activities including a baby show, fashion show, pot painting, best out of waste competition, selfie contest, solo singing and folk-dance competition on March 15. Cultural evenings will also be held on all three days, and winners of various competitions will be honoured and rewarded.
Vasant Utsav - a celebration to welcome spring
Vasant Utsav-2026 marks the arrival of the spring season and will feature a vibrant mix of cultural programmes, artistic performances, floral displays, heritage evenings, craft exhibitions, culinary experiences and community gatherings. Sh Pandurang said the festival aims to showcase Haryana’s rich traditions, evolving cultural spirit and the joy of the spring season.
Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Sh Vinay Kumar, Chief Engineer, PMDA, Sh Rajiv Sharma and XEN (Horticulture) PMDA, Smt Nidhi Bhardwaj, along with officials from various departments, were also present in the meeting.
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Haryana and Canada can build strong partnership in innovation and technology: CM Nayab Singh Saini
CM highlights opportunities for collaboration with Canada in AI, startups and education
CM Nayab Singh Saini chairs meeting with delegation of Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, March 11 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini chaired a high-level meeting with a delegation of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce at his residence Sant Kabir Kutir here today. The delegation was led by its President Sh. Prashant Srivastava.
Welcoming members of the delegation, the Chief Minister said that Haryana views the growing cooperation with Canada as a significant opportunity. He noted that in today’s global economy, countries and regions that build partnerships based on knowledge, innovation, and technology are progressing rapidly.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said there are several areas where Haryana and Canada can work together to create a strong model of shared progress and sustainable development. Highlighting potential collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Smart Governance, the Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government is promoting digital and AI-based solutions to make governance more transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric. He added that Canada is among the global leaders in this field and collaboration in areas such as Smart Governance, Data-Driven Decision Making, Healthcare Optimization, and AI-based solutions for the agriculture sector can significantly enhance governance and public service delivery.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the importance of education and skill development. He said that the state government aims to make Haryana’s youth globally competitive. Canada’s systems of Applied Learning, Polytechnic Education, and Simulation-Based Training are internationally recognized, and partnerships in Joint Degree Pathways, Skill Development Programmes, Experiential Learning, and Industry-Integrated Curriculum could create new opportunities for young people.
Referring to agriculture and agri-tech, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that cooperation in areas such as Precision Farming, Post-Harvest Management, Food Processing, and Cold-Chain Infrastructure can help enhance both the productivity and income of farmers in Haryana.
He further said that startups, innovation, and technology entrepreneurship offer another promising area for collaboration. Haryana is steadily moving towards an innovation-driven economy, and Canada’s globally reputed tech startup ecosystem can complement the state’s efforts. Partnerships in incubation support, research collaboration, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship programmes could open new avenues for youth and entrepreneurs from both sides.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the vast potential in the tourism and hospitality sector. He noted that Canada has rich experience in tourism management and high-quality hospitality standards.
Expressing confidence in the future of such engagements, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that this partnership has the potential to become a strong foundation for long-term and institutional cooperation between Haryana and Canada.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also presented a copy of the Bhagavad Gita to the delegation members. The delegation also extended an invitation to the Chief Minister to visit Canada to further promote collaboration and strengthen the India–Canada partnership.
Notably, the Haryana Government has a dedicated Department of Foreign Cooperation, responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral and multilateral relations at the international level, and assistance to the Haryanvi Diaspora. It propagates the state government's vision of transforming Haryana through a 'Go Global Approach'.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary, Foreign Cooperation Department, Amneet P Kumar, Advisor to Chief Minister, Foreign Cooperation, Sh. Pawan Kumar Choudhary, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
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Prescription of Medicines from Outside without valid reason will not be accepted- Health Minister
No Negligence in Patient Care will be Tolerated, says Minister
Health Minister conducts surprise inspection of Civil Hospital, Panchkula, Expresses displeasure over sanitation arrangements
Chandigarh, March 11– Haryana Health Minister, Aarti Singh Rao on Wednesday carried out a surprise inspection of the Civil Hospital located in Sector-6, Panchkula. During the visit, she visited various wards of the hospital, interacted with patients undergoing treatment and sought feedback on the quality of healthcare services. She also issued necessary directions to the Director General, Health Department, and the Civil Surgeon.
During the inspection, the Health Minister visited the emergency ward, labour room, NICU ward, OPD, ICU, ENT and Orthopaedic departments, among other sections of the hospital. She interacted with patients and their attendants and sought information regarding treatment, availability of medicines and other facilities. Most patients expressed satisfaction with the behaviour and services of the doctors and nursing staff.
Aarti Singh Rao also inspected the Jan Aushadhi Centre operating under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana in the hospital and reviewed the availability of medicines there. She directed her staff to visit different counters and verify whether medicines were available as per requirement.
However, the Health Minister expressed dissatisfaction over the hospital’s sanitation and security arrangements. She observed that despite around 16 to 17 sanitation workers being deployed at the hospital, there was no clear record of their assigned duties and workplaces. Taking serious note of the matter, she directed the officials to immediately streamline the system and said that the government is also considering placing the sanitation system under the PPP mode in the future to further improve cleanliness arrangements.
Emphasising that cleanliness in hospitals must be treated as the highest priority, the Minister instructed the Civil Surgeon to ensure that the air-conditioning system in the hospital is properly maintained, particularly keeping the approaching summer season in mind, so that patients coming from distant areas do not face inconvenience.
During the inspection, the Minister also reviewed the security arrangements in the women’s ward and said that ensuring the safety of female patients is of paramount importance. She directed the hospital administration to deploy additional security personnel, wherever required, in the women’s ward and other sensitive areas so that women patients receive treatment in a safe and respectful environment.
The Health Minister also inspected the hospital’s newborn ward and reviewed the arrangements for the care of infants admitted there. During the visit, she appreciated the efforts of the doctors and nursing staff working in the ward, expressing satisfaction over their work.
During the inspection, some patients also complained that medicines were being prescribed from outside the hospital. Taking immediate cognisance of the matter, the Health Minister summoned three doctors and issued strict directions to the hospital administration that medicines available in the hospital must be provided to patients from within the facility itself. She made it clear that prescribing medicines from outside without valid reason will not be tolerated at any cost.
Referring to issues related to the hospital building, the Minister said that complaints had been received regarding water leakage from the ceilings in some wards. She said that she would request Public Works Minister Sh. Ranbir Singh Gangwa to ensure that repair work is carried out at the earliest. She also directed officials to start services in the new hospital building at the earliest.
The Health Minister further said that as per the directions of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, special emphasis is being laid on cleanliness, improved healthcare services and particularly the safety of women in all government hospitals across the state. She also directed the Director General, Health Department, to provide a detailed list of sanitation workers deployed in the hospital** at the earliest.
Later speaking to the media, the Health Minister said that it is the moral responsibility of doctors and healthcare personnel to conduct examinations and treatment of patients with complete honesty and dedication. She said that any negligence in the examination or treatment of patients will not be tolerated.
On this occasion, Director General, Health Department, Dr. Manish Bansal, Civil Surgeon Dr. Mukta Kumar along with doctors and officials from various departments of the hospital, were present.
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Haryana completes selection of 250 PM SHRI schools to strengthen government education
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi reviews progress of PM SHRI schools, stresses quality infrastructure and filling vacant posts
Chandigarh, March 11: Haryana has achieved a significant milestone in strengthening government school education by successfully completing the selection of all 250 schools under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, with institutions being developed as green campuses equipped with modern learning infrastructure and digital classrooms. The achievement positions the state among the leading performers in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, reflecting Haryana’s commitment to transforming government schools into future-ready centres of excellence.
Chairing a detailed review meeting on the financial and academic progress of the scheme here today, Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi expressed satisfaction with the pace of implementation and appreciated the state’s transparent and accountable approach to fund utilisation. He emphasised that PM SHRI schools should evolve into benchmark institutions not only within Haryana but also at the national level.
He said the Government of India provides ₹2 crore fund to each PM SHRI school in the state for infrastructure improvement, covering 21 key components aimed at transforming government schools into modern centres of learning.
He directed that district-level committees be constituted under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners to assess infrastructure and academic requirements of these schools and ensure timely implementation.
"These committees will identify priority works so that funds can be utilised effectively for strengthening educational infrastructure," the Chief Secretary said.
He said that the committee members should visit the schools under their jurisdiction and identify issues and areas that require improvement. He also directed that vacant staff positions in these schools be filled at the earliest to ensure better manpower management and smooth functioning.
*Top Schools to Be Honoured on Independence Day
The Chief Secretary said the three best-performing PM SHRI Schools and three Model Sanskriti Schools in the state will be honoured on Independence Day. The recognition will cover achievements in academic excellence, infrastructure development and innovative teaching practices. He also directed the Education Department to chalk out the procedure for selection of these schools.
*250 Schools Selected Across Haryana
Of the 250 PM SHRI schools, 124 were selected in the first phase, 111 in the second, six in the third and nine in the fifth phase.
Out of 143 blocks in the state, 137 are already covered under the scheme — ensuring balanced access to quality education. The remaining 24 blocks have one PM SHRI school each.
The scheme carries an approved budget of ₹191.69 crore for 2025–26, of which sanctions worth ₹95.87 crore have already been received and expenditure of ₹29.78 crore incurred so far.
*Green Campuses, Smart Classrooms
Under the initiative, selected schools are being upgraded into environment-friendly green campuses in line with the National Education Policy 2020. The upgrades include solar panels, LED lighting, rainwater harvesting, nutrition gardens and plastic-free initiatives, alongside smart classrooms and digital learning tools.
Sh. Rastogi said the PM SHRI initiative would play a crucial role in transforming government schools into model institutions and strengthening the overall quality of education across the state.
Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Sh. Vineet Garg, Joint State Project Director, Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad, Sh. Myank Verma, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
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Supply of Petrol, Diesel and Domestic LPG completely normal
Adequate Stock available with Oil Companies; Gas Supply also being received continuously
Chandigarh, March 11 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, today chaired a key meeting with senior officers of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department. The meeting reviewed the situation arising from rumours about disruption in LPG supply due to the prevailing war-like conditions in the Middle East. Additional Chief Secretary, Sh. Raja Sekhar Vundru, Director General, Sh. Anshaj Singh, and officials of oil companies were also present in the meeting.
During the meeting, it was informed that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, New Delhi, had issued necessary directions on March 9 to ensure the supply of domestic LPG to priority sectors and to maintain its proper and equitable distribution and availability.
Officials of the oil companies informed that the supply of petrol, diesel and domestic LPG is presently completely normal and that adequate stock is available with the oil companies. In addition, gas supplies are being received continuously. However, there is a temporary disruption in the supply of commercial cylinders. Priority in the supply of commercial cylinders is being given to educational institutions and hospitals, while oil companies are making continuous efforts to ensure supply to other sectors as well.
The government has also ensured that the supply of domestic LPG remains uninterrupted. To prevent any form of hoarding or black marketing, necessary directions have been issued to all Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and District Food and Supplies Controllers across the state.
The state government has appealed to the public not to pay attention to rumours regarding LPG supply and to avoid any unnecessary panic or stocking, as the supply of essential petroleum products in the state continues to remain smooth and adequate.
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SIHFW Training Programmes Strengthening Health Services in Haryana- Health Minister
Chandigarh, March 11– Haryana Health Minister, Ms. Arti Singh Rao, said that the State Institute of Health and Family Welfare (SIHFW), Panchkula, functioning under the Haryana Health Department, is playing a significant role in strengthening healthcare services in the state. The institute is regularly organising training and capacity-building programmes for doctors, nurses and other health workers. Health personnel from Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Civil Hospitals participate in these programmes. In addition, training programmes are also being organised in the districts under the supervision of SIHFW.
The Health Minister said that four zonal skill labs have been established in the state to provide health workers with skill-based training and practical exposure. The Rohtak Skill Lab covers the districts of Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonipat, Panipat and Karnal, while the Bhiwani Skill Lab covers Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Hisar, Jind, Fatehabad and Sirsa. Similarly, the Panchkula Skill Lab includes Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra and Kaithal, whereas the Faridabad Skill Lab covers Faridabad, Mahendragarh (Narnaul), Rewari, Nuh, Palwal and Gurugram districts.
She said that the primary objective of these training programmes is to achieve the targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal-3. Under this, the targets include reducing the maternal mortality ratio to 70 per one lakh live births, the neonatal mortality rate to 12 per one thousand live births, and the mortality rate of children under five years of age to 25 per one thousand live births by 2030.
During the current year, 1,211 health workers were trained by SIHFW, Panchkula, while 5,220 health workers were trained at the district level. In addition, five Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes were organised on various subjects, including Pediatric Emergency, Towards Zero Maternal Deaths: Innovation and Intervention, Managing Near Miss Mortality, Immediate Trauma Life Support and Burn Management, and “Neuro Critical Emergency: Brain Waves 2026.”
Furthermore, to promote health awareness and knowledge dissemination, about 18 online training programmes were organised this year, in which 2,441 health workers participated. At present, induction training for 34 Nursing Officers and RTI/STI training for 21 Medical Officers is underway at SIHFW, Panchkula.
The induction training programmes are regularly organised to familiarise newly appointed Medical Officers, Dental Surgeons and Nursing Officers with the functioning of health services, hospital protocols, infection prevention and patient-centred care. In addition, mid-career training programmes are organised for Senior Medical Officers (SMOs), focusing on administrative leadership, clinical governance, medico-legal responsibilities and hospital management.
Considering the important role of nursing staff, mid-career training programmes for staff nurses are also organised to further strengthen their clinical skills and leadership capabilities. Moreover, through Administrative and Financial Management Training (AFMT), senior medical officers are provided knowledge related to administrative and financial management.
To enhance the efficiency of health workers in emergency services, Accident and Emergency Care Services training and Basic Life Support (BLS) courses are also organised regularly. These programmes equip doctors and healthcare workers with the ability to effectively manage trauma, cardiac emergencies and other critical situations.
The Health Minister said that through these comprehensive training programmes, SIHFW Panchkula is continuously strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers in Haryana, thereby ensuring better health services, a stronger public health system and improved health outcomes for citizens in the state.
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CM Nayab Singh Saini Chairs High-Powered Purchase Committee Meeting; Projects Worth ₹657.82 Crore Approved
Approval for Coal Supply and Maintenance at Yamunanagar and Panipat Thermal Power Plants
Judicial Complex to be Built in Bawal at a Cost of ₹18 Crore
Chandigarh, March 11 – A meeting of the High-Powered Purchase Committee was held under the chairmanship of Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. During the meeting, approvals were granted for the purchase of necessary equipment for several departments including Public Health, Public Works Department, Urban Local Bodies, Agriculture, and Power Corporations. In addition, the tender process for several development projects was also completed.
A total of 15 agenda items worth ₹675.82 crore were presented in the meeting. After negotiations, the contracts were finalised for ₹657.82 crore, resulting in savings of approximately ₹68.13 crore for the government.
The Chief Minister directed officials to regularly monitor development projects to ensure timely completion. He also stressed that special attention should be given to the quality of development works. He warned that delays or negligence in quality will not be tolerated. He further instructed officials to complete the tender process on time and said strict action will be taken against any officer found negligent.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister approved the process for automated coal supply and maintenance at the Yamunanagar and Panipat Thermal Power Plants. The process for purchasing 220 KV and 33/11 KV power transformers for DHBVNL was also finalized.
Approval for Drain and Basai Pipeline Work in Gurugram
The Chief Minister also approved the work of laying a pipeline from Basai Water Works to Sector 25 under Railway Line No. 2 in Gurugram, ranging from 1600 mm to 600 mm diameter. This pipeline will be laid at a cost of around ₹55 crore, and the work will start soon with instructions to complete it before the monsoon season. Approval was also granted for laying a pipeline for the boosting station in Sector 16.
In addition, approval was given for the construction of an RCC master drain from Ashok Vihar to the nearby Bhimgarh Kheri Railway Culvert No. 50 for stormwater drainage in Gurugram. This project will cost approximately ₹17.60 crore. The tender process was also completed for setting up a 20 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant in Faridabad, which will cost around ₹41.84 crore.
Capacity of Substations to be Increased
The Chief Minister also approved the installation of 400 KV substations in Dhanonda village of Mahendragarh, Nawada village of Faridabad, and Kirodi village of Hisar. Transformers will be installed at a cost of about ₹157 crore to enhance electricity capacity in areas where power load on existing transformers has increased.
The tender process was also completed for the construction of a Judicial Complex in Bawal, which will be built at a cost of ₹18 crore. Similarly, approval was granted for the work of releasing water from the Kalanwali STP to the Rodi Ghaggar Drain.
During the meeting, Commissioner and Secretary, Infornation, Public Relations and Languages Department was authorized to complete the furniture procurement process for the Shaheed Memorial being constructed in Ambala.
The meeting was attended by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Vipul Goel, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana, Public Health Engineering Minister Ranbir Gangwa, along with several senior officials, including ACS Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, ACS Town and Country Planning A.K. Singh, ACS Agriculture Anurag Agrawal, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Saket Kumar, and other senior officers.