*Over 5,000 families get relief through efforts of Haryana Right to Service Commission*

Chandigarh, May 7- As a result of the continuous efforts of the Haryana Right to Service Commission, financial assistance has been provided to 5,192 eligible families under the first phase of the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS). This scheme, run by the Central Government, offers Rs.20,000 as financial support to families that have lost their breadwinner.

Sharing information in this regard a spokesperson from the Commission said that matter came to the Commission’s notice that around 14,805 families in Haryana had been waiting for over two years to receive the assistance amount under this scheme. It was found that the delay in disbursement during 2022 was mainly due to technical issues in the proposals sent by the State Government to the Centre, especially errors in the formatting of the usability certificates. Due to this issue the Central Government couldn’t release the funds on time.

Giving priority to this serious issue, the Commission corresponded directly with the Government of India. As a result of this intervention, the first installment of funds was released in February 2025. The spokesperson said that the Commission is now actively working to provide assistance to the remaining beneficiaries as well.

The spokesperson further said that the Commission is working to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive their rightful support with dignity and without any delay. This case stands as an example of how responsible institutions can bring effective and meaningful results for the public.

==============================

*Haryana Conducts Mega Civil Defence Drill, ACS Dr. Sumita Misra Oversees Operations from Panchkula*

*Citizens Must Follow Guidelines Issued By District Administration, No Need To Panic: Dr. Sumita Misra*

Chandigarh, May 7 – Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Dr. Sumita Misra monitored the Civil Defence Mock Drill held in the state today from the control room set up in Panchkula under ‘Operation Abhyas’. During this, she also took detailed information about the phone calls coming on Dial 112 and gave necessary instructions to officials.

Dr. Misra said this mock drill is to prepare oneself for an emergency situation. There is no need for any citizen to panic or worry. She appealed to the people to follow the information given from time to time by the district administration officials and keep themselves ready to deal with any exigency. She said the situation is absolutely peaceful at present.

While talking to journalists, she said the mock drill has been conducted in the entire state today and the live feed of the entire state is being monitored from the control room. At several places, the mock drills have been conducted in malls while at others, this exercise has been conducted in the district secretariats. She said this is a comprehensive exercise going on in all the districts. She emphasized the importance of such mock drills in enhancing disaster readiness and ensuring public safety during emergencies.

She further informed that Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has directed that the mock drill carried out today throughout the state will be conducted regularly on the 7th of May every year to ensure 3 P’s - Preparation, Precaution and No Panic.

Dr. Misra appealed to people to follow the Do’s and Don’ts as communicated by the district administration. She said the purpose of mock drill is preparation and vigilance. Therefore, there is no need for people to panic.

============================

Haryana Launches Statewide Mock Drill Under ‘Operation Abhyas’ to Strengthen Disaster Preparedness

Chandigarh, May 7 – Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi today chaired an important meeting to review the arrangements for the mock drill under 'Operation Abhyas,' which will be conducted across all 22 districts of Haryana at 4:00 pm today. In alignment with this exercise, the general public has been requested to switch off all lights in their homes from 7:50 pm to 8:00 pm as a part of the drill.

During the meeting, Sh. Rastogi issued comprehensive directives to all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) regarding the operational aspects of the mock drill. He emphasized that the exercise would commence at key government installations, public sector units (PSUs), and other critical sites. DCs have been instructed to activate their civil defence systems as part of this coordinated response.

The mock drill will be a joint effort involving Home Guards, Civil Defence volunteers, the police, NCC officers, and Aapada Mitras. The Chief Secretary reiterated that the aim of the exercise is preparation and precaution, not panic. He urged DCs to hold press conferences and inform the public that this is merely a preparatory drill, reassuring them there is no cause for concern.

Sh. Rastogi further instructed the DCs to encourage the public to promptly report any suspicious activities in their respective areas to the police and local authorities. Community leaders and prominent local figures should also be involved to help disseminate crucial information about the 'Dos and Don’ts' during the drill.

Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Dr. Sumita Misra said the Civil Defence Mock Drill was mandated for 11 districts of Haryana but to strengthen Haryana’s preparedness, the mock drill will be conducted in all districts of the state, which will start at 4 pm with the sounding of a siren. She said the State Government has formally implemented the Incident Response System (IRS) at both District and State levels under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. This initiative, which was notified on January 28, 2025, aims to streamline the response mechanism, reduce confusion during emergency situations, and minimize reliance on ad-hoc measures. As part of the IRS structure, the Chief Secretary will serve as the Responsible Officer (RO), with the Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR) and Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) for Revenue designated as the Incident Commander (IC). Key roles, including District Incident Coordinators (DIC), Nodal Officers, Safety Officers, Liaison Officers, and Information and Media Officers, have also been appointed at the state level to ensure effective communication and coordination.

She also directed DCs to ensure all fire services and trauma centres are ready to deal with any emergency. She said the drill aims to prepare the civilian population for any exigency and reduce the potential of mass panic during such dire / hostile situation. She informed that blackout drill will be conducted across the state from 7.50 pm to 8 pm during which the general public is advised to stay indoors and away from windows. If you are driving, then park your vehicle on the side and turn off the lights. Stay wherever you are and do not move here and there. Turn off all indoor and outdoor lights during alerts including disconnecting the inverter or alternative power supply. She informed that evacuation, fire safety exercises and implementation of Air Raid Warning System will also be ensured during Operation Abhyas.

=======================================

Commission does not recognise any private coaching institute: Bhupender Chauhan

Chandigarh, May 7 – Member of Haryana Staff Selection Commission, Sh. Bhupender Chauhan said that the Commission does not recognize any private coaching institute. It has recently come to his notice that some coaching institutes are misusing the Commission’s name to mislead candidates. Clarifying on the matter, he stated that such institutes are neither recognised nor affiliated with the Commission in any way.

Sh. Chauhan said that if any institute misuses the Commission’s name or tries to mislead students, it is legally wrong, and the Commission will take legal action against such acts. He said that coaching institutes should avoid misleading the candidates.

Besides this he said that, Haryana government has recently implemented the Haryana Private Coaching Institutes Registration and Regulation Act, 2024. Under this Act, it will be mandatory for all private coaching institutes in the state to register themselves and follow the guidelines set in the Act.

The Commission has appealed to all candidates to carefully read the guidelines of the Act before enrolling in any coaching institute. The aim of this Act is to protect the interests of students and ensure transparency.

=============================================

DCs to prepare agenda for monthly coordination meetings of departments and officers

Regular monthly coordination meetings will also be held in cities having Metropolitan Development Authorities

Chandigarh, May 7- The Haryana Government has decided that except Deputy Commissioners of District Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Panchkula and Hisar, all other DCs will prepare agendas in consultation with District Municipal Commissioner for inter-agency coordination of issues like solid waste management, storm water disposal, drinking water and sewerage issues in cities and towns of Haryana. The Deputy Commissioners will place the agenda before the Administrative Secretary for discussion and finding solutions of the issues.

Instructions in this regard have been issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi. The government has also decided that monthly meetings of GMDA, FMDA and SMDA will be chaired by the Principal Advisor, Urban Development. The monthly meetings of PMDA will be held under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Town and Country Planning Department, while the monthly meetings of HMDA will be held under the chairmanship of Administrative Secretary in charge, Hisar.

The agenda and minutes of the meetings will be prepared by the Chief Executive Officers of the respective Metropolitan Development Authorities and will be placed in the meeting of the Metropolitan Development Authority.

The government has taken this decision in continuation of the instructions issued on March 17, 2025. It was informed in those instructions that considering the multiplicity of agencies and coordination related issues in the towns and cities of the state, the government has decided that the most senior officer posted in any one of the District Administration, Municipal Corporation, Metropolitan Development Authority and Urban Development Authority will be the overall coordination officer. He will also preside over the review meetings of the officers of various agencies posted in that city for issues related to inter-agency coordination such as solid waste management, storm water drainage, drinking water and sewerage.

=============================================

*Encourage farmers to adopt vertical farming in horticulture: Shyam Singh Rana chairs meeting of Haryana State Horticulture Development Agency*

Chandigarh May 7: Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh Shyam Singh Rana directed officers to promote vertical farming in horticulture among farmers as a solution to shrinking land holdings, emphasizing its potential to generate higher income from smaller areas.

Sh Rana was chairing the second General Body meeting of the Haryana State Horticulture Development Agency, constituted under the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission, in Chandigarh today.

Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Horticulture Department, Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, Director General of the Horticulture Department, Sh Ranbir Singh, Head of Department Dr. Arjun Saini, along with various officers and members of the agency were also present in the meeting.

Sh Shyam Singh Rana stated that, under the guidance of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and the leadership of Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini, the state government is committed to farmer welfare. He emphasized that the Chief Minister envisions doubling farmers' incomes, and the government is actively working toward this goal.

He said that agriculture has the potential to eliminate unemployment if it becomes a profitable venture. He instructed officers to familiarize farmers with modern agricultural techniques, modeled on practices in Israel and Japan, to achieve higher yields using less water and fewer chemical fertilizers.

The Agriculture Minister urged officers to make full and efficient use of the horticulture sector budget allocated in the general budget. He emphasized the importance of setting clear targets and ensuring timely completion of projects. He also directed that subsidies be promptly transferred to farmers’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

During the meeting, officers informed Sh Rana that around 400 horticulture clusters of vegetables and fruits have been identified across the state. Farmers and farmer groups in these clusters will be provided subsidy for establishing pack houses.

He was also informed that in southern Haryana, date palm cultivation is being promoted due to its low water requirement, with a subsidy of Rs 1.60 lakh per hectare offered under the Integrated Horticulture Development Scheme. Additionally, mushroom cultivation is being encouraged, with a dedicated mushroom cluster under development in Sonipat. Apart from this, farmers are being encouraged to cultivate mushrooms in other districts also.

On this occasion, the Agriculture Minister reviewed the financial reports from the past three years under the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission scheme and examined the allocation and expenditure of funds across various categories. He also assessed the physical and financial progress in areas such as seed production, establishment and maintenance of orchards, mushroom cultivation, horticulture mechanization, centers of excellence, beekeeping, and other related initiatives.

During the meeting, Sh Shyam Singh Rana listened to the concerns of farmers who are also the members of the Haryana State Horticulture Development Agency, from various districts. He directed officers to take constructive action on their suggestions. Additionally, he urged officers to encourage Gram Panchayats to plant fruit trees on Panchayat land to promote horticulture at the community level.

=====================================

*Health Minister Arti Singh Rao hears public grievances in Palwal, issues necessary directions*

Chandigarh, May 7 - As per the instructions of the Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the tied and untied funds under HRDF for development in the Gram Panchayats will be provided only after the accounting of the previous fund. Therefore, the officers must bring the complete details of the funds spent in the Gram Panchayats till now in the next meeting.

Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao stated this while presiding over the monthly meeting of the District Public Relations and Grievance Committee at the District Secretariat in Palwal on Wednesday. On this occasion, she heard a total of 11 complaints included in the agenda and got 7 resolved on the spot. In the meeting, on the complaint of Gram Panchayat Samiti member Saqir of village Mithaka regarding completion of incomplete work of Anganwadi Bhawan, the Executive Engineer informed the Health Minister that this work has been started and will be completed by the end of May.

Apart from this, taking cognizance of complaint of Priyanka, a resident of Gram Panchayat Kushak, regarding the police department, Arti Singh Rao entrusted Hodal MLA Harinder Singh with the responsibility of getting both the parties to settle the matter in mutual harmony.

During this, the members of the complaint committee, including the MLA, also raised many issues, for which the Health Minister gave necessary directions to the concerned officials.

On this occasion, Hodal MLA Harinder Singh, Hathin MLA Mohammad Israil, BJP District President Vipin Bainsla, and other senior officials were present.

======================================

*Commission does not recognise any private coaching institute: Bhupender Chauhan*

Chandigarh, May 7 – Member of Haryana Staff Selection Commission, Sh. Bhupender Chauhan said that the Commission does not recognize any private coaching institute. It has recently come to his notice that some coaching institutes are misusing the Commission’s name to mislead candidates. Clarifying on the matter, he stated that such institutes are neither recognised nor affiliated with the Commission in any way.

Sh. Chauhan said that if any institute misuses the Commission’s name or tries to mislead students, it is legally wrong, and the Commission will take legal action against such acts. He said that coaching institutes should avoid misleading the candidates.

Besides this he said that, Haryana government has recently implemented the Haryana Private Coaching Institutes Registration and Regulation Act, 2024. Under this Act, it will be mandatory for all private coaching institutes in the state to register themselves and follow the guidelines set in the Act.

The Commission has appealed to all candidates to carefully read the guidelines of the Act before enrolling in any coaching institute. The aim of this Act is to protect the interests of students and ensure transparency.

===================================

*Civil Defence Mock Drill conducted across all 22 districts of Haryana*

*Citizens trained on security and emergency response during war*

Chandigarh, May 7 – A comprehensive civil defence mock drill was conducted across all 22 districts of Haryana as part of a nationwide exercise organized under the directives of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. The drill aimed to enhance public awareness and train citizens in emergency protocols and response measures in the event of war or similar crises.

A government spokesperson informed that, in line with the Ministry’s instructions, the Haryana Government and district administrations made all necessary arrangements to ensure the successful execution of the mock drill. Advance guidelines were issued for public awareness, and citizens were requested to extend their cooperation.

As part of the preparedness activities, citizens were briefed on key precautions to take before a blackout. These included keeping mobile phones and power banks fully charged, ensuring the availability of essential supplies, and preparing flashlights, solar or battery-powered torches, radios, and glow sticks. People were also advised to keep a valid ID and assemble a family emergency kit comprising water, dry food, and basic medicines.

Citizens were guided to identify a safe inner room or basement as a designated shelter. Families were encouraged to train all members and rehearse emergency movements, such as switching off all lights and gathering in a secure area within 1–2 minutes. Specific instructions were issued to avoid using elevators between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and to deactivate them during the blackout period to prevent any inconvenience.

*High public participation in Mock Drill*

The spokesperson said that the exercise began with the activation of air raid warning sirens at 4:00 p.m., followed by simulation activities at key locations, including Mini Secretariats, government offices, public sector undertakings, and shopping malls. The final air raid alert was sounded at 7:50 p.m., triggering a complete 10-minute blackout from 7:50 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., during which citizens displayed commendable cooperation by turning off all indoor and outdoor lights and staying indoors.

Motorists also complied with the blackout guidelines by parking their vehicles and switching off headlights. The exercise excluded medical establishments, though they too voluntarily participated by covering their windows with thick curtains.

The spokesperson said that the objective of this mock drill is to prepare the citizens for any emergency and train them to deal with the situation during such a serious/adverse situation.