Haryana to be free from stray animals – Chief Minister

Six districts to lead the first phase of the campaign

Special grant for Gaushalas willing to accommodate extra cattle

Chandigarh, Sept 24 - Haryana Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal has directed officials to take proactive measures to make Haryana a stray animal free state. He emphasized the need to establish formal agreements with social and religious organizations willing to manage Gaushalas on Panchayat land. In addition, special grants will be allocated to Gaushalas willing to accommodate extra cattle.

The Chief Minister was presiding over a review meeting with officials of Haryana Gau Sewa Aayog and Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department here today.

Chief Minister stressed the importance of tagging all livestock in the state to comply with regulations, enabling the identification of animals from other states. He also mentioned that a letter would be sent to the Central Government to provide guidelines for other states to implement animal tagging. The initial phase of the campaign will focus on clearing Gurugram, Hisar, Sirsa, Bhiwani, Karnal and Panipat districts of stray animals, followed by other districts in the state.

The Chief Minister said that people should be encouraged not to abandon cattle when they stop producing milk and instead entrust them to Gaushalas, where their care will be assured. The meeting disclosed that Gaushalas receive an annual grant of Rs 7,000 per animal for fodder. The Aayog has received proposals from 91 Gaushalas in Haryana willing to accommodate additional cattle. It is also informed that Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa, has expressed willingness to collaborate with the Haryana Gau Sewa Aayog to eliminate stray animals in Haryana. He said that the Animal Husbandry Department should form a monitoring cell at the headquarters level to monitor the Gaushalas.

The meeting was attended by Chairman of Haryana Gau Sewa Aayog Mr. Shravan Kumar Garg, Deputy Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. K.M. Pandurang, former MLA Mr. Ramchandra Kamboj, Director General of Animal Husbandry Department Dr. BS Laura, Aayog Member Mr. Purnamal Yadav and others officers.

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“Drug Free Haryana Cyclothon” flagged off from Tau Devi Lal Sports Stadium

Contribute in fulfilling the Chief Minister's resolve of a drug-free Haryana - DC

Chandigarh, Sept 24: The Drug Free Haryana Cyclothon started to take forward Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal’s message of Drug Free Haryana in every district of the State entered Yamunanagar today after a night halt at Panchkula.

Deputy Commissioner Mr Sushil Sarwan flagged off the “Drug Free Haryana Cyclothon” from Tau Devi Lal Sports Stadium, Sector-3 on Sunday morning and encouraged the participants with his address. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner and other officers planted saplings in the stadium premises.

Hockey Olympian Harpal Singh, international Taekwondo player Diksha, international boxing player Rudra Dangi and National level boxing player Nidhi Dhull also encouraged the participants with their presence. On this occasion, the Deputy Commissioner presented a bicycle to Anisha, a promising and emerging cyclist who belongs to a poor family.

Addressing on this occasion, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Sushil Sarwan said that Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal has resolved to make the State drug free. With an aim of fulfilling this resolution, “Drug Free Haryana Cyclothon” was started from Karnal on September 1. After passing through several districts of the State, it reached Panchkula yesterday. He exhorted the residents of Panchkula to come forward and contribute in fulfilling the Chief Minister's resolve of a drug-free Haryana.

Mr Sarwan said that drug addiction is a social evil which has an adverse impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of a person. This cyclothon is a commendable initiative started by the State Government towards uniting people against drug menace. He exuded confidence that cyclothon started to spread the message of Drug Free Haryana would prove to be a milestone in making the state drug free. He assured that the district administration would leave no stone unturned in motivating the people to stay away from drugs and adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Drug free Haryana Cyclothon was given a grand welcome at Shaheed Major Anuj Rajput Government Model Sanskriti Senior Secondary School, Sector-20. Besides the Deputy Commissioner and other senior officers of district administration, participants of the cyclothon paid floral tributes at the statue of martyr Major Anuj Rajput. Martyr’s father Mr Kulbansh Singh and mother Usha Rohila were also present. A cultural programme was organized on this occasion in which patriotic songs and group dance were presented by the school students. On this occasion, Sub Inspector posted in Haryana Narcotics Control Bureau, Ashok Kumar administered oath to the students against drug abuse. Thereafter, Cyclothon reached Sarthak School Sector- 12A, where it was given a rousing welcome.

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Empowering Rural Development: Link Road repair responsibility to Zila Parishads in six more districts

CEOs offices to be shifted in ZPs Secretariat

Chandigarh, Sept 24 – In a significant and proactive move to enhance the capabilities of Zila Parishads (ZPs), Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal said that the responsibility for the repair of link roads in six additional districts, namely Sonipat, Kaithal, Mahendergarh, Rohtak, Jhajjar, and Rewari, will be transferred to the Zila Parishads by the end of this year. Previously, this responsibility was overseen by the Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board (HSAMB).

The Chief Minister disclosed this during a meeting with the Chairpersons of Zila Parishads and Chief Executive Officers of Zila Parishads to review various developmental initiatives. Development and Panchayats Minister Sh. Devender Babli also present in the meeting.

Earlier, the link road repair responsibility had been transferred from HSAMB to Zila Parishads in five districts — Yamunangar, Karnal, Palwal, Bhiwani, and Fatehabad — with process of repair work already underway. With the addition of these six districts, ZPs will be responsible for road repair in a total of 11 districts. This move reflects the State Government's commitment to empowering Zila Parishads to undertake rural development projects more efficiently.

During the review of development progress, Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal directed the CEOs of Zila Parishads to initiate the tendering process for the pavement of village phirnis in villages with a population of 5,000 or more by September 30, 2023.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of respecting and honoring the Chairpersons of ZPs, who play a crucial role as public representatives in the democratic setup. He clearly instructed the CEOs to relocate their offices from district Secretariats to ZP offices. In districts where ZP office buildings have already been erected, this directive should be promptly implemented. However, in cases where such infrastructure is yet to be established, CEOs are instructed to identify suitable land and submit proposals to the Head Office.

He also sought budget estimates for the current fiscal year from the CEOs of ZPs. The Chief Minister underscored that it falls within the purview of the Chairman of Zila Parishads to formulate their budgets and subsequently forward them to the government after gaining approval within the ZP House. This ensures that sufficient funds will be accessible to drive developmental initiatives in rural areas effectively.

He also encouraged them to construct Anganwari buildings wherever necessary and establish a dedicated unit in each district responsible for overseeing Anganwari Centers throughout the district.

He informed the installation of street lights in 750 villages with the highest population across the state. The budget has already been allocated to Zila Parishads for this initiative. Under this program, the five villages with the highest population in each block will soon receive street lights.

The Chief Minister pointed out that there are 144 blocks in the state and urged the CEO Zila Parishads to identify the block where even 10 e-libraries have not started. Requests for this purpose have been received through Jan Samvad, and we already have sanction to open 750 e-libraries.

Conduct need-based survey for Chaupal construction

During the review of Chaupals' construction, Sh. Manohar Lal instructed the CEOs to conduct need-based surveys in their respective areas. He also directed them to initiate the process of beautifying or constructing walls for village ponds through the Zila Parishads. The Chairman and CEOs of Zila Parishads should collaborate to plan development activities in rural areas.

Speaking on this occasion, Development and Panchayats Minister, Sh. Devender Singh Babli, urged the CEOs to monitor the progress of development projects in their respective areas. He also expressed his intention to visit the entire state for this purpose.

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. V. Umashankar, Director Rural Development Jai Krishan Abhir, OSD to Chief Minister Sudhanshu Gautam, Chairpersons and CEOs of Zila Parisahad and other officers were also present in the meeting.