Health Secretary Visits The Reopened Drug De‑Addiction and Treatment Centre at GMSH‑16, Chandigarh

Chandigarh, February 13, 2026-The Drug De‑Addiction and Treatment Centre (DDTC) at Government Multi‑Specialty Hospital, Sector‑16, Chandigarh, was reopened on 27th January 2026. Sh. Mandip Singh Brar, Health Secretary, UT Chandigarh visited the hospital today for the inspection of the newly established De-addiction Centre and to review the facilities and services provided for substance abuse treatment. The Centre, which has 10 beds and 2 additional beds reserved for women and VIP patients, is once again prepared to admit individuals seeking recovery from addiction and substance dependence. Presen during the visit were Dr. Suman Singh, Director Health and other officials of health department.

The admission process is simple and supportive. Patients are first screened in the OPD by psychiatrists to check their readiness and motivation for treatment. Admission is voluntary, with written consent taken from both patient and family. A family member stays with the patient throughout, offering constant encouragement and emotional support.
The ward environment is warm, clean, and well‑organised. Hygiene is maintained carefully, making the space safe and reassuring for patients and their families. A structured daily routine, including lights out at 10:00 p.m., helps patients build healthy habits. Group therapy, counseling, and other therapeutic activities form part of the recovery program. Recreational facilities such as newspapers, books, television, and sports equipment keep patients engaged and motivated. Strict rules prohibit substances, gadgets, and outside food, with routine checks ensuring discipline and safety. The health secretary noted during his visit that patients would benefit from motivational study aids to help them during their stay. These will be implemented as soon as possible.
The reopening reflects a renewed commitment to fight addiction with compassion, structure, and family involvement. With medical care, emotional support, and a supportive atmosphere, the DDTC provides the right conditions for patients to recover and rebuild their lives.

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MSME Facilitation Helpdesk Strengthening MSME Ecosystem in U.T. Chandigarh

With a clear and focused vision to strengthen the MSME ecosystem and promote sustainable industrial growth in U.T. Chandigarh, Nishant Kumar Yadav, IAS, Secretary Industries-cum-Deputy Commissioner, U.T. Chandigarh, reviewed the functioning and impact of the Chandigarh MSME Facilitation Helpdesk during a meeting held under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance Programme (RAMP).

The meeting was attended by Paviter Singh, PCS, Director of Industries, U.T. Chandigarh, along with representatives from the RAMP State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) and other key stakeholder departments.

During the meeting, it was apprised that since becoming operational in May 2025, the Helpdesk has undertaken extensive outreach to nearly 2,000 MSMEs across the city and has provided focused handholding support to over 1,200 enterprises. This assistance has been delivered through field visits, cluster-level meetings, workshops, awareness programmes, and digital facilitation initiatives. The outreach has covered enterprises engaged in manufacturing, services, and trading sectors, significantly enhancing awareness, encouraging formalisation, and improving access to institutional finance and government support mechanisms.

While reviewing the progress, the Secretary Industries-cum-Deputy Commissioner emphasised that the foremost objective of the Helpdesk is to facilitate MSMEs in availing benefits under various Central and State Government schemes and digital platforms, including Udyam Registration, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme (PMS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), and Online Dispute Resolution (ODR). He further stressed the importance of providing structured guidance on regulatory compliance, documentation, credit readiness, digital onboarding, and financial preparedness, thereby enabling enterprises to become competitive and growth-oriented.

The Secretary Industries-cum-Deputy Commissioner appreciated the proactive efforts of the Helpdesk team and the Department of Industries for their sustained and impactful engagement with the MSME sector. Reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to MSME development, he noted that the Helpdesk has emerged as a robust institutional mechanism for strengthening ease of doing business, enhancing entrepreneurial capacity, and fostering a supportive industrial environment in Chandigarh.

The Chandigarh MSME Facilitation Helpdesk stands as a testament to the Administration’s continued focus on entrepreneurship promotion, employment generation, and inclusive industrial development in U.T. Chandigarh, reinforcing the city’s position as a progressive and MSME-friendly destination.

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Workshop on Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) Held in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, February 12, 2026:The Energy Management Cell / State Designated Agency (SDA), Chandigarh, in association with The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi, organised a two-day workshop on the Energy Conservation & Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) on 11th and 12th February, 2026 at National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Sector 26, Chandigarh.

The workshop aimed to create awareness and promote energy-efficient building design practices in accordance with the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The sessions focused on compliance requirements under ECSBC, integration of sustainable building materials, energy performance standards, and strategies to enhance energy efficiency in commercial and institutional buildings.

Experts from TERI and other technical institutions highlighted the importance of adopting energy-efficient measures in buildings to reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and contribute towards environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Emphasis was also laid on the role of stakeholders in ensuring effective implementation of the Code in the Union Territory.

The workshop witnessed active participation from government officials, architects, engineers, students, and professionals from the building and construction sector. Interactive discussions and technical presentations provided participants with practical insights into ECSBC implementation and best practices.

The initiative reflects the commitment of Chandigarh Administration towards promoting sustainable development and strengthening energy conservation measures in the building sector.