Joint Committee to be constituted for making Yamuna River Clean and Pure - Chief Minister

Yamuna to be rejuvenated as per Prime Minister’s resolution - Nayab Singh Saini

Environment and Water know no boundaries between states

Chandigarh, August 20 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that a joint committee comprising senior officials of the Central Water Commission (CWC), Haryana Government and Delhi Government will be constituted to make the Yamuna River clean and pure on the lines of Maa Ganga. This committee will not only focus on the cleaning of the Yamuna but also work towards resolving other related issues.

The Chief Minister was interacting with the media persons after attending a meeting on “Inter-State Coordination Related to Yamuna Water Rejuvenation” chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister, Sh. C.R. Patil, at Shramik Shakti Bhavan in New Delhi today.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that since the formation of the Delhi Government under the leadership of Mrs. Rekha Gupta, developmental plans are being prepared at a rapid pace and their implementation is progressing continuously. He informed that work for cleaning the Yamuna River is being carried out on a war footing. The process of treating sewage water from drains through Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) before releasing it into the river has been significantly accelerated.

The Chief Minister further informed that under the ongoing campaign, 16,000 metric tonnes of garbage has already been removed from the Yamuna. He added that the river will be made clean and pure as per the target set in line with the vision of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. He said that rejuvenation of the Yamuna is the top priority of both governments and assured that the public will soon witness a clean and rejuvenated Yamuna River.

The Chief Minister said that the BOD level of the drain falling into the Yamuna River from Palla village in Karnal district is 80, and necessary steps are being taken to further purify this water. He informed that there has been a significant improvement in the BOD level of Yamuna water at Okhla in Faridabad. To further enhance water quality, 44 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) have already been established, through which about 620 MLD of water is being treated every day. In addition, 9 more STPs are being set up to clean another 510 MLD of water.

The Chief Minister said that issues related to the environment and water know no boundaries, and therefore both states will have to work together to make the Yamuna River completely clean and clear. He said that strict measures are being taken to ensure that polluted water is not discharged directly into the river, and necessary directions have already been issued to the officers in this regard. He further informed that the services of representatives and experts from both Delhi and Haryana will be utilized to monitor the Najafgarh Lake and drain. In addition, the BOD level of the polluted water being discharged from industries in Haryana will also be regularly checked.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini strongly condemned the attack on Delhi Chief Minister, Smt. Rekha Gupta, terming it an unfortunate incident.

Union Secretary Devshree Mukherjee, Delhi Chief Secretary Dharmendra Kumar, Haryana Additional Chief Secretary Vineet Garg, Additional Chief Secretary Irrigation Department Anurag Agarwal and senior officials of Irrigation and Environment Department were also present in the meeting.

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

CM Nayab Singh Saini to attend state-level World Entrepreneurship Day Function in Hisar

Chandigarh, August 20 – On the occasion of World Entrepreneurship Day, a state-level function will be organized on Thursday at the Indira Gandhi Auditorium of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, will grace the function as the Chief Guest.

Giving this information here today, a government spokesperson said that all arrangements for the programme have been completed by the district administration. He informed that budding entrepreneurs have been invited to participate in the function. The Chief Minister will not only address these entrepreneurs who have set up new enterprises but will also interact with them to learn about their experiences, so that the journey of future entrepreneurs becomes easier.

The spokesperson further informed that an exhibition will also be organized outside the Indira Gandhi Auditorium, where detailed information about various government schemes and innovations will be made available. Officers of the concerned departments will be present at the exhibition to provide guidance. Through this exhibition, the public will be able to access information about schemes being implemented by both the Central and State Governments.

He said that Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini will attend this state-level programme on August 21. Several Ministers and MLAs of the State Government will also participate in the event. The district administration has made all necessary arrangements for the successful organization of the programme.

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

Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi chairing the 11th State Narco Coordination (NCORD) meeting, in Chandigarh on August 20, 2025.

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

Pay special attention to cleanliness to prevent dengue

Chandigarh, August 20 – The Haryana Government has appealed to the people of the State to pay special attention in keeping their homes and surroundings clean. During the rainy season, flies and mosquitoes breed quickly, and cleanliness is the most effective way to stop them.

Sharing information in this regard an official spokesperson said that malaria-spreading mosquitoes breed in stagnant dirty water, while dengue-spreading mosquitoes breed in clean water. People are advised to clean their water tanks regularly and keep them tightly covered.

He further said that the main symptoms of dengue include sudden high fever, fever that subsides after a few days and then returns, severe headache, pain in muscles, bones and joints, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. If anyone experiences these symptoms, they should immediately visit the nearest hospital for a check-up and take medicines only as prescribed by doctors.

The spokesperson appealed to people to keep their houses and surroundings free from stagnant water. Do not allow water to collect in pits, unused coolers. Fill up open pits with soil and keep drains clean so that water does not remain collected and mosquitoes cannot breed.

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

Haryana to become a new center of eco-tourism with the proposed Aravalli Jungle Safari: Rao Narbir Singh

A major step towards environmental protection and job creation

Chandigarh, August 20 – Haryana Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister, Rao Narbir Singh, said that the proposed Jungle Safari project in the Aravalli region is a special initiative of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. The detailed design and project report will be prepared within the next two months, followed by the global tender process, so that work on the project can start soon. The project aims not only to boost eco-tourism, but also to protect biodiversity and create employment opportunities for local people.

Rao Narbir Singh was chairing a review meeting with officers of the Forest Department in Chandigarh today. The Life Science Education Trust gave a presentation on the project. Additional Chief Secretary, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan, Forest Department, and other senior officers were present at the meeting.

He said that the Aravalli is India’s oldest mountain range, spread across Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi, covering 1.15 million hectares. The central government has entrusted Haryana with the responsibility of the Aravalli Green Wall Project and Jungle Safari, which will prove to be a milestone in environmental conservation.

Inspired by projects in Nagpur and Jamnagar

Rao Narbir Singh said that earlier this project was with the Tourism Department, as per the directions of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, it has now been handed over to the Forest Department. He personally visited the Gorewada Safari in Nagpur and the Vantara project in Gujarat for inspiration. The Haryana government’s aim is to have this mega project inaugurated by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, he added.

Proposed across 10,000 acres in Gurugram and Nuh

It was informed in the meeting that the Aravalli Safari is proposed over nearly 10,000 acres in Gurugram and Nuh districts. In the first phase, it will be developed on around 2,500 acres. The project will be implemented in accordance with the rules of the Central Zoo Authority and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

The Minister further said that this will be a major investment project, and possibilities under the PPP model will be explored for its operation. Just like Gujarat’s Vantara and Kevadia Zoo projects have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), Haryana too will complete the MoU process soon. He also shared that guidelines for night safari have now been issued. Through the Aravalli Green Wall project, large-scale plantation of indigenous species, soil health improvement, groundwater recharge, and biodiversity conservation will be ensured.

Inspired by the Prime Minister’s Vision

Rao Narbir Singh said the project is inspired by the vision of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. He appealed to the people of the state to pledge their support for the protection and conservation of wildlife, as also emphasised by the Prime Minister in his Mann ki Baat programme.

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

Haryana Accelerates War Against Drugs, Achieves Remarkable Gains in 2025

Chandigarh, August 20 – Haryana has significantly intensified its campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse through a comprehensive strategy combining strict enforcement, widespread awareness programmes, and enhanced rehabilitation measures. This coordinated approach has delivered remarkable results in 2025, as highlighted during the 11th State Narco Coordination (NCORD) meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi here today. The Chief Secretary reaffirmed the government’s determination to achieve the ambitious goal of a completely Drug-Free Haryana through a holistic three-pronged approach that not only tackles the symptoms of drug abuse but also addresses its root causes while strengthening systems of recovery and reintegration.

Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), said the state’s enforcement machinery has delivered exceptional results in the first seven months of 2025. Authorities registered 2,161 FIRs compared to 2,022 during the same period last year, while 3,629 accused persons were arrested, representing an impressive 35 percent increase over 2024. Strengthened interstate coordination led to 293 interstate arrests in commercial quantity cases, marking a major step in dismantling cross-border trafficking networks. The state also struck hard at the financial backbone of drug offenders, with property attachments rising sharply from ₹23.41 lakh in 2024 to ₹1.31 crore in 2025. Preventive policing strategies also proved highly effective, with preventive detentions jumping from 8 to 42 cases.

She also called for joint raids with neighbouring districts to dismantle the supply chain of drugs being transported into Haryana by the smugglers. She also directed formation of a smaller task force at the HoD level which shall hold regular meetings to resolve pending issues.

She further stated that Haryana’s massive focus on awareness and youth engagement has been equally noteworthy. Within just seven months, the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) conducted 698 anti-drug awareness programmes across the state, successfully reaching more than 1.15 lakh participants from diverse communities. Youth engagement through sports has emerged as a cornerstone of the campaign, with the “Drug-Free Village/Ward” programme covering 4,270 villages and engaging nearly 2.8 lakh young people in constructive sporting activities. These efforts have been reinforced by door-to-door survey teams deployed to conduct regular audits and ensure active grassroots participation in anti-drug initiatives.

The meeting also reviewed several systemic reforms and strategic initiatives forming the backbone of the anti-drug campaign. These included the rollout of centralized pharmaceutical supply chain monitoring systems to prevent misuse of prescription medicines, systematic inspection of de-addiction centres in all districts to ensure compliance with prescribed standards, and significant upgrades in forensic laboratories with advanced equipment for synthetic drug detection. The state has also expanded the use of national databases such as NATGRID and MANAS, supported by regular training programmes for officials, while intensifying surveillance of closed chemical factories to prevent their illegal reactivation for drug production, she added.

Educational institutions have also been assigned a critical role in sustaining awareness. The School Education Department has been directed to strengthen parental involvement in Prahari Clubs, while the Higher Education Department continues to organize monthly awareness drives in colleges across Haryana. These initiatives ensure that anti-drug messaging reaches young people consistently, meaningfully, and with strong community participation.

Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary, SEWA Department, Dr G. Anupama, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy, Sh. AK Singh, DGP, Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau, Sh. OP Singh and other snior officers were present in the meeting.

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

Haryana’s ex-Agniveers to get Horizontal reservation in direct recruitment

Chandigarh, August 20 – The Haryana Government has decided to provide the benefit of horizontal reservation in direct recruitment to resident ex-Agniveers of the state. After detailed deliberations on the matter, a policy has now been formulated to provide reservation for ex-Agniveers in various state services.

A letter in this regard has been issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi.

According to this policy, ex-Agniveers will get 1 percent horizontal reservation in Group-B posts related to skill expertise, and 5 percent in Group-C posts (excluding some specified categories). In the Home Department, 20 percent reservation will be given for the posts of Police Constables. Similarly, 10 percent reservation has been fixed for the posts of Forest Guard in the Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department, Warder in the Jail Department, and Mining Guard in the Mines and Geology Department.

To ensure fair distribution among all social categories, reservation will be applied at fixed roster points. Selection will be purely on the basis of merit, and ex-Agniveers will be selected against reserved posts within their respective vertical categories. If suitable ex-Agniveers are not available, the vacant posts will be filled by eligible candidates of the concerned category.

The government has also decided that during recruitment for the posts of Police Constable, Forest Guard, Jail Warder, and Mining Guard, ex-Agniveers will be exempted from the Physical Efficiency Test, since their physical fitness and military training are already certified. In addition, ex-Agniveers are already exempted from the Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group-C recruitments. They will also be exempted from skill-related tests for which they have received training during their military service. However, they will be required to appear in the written examination prescribed by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission for the advertised posts. This exemption will be applicable when they apply in response to advertisements issued by the Commission.

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

Van Mitra Yojana to increase plantation in the state - Environment Minister Rao Narbir Singh

Permission will be given to dig pits on forest department land as well

Chandigarh, August 20 — Haryana Environment and Forest Minister, Rao Narbir Singh has directed officials to ensure more effective implementation of the Van Mitra scheme so that plantation becomes a mass movement. He said that Van Mitras will now be able to plant saplings by digging pits not only on private land but also on forest department land.

The Minister gave these directions while chairing a review meeting of the Forest Department here today. Additional Chief Secretary Environment and Forest department, Sh Anand Mohan Sharan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and other senior officials were present at the meeting.

Van Mitra to Receive Honorarium on Time

The Minister said that there should be no delay in disbursing the monthly honorarium of Rs 15,000 to Van Mitras and directed that it be released immediately.

During the meeting, it was informed that under the Van Mitra Yojana, launched in 2024, as many as 70,000 youth have registered on the portal. They dug more than two lakh pits, out of which 2598 youth were given the status of 'Van Mitra' after planting saplings in 10 pits and completing geo tagging.

New System of Verification

The Minister directed that, in place of geo-tagging, the verification and monitoring of pits and plantations will now be carried out personally by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Conservator, and Forest Guard. This mechanism will ensure accurate evaluation of the work undertaken by Van Mitras and their honorarium can be released transparently through DBT.

Government’s Vision for a Green Haryana

The Haryana Government aims to transform the state into one of greenery and clean air in the coming years. With the spirit of the resolution ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, the government is actively involving youth, women and all sections of society in environmental protection efforts so that Haryana emerges as a green and healthy state for future generations.

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