CM Nayab Singh Saini to address State-Level Function in Panchkula on Completion of One Year of Present Haryana Government
Chandigarh, October 16 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini will address a state-level function marking the completion of one year of the present state government at the Indradhanush Auditorium, Panchkula, tomorrow. The event will highlight the government’s key achievements, flagship initiatives and the roadmap for the coming years.
In this connection, Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi today chaired a high-level review meeting to take stock of the preparations for the celebration. He directed all Deputy Commissioners to organize district-level programmes, which will be followed by a live broadcast of the Chief Minister’s address from the state-level function.
The meeting was informed that Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini will distribute development grants to Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies and hand over plot allotment letters to beneficiaries under the Mukhya Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana 2.0 (Phase-II) during the event.
The Chief Secretary emphasized ensuring smooth arrangements, wide public participation and proper dissemination of the government’s achievements at both state and district levels. He also instructed departments to coordinate effectively for security, media coverage, public outreach, and on-ground logistics to make the event a success.
Director General, Information, Public Relations, Languages & Culture, Sh. K. Makarand Pandurang informed that a Coffee Table Book/ Booklet on One-year achievements of the state government shall also be launched by the Chief Minister on the occasion.
Commissioner & Secretary, Housing for All, Mohammed Shayin, Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Saket Kumar, Director General, Urban Local Bodies, Sh. Pankaj, Special Secretary, Personnel, Training and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Aditya Dahiya, and other senior officers were present in the meeting while the Deputy Commissioners joined the meeting via videoconferencing.
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Approval accorded to connect Ambala Cantonment Industrial Area Pump House to Power Hotline- Energy Minister Anil Vij
Energy Minister directs completion of Shaheedi Smarak Construction by November 1
Anil Vij holds review meeting with department officers on development projects in Ambala Cantonment
Chandigarh, October 16 - Haryana Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that approval has been accorded to connect the pump house in Ambala Cantonment Industrial Area to a power hotline to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply. The pump house will be connected with a hotline shortly.
Chairing a joint review meeting with officers from various departments in Ambala Cantonment, Sh. Vij directed officers to expedite all ongoing development projects and ensure timely completion.
Highlighting key infrastructure priorities, Sh. Vij said that the tender for the Industrial Area boundary wall will be cleared in the upcoming High Power Purchase Committee meeting, after which the construction will commence to protect the area from waterlogging.
During the meeting, the Minister directed the Irrigation Department to start desilting of the Tangri River from Chandpura to Kot Kachua by November 15, ensuring better drainage of rainwater. Additionally, directions were given to install a water-lifting pump near Ramgarh Majra village to divert water into the Tangri River.
Completion of Shaheedi Smarak by November 1
Sh. Anil Vij directed PWD officers to ensure that all construction work at the Shaheedi Smarak is completed by November 1, and that any remaining works are finished promptly. The Minister further directed that work on the Machhauda ROB (Railway Over Bridge) and Tangri River Dam Road be started soon. He also directed the Municipal Council to complete sewer installation on the remaining stretch of Babyal Road in Mahesh Nagar to facilitate completion of road construction.
Dairy Complex to Be Built in Brahman Majra
To relocate dairies outside the city area, Sh. Vij directed the Municipal Council to begin construction of a Dairy Complex in Brahman Majra at the earliest. He also directed that the installation of lifts in the multilevel parking be completed soon, faulty street lights be repaired before Diwali, and construction of Football Chowk near the stadium be initiated.
The Energy Minister further also directed Discoms officers to relocate transformers from roads, replace damaged underground power cables in Sadar Bazaar using modern machinery, and shift 11 kV line poles from Tangri Dam Road.
SE, Sh. Munish Bhardwaj (Irrigation Department), XEN, Sh. Krishan Bhukal, SE, Sh. V.K. Goyal and XEN, Sh. Vikas (Discom), XEN, Sh. Ritesh Agarwal (PWD), EO, Sh. Devender Narwal and XEN, Sh. Surender (Municipal Council), along with other senior officers remained president during the meeting.
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Chief National Commissioner, Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG), Dr. K. K. Khandelwal (IAS-R), has been appointed Chairman of the Strategic Transformation Committee
Chandigarh, October 16- Chief National Commissioner, Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG), Dr. K. K. Khandelwal (IAS-R), has been appointed Chairman of the Strategic Transformation Committee under the Asia-Pacific Region (APR) of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).
This prestigious appointment marks a proud moment for Indian Scouting, as Dr. Khandelwal will lead a key committee responsible for steering innovation, governance reform, youth empowerment, digital transformation, and sustainability across the Asia-Pacific region — the largest Scouting region in the world, with over 37 lakhs members in 33 countries.
Dr. Khandelwal said that this honour belongs to the entire Scouting family of India. It reflects the world’s confidence in our nation’s contribution to youth development and character education. I dedicate this responsibility to every Scout and Guide who keeps the flame of service alive.
The Bharat Scouts and Guides, with a vibrant membership of over 6.8 lakhs young Scouts and Guides, continues to be among the largest and most active National Scout Organizations under WOSM. Dr. Khandelwal has served as Chief National Commissioner since 2017 and brings over five decades of Scouting experience to his new global role. His leadership has seen Indian Scouting grow in numbers, modernize its systems, and strengthen youth participation across all levels.
The Strategic Transformation Committee will focus on building adaptable, data-driven, and inclusive structures that keep Scouting relevant to the changing needs of youth and society.
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*Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi Reviews Yamuna Cleanliness Measures Ahead of Chhath Puja*
Chandigarh, October 16: Haryana is accelerating its commitment to a clean and safe Yamuna River ahead of the auspicious Chhath Puja festival. Following a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi today, inter-departmental efforts have intensified, focusing on upgraded infrastructure, stringent pollution control and a sustained drive for ecological balance. The state's proactive measures aim to ensure a pristine and secure environment for the thousands of devotees who will perform rituals along the river and its tributaries.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) across the Yamuna catchment area. He directed all Executive Engineers to personally oversee the functioning of these plants up to October 28, 2025, ensuring that no breakdown occurs and that all systems operate within prescribed environmental standards. Junior Engineers and Sub-Divisional Engineers have been deputed for continuous supervision, while the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has been instructed to form special flying squads to conduct surprise inspections during odd hours. He directed officials to finalize the complete list of STPs and CETPs, including those under construction, and to prepare a future action plan while ensuring strict adherence to project completion timelines.
Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to maintaining a clean and pollution-free Yamuna through inter-departmental coordination and strict monitoring. He stated that a clean river system is both an environmental necessity and a social responsibility, adding that Chhath Puja provides an occasion to renew collective efforts towards protecting nature and ensuring ecological balance.
Sh. Rastogi instructed departments including PHED, HSVP, HSIIDC, GMDA, ULBD, and HSPCB to identify industries with the potential to discharge pollutants into the river or its drains and to maintain strict vigil over their operations. He directed that any manipulation of operational or monitoring data must be addressed immediately and firmly.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed preparations to ensure a clean Yamuna during Chhath Puja celebrations. He instructed the Urban Local Bodies Department and the Irrigation Department to undertake the immediate removal of solid waste from drains and riverbanks. Municipal Corporations have been directed to deploy sufficient manpower and machinery to keep ghats and river stretches clean and accessible throughout the festive period.
For the next 15 days, a coordinated enforcement drive will be carried out by the Police, Municipal Corporations, Public Health Engineering Department, and Development and Panchayats wings to prevent the illegal disposal of sewage or tanker waste into the river. The PHED will deploy tankers to lift sewage for treatment at existing STPs wherever capacity allows, while Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Magistrates will monitor compliance at the district level.
Sh. Rastogi also reviewed the progress of STP projects under implementation in the Yamuna catchment area. He noted that projects with a total capacity of 107 million litres per day (MLD) are expected to be completed by March 2027.
It was informed during the meeting that six irrigation projects utilizing treated wastewater are in progress at Behrampur, Kanheli, Karnal, Haikat Nagar, Shiv Colony, and Jattal Road in Panipat, collectively covering a treatment capacity of 158 MLD. These projects, costing approximately ₹253 crore, are advancing steadily, with progress ranging from 35% to 90% across different locations.
To ensure safety and protect the Yamuna and its tributaries, fencing work is being carried out at 364 bridge locations across Haryana. The largest number of sites have been identified in Sirsa (74), Kurukshetra (73), Charkhi Dadri (50), and Kaithal (37). Similarly, 79 ghats across 19 regions have been identified for cleaning and maintenance. Of these, 40 existing ghats have already been upgraded, while 39 new ghats are being developed. Major work is underway in Hisar, Karnal, Yamuna Nagar, and Sirsa to ensure safe and clean facilities for devotees during Chhath Puja.
Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests & Wildlife, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Chairman, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Sh. Vineet Garg and Additional Chief Secretary, Irrigation & Water Resources, Sh. Anurag Agarwal were present in the meeting while Deputy Commissioners of all districts joined in via videoconferencing.
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Two more private AYUSH hospitals empanelled
Chandigarh, October 16 – Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said the state government is providing extensive medical facilities for its employees, pensioners, and their dependents. In addition to government hospitals, several private hospitals have been empanelled so that beneficiaries can avail of treatment at a nearby hospital of their choice. Responding to employees’ demands, the state government has also empanelled several private AYUSH hospitals. Taking a step further in this direction, the department has now empanelled two more AYUSH hospitals, bringing the total number to around a dozen.
The Health Minister informed that the government has empanelled Sanskaram Hospital and Trauma Centre, Kheri Taluka, Patauda in Jhajjar district, and Vedamrit Healthcare Private Limited located in Barwala, Hisar district. Haryana government employees, pensioners, and their dependents will now be able to receive treatment at these private AYUSH hospitals. They can undergo tests and treatment for government-approved ailments and get their medical bills reimbursed as per prescribed procedures.
A spokesperson of the Haryana Directorate of AYUSH further informed that each empanelled private AYUSH hospital will appoint a nodal officer who will serve as the point of contact with the AYUSH department in case of any complaints.
He also shared details about the empanelment terms, stating that in the event of any emergency, disaster, or patient overload in government hospitals, the empanelled hospitals will agree to share resources such as ambulances, ICUs, burn units, and ward beds as required.
He further added that the empanelled private AYUSH hospitals must comply with all statutory rules, guidelines, acts, and notifications issued by the state government from time to time. The empanelled NABH-accredited Ayurvedic hospitals will remain on the panel for a period of three years, subject to the validity of their accreditation certificate. After this period, the hospitals will be required to reapply for empanelment.
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Haryana Government Directs Timely Salary Disbursement for Newly Appointed Group-D Employees
Chandigarh, October 16: The Haryana Government has issued instructions to all departments regarding the salary payment of newly appointed Group-D employees under the Common Cadre. These employees had joined various departments on or after August 28, 2025.
In a letter addressed by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, it was noted that salaries for these employees—who joined in compliance with posting orders dated August 28—have not yet been disbursed from their respective dates of joining. After reviewing the matter, the government has directed that all pending salaries must be paid from the date of joining, without delay. These employees were recommended by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) on July 2, 2025.
The Chief Secretary further instructed all departments to ensure that the details of these employees are entered into the HRMS portal, as the e-billing system relies on this data to generate salary bills. Regarding the National Pension Scheme (NPS), the government clarified that only two months’ salary can be released without a PRAN (Permanent Retirement Account Number). Beyond this period, PRAN generation is mandatory for continued salary disbursement.
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Haryana Government Notifies New Guidelines on Official and Private Foreign Travel for Employees
Chandigarh, October 16 – The Haryana Finance Department has issued detailed and comprehensive guidelines regarding official and private foreign visits for all state government employees. These new instructions apply to all Group ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, and ‘D’ government employees, including members of All India Services serving in connection with the affairs of the State.
According to the guidelines issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, who also holds the charge of ACS Finance, for Official Foreign Travel (on government expenses), permission will now be considered for a maximum of only one official visit and one private visit in a financial year. Furthermore, the total combined duration of foreign stay, encompassing both official and private visits taken together, must not exceed three weeks. Private leave immediately adjacent to an official trip is strictly limited to three weeks or 50% of the official trip length, though for short official trips (less than 8 days), the attached private leave is capped at four days.
All proposals for official foreign travel must follow a mandatory approval flow: they must first be approved by the Chief Minister (on the Administrative Department’s side) and only thereafter be submitted to the Finance Department (FR Branch) for financial concurrence. Critically, online budget reports signed by the Budget Controlling Authority (BCA) are required beforehand to confirm the availability of adequate budget under the '48-Foreign Travel Allowance' head.
Approval of the Finance Department for foreign visits for attending Seminars and Trainings must be obtained in advance before performing actual visits in those cases which are not in accordance with the Training Policy issued by office of the Chief Secretary to Government Haryana (Training Branch) from time to time.
The Administrative Department shall also obtain all statutory, administrative / cadre clearance and political clearances of the officers from concerned Ministries in Government of India as well as from the Cadre Controlling Authorities of the State Government at its own level.
For Private Foreign Travel (on Personal Expenses), permission will be considered for a maximum of one private visit in a financial year by the Administrative Department, and the sanction order must mention the name of the visiting country. The department reserves the right to deny permission due to office exigency. To prevent conflicts of interest, permission will be denied if the personal foreign visit is sponsored or borne by private organizations with which the concerned department has official dealings. Additionally, legal clearance is mandatory: permission will not be granted if a criminal case is pending in court or a charge-sheet for a major penalty is pending against the individual.
Strict compliance is required, as ex-post facto approval will not be granted under any circumstances, and officers leaving the country without prior permission will face strict disciplinary action. While abroad, officers/officials are prohibited from taking any job or overstaying without prior approval.
In case of 'handing over/taking over of the charge' system, the officer/ official shall hand over the charge to his/her substitute before going aboard. Further, the concerned officer/official shall not take any job in the foreign country.
The Finance Department will retain the power to interpret, change, amend, relax, and remove any doubts regarding these instructions. These new guidelines are effective immediately from the date of issuance.
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*Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi Reviews Yamuna Cleanliness Measures Ahead of Chhath Puja*
Chandigarh, October 16: Haryana is accelerating its commitment to a clean and safe Yamuna River ahead of the auspicious Chhath Puja festival. Following a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi today, inter-departmental efforts have intensified, focusing on upgraded infrastructure, stringent pollution control and a sustained drive for ecological balance. The state's proactive measures aim to ensure a pristine and secure environment for the thousands of devotees who will perform rituals along the river and its tributaries.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) across the Yamuna catchment area. He directed all Executive Engineers to personally oversee the functioning of these plants up to October 28, 2025, ensuring that no breakdown occurs and that all systems operate within prescribed environmental standards. Junior Engineers and Sub-Divisional Engineers have been deputed for continuous supervision, while the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) has been instructed to form special flying squads to conduct surprise inspections during odd hours. He directed officials to finalize the complete list of STPs and CETPs, including those under construction, and to prepare a future action plan while ensuring strict adherence to project completion timelines.
Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to maintaining a clean and pollution-free Yamuna through inter-departmental coordination and strict monitoring. He stated that a clean river system is both an environmental necessity and a social responsibility, adding that Chhath Puja provides an occasion to renew collective efforts towards protecting nature and ensuring ecological balance.
Sh. Rastogi instructed departments including PHED, HSVP, HSIIDC, GMDA, ULBD, and HSPCB to identify industries with the potential to discharge pollutants into the river or its drains and to maintain strict vigil over their operations. He directed that any manipulation of operational or monitoring data must be addressed immediately and firmly.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed preparations to ensure a clean Yamuna during Chhath Puja celebrations. He instructed the Urban Local Bodies Department and the Irrigation Department to undertake the immediate removal of solid waste from drains and riverbanks. Municipal Corporations have been directed to deploy sufficient manpower and machinery to keep ghats and river stretches clean and accessible throughout the festive period.
For the next 15 days, a coordinated enforcement drive will be carried out by the Police, Municipal Corporations, Public Health Engineering Department, and Development and Panchayats wings to prevent the illegal disposal of sewage or tanker waste into the river. The PHED will deploy tankers to lift sewage for treatment at existing STPs wherever capacity allows, while Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Magistrates will monitor compliance at the district level.
Sh. Rastogi also reviewed the progress of STP projects under implementation in the Yamuna catchment area. He noted that projects with a total capacity of 107 million litres per day (MLD) are expected to be completed by March 2027.
It was informed during the meeting that six irrigation projects utilizing treated wastewater are in progress at Behrampur, Kanheli, Karnal, Haikat Nagar, Shiv Colony, and Jattal Road in Panipat, collectively covering a treatment capacity of 158 MLD. These projects, costing approximately ₹253 crore, are advancing steadily, with progress ranging from 35% to 90% across different locations.
To ensure safety and protect the Yamuna and its tributaries, fencing work is being carried out at 364 bridge locations across Haryana. The largest number of sites have been identified in Sirsa (74), Kurukshetra (73), Charkhi Dadri (50), and Kaithal (37). Similarly, 79 ghats across 19 regions have been identified for cleaning and maintenance. Of these, 40 existing ghats have already been upgraded, while 39 new ghats are being developed. Major work is underway in Hisar, Karnal, Yamuna Nagar, and Sirsa to ensure safe and clean facilities for devotees during Chhath Puja.
Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests & Wildlife, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Chairman, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Sh. Vineet Garg and Additional Chief Secretary, Irrigation & Water Resources, Sh. Anurag Agarwal were present in the meeting while Deputy Commissioners of all districts joined in via videoconferencing.