normalnormalnormalHaryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, chaired the High-Powered Purchase Committee (HPPC) meeting and approved key proposals, including procurement of gas circuit breakers for power infrastructure and appointment of a consultant for the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster in Hisar. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Sh. Vipul Goel also remained present during the meeting.During the meeting, approval was granted for the procurement of SF₆ gas circuit breakers for 220 kV transformers of the Haryana Power Distribution Corporation. A total of 41 gas circuit breakers will be purchased to ensure uninterrupted power supply during emergency situations. The procurement will be carried out at an estimated cost of approximately Rs. 918.4 lakh.Approval was also accorded for the appointment of a consultant to work as a Program Manager for developing infrastructure in the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster at Hisar and for new cities. With this, work on the proposed manufacturing hub in Hisar will commence, and the public is expected to benefit in the near future. The State Government has approved the consultant’s appointment for a period of three years, during which continuous monitoring and oversight of these hubs will be ensured.Additional Chief Secretary, Civil Aviation Department, Smt. G. Anupama, Chairperson, Haryana Power Utilities, Smt. Ashima Brar, Director General, Industries and Commerce Department, Dr. Yash Garg, Managing Director, HSIIDC, Sushil Sarwan, along with several senior officers, were present at the meeting.Government Vigilant on Flood Management Ahead of Monsoon: Shruti Choudhry Directions Issued to Ensure Transparency and Quality in Flood WorksHaryana Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Smt. Shruti Choudhry held a high-level review meeting with departmental officials regarding flood management in view of the upcoming monsoon season. She directed that all necessary preparations be ensured well in time to effectively deal with any potential flood situation.She instructed that tenders for all flood-related works be invited within this week to avoid any delay in execution. She further stated that payments for any work will be released only after verification by the SE, XEN, JE and the concerned Sarpanches, to ensure transparency and quality.Smt. Shruti Choudhry also directed the formation of a special team at the headquarters level to closely monitor desilting works and prevent any negligence. This team will inspect ongoing works across various areas and submit periodic reports.The Minister issued strict instructions that no compromise should be made on the quality of pipes, pumps, sandbags and other essential materials being procured. She warned that any lapse in quality at any level would invite strict disciplinary action against the concerned officials.She further directed officials to complete cleaning and repair of all canals, drains and drainage systems on priority before the onset of the monsoon, so that any flood situation in the state can be managed effectively.Haryana Amends Promotion Reservation Norms for SC EmployeesThe Haryana Government has amended instructions regarding reservation in promotion for SC candidates promoted on their own merit.As per the revised instructions issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi: “Where the actual representation is less than 20%, only the eligible Scheduled Caste employees working on feeder post(s) will be considered first against the vacant posts of promotion quota upto the extent of shortfall. Where the actual representation is already 20% or more in the promotional cadre, the eligible employees working on feeder post(s) will be considered for promotion in accordance with the applicable service rules.The counting of 20% representation of officials belonging to the Scheduled Caste category in the promotional cadre shall include those officials who have been promoted on the basis of seniority-cum merit and also by availing the benefit of reservation.”Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi Completes Self-Enumeration for Census 2027Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi took a significant step towards promoting digital participation in the upcoming Census 2027 by successfully completing his self-enumeration through the online census portal at the Civil Secretariat here today.The exercise highlighted the availability and ease of the online self-enumeration facility, which allows citizens to submit their Census details in a convenient and time-bound manner, reducing the need for physical visits.Anurag Rastogi emphasized the importance of accurate and timely data for effective policy planning and implementation. He encouraged citizens across the state to make use of the online self-enumeration facility, which is designed to be user-friendly, secure and convenient.Director, Census Operations, Haryana, Lalit Jain and Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Hema Sharma, were present on the occasion.Haryana SEC Reviews Poll Preparedness, Stresses Strict Vigilance on Law and OrderHaryana State Election Commissioner Devinder Singh Kalyan issued clear and detailed instructions to General, Police and Expenditure Observers while reviewing election preparedness in a meeting held at the Haryana State Election Commission office, Panchkula. He emphasized that conducting elections to Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner is the top priority.He directed the observers to maintain continuous vigilance over law and order in their respective areas, visit sensitive and hypersensitive polling stations to review security arrangements, and keep strict watch on the distribution of cash, liquor, clothes or any other inducements aimed at influencing voters. Instructions were also given to ensure control over illegal arms, criminal elements and anti-social activities, along with ensuring the security of locations where EVMs are stored.The State Election Commissioner said that observers should continuously assess the preparedness of the district administration and immediately bring any shortcomings to the notice of the Commission. He clarified that observers will remain stationed at their assigned locations until the entire election process is completed.Focus on Public Outreach and Grievance RedressalHe said that details of the observers’ place of stay and mobile numbers will be made available to the public through print and electronic media, enabling voters, candidates and political parties to directly reach them with complaints. Observers will remain accessible to all stakeholders and ensure that grievances are promptly forwarded to the concerned authorities for necessary action.It was also directed that the randomization process of polling personnel and EVMs will be conducted strictly in the presence of observers. They will coordinate with administrative and police officials to review law and order arrangements and basic facilities for voters at polling stations, and will conduct inspections during the election period.Strict Provisions for Expenditure MonitoringIssuing specific directions for Expenditure Observers, Devinder Singh Kalyan said that every candidate must maintain a correct day-to-day account of election expenses from nomination to declaration of results. All expenditures, including those on vehicles, fuel, campaign material, advertisements, food, water and other election-related activities, must remain within the prescribed limits. In case of exceeding the limit or failure to submit accurate accounts, action including disqualification may be taken as per rules.He directed that Expenditure Observers must regularly scrutinize the accounts of each candidate and ensure inspection at least once every three days. Special vigilance should be maintained to check illegal supply and use of liquor during elections, and necessary action including setting up checkpoints should be taken.Further, instructions were issued to ensure that candidates are informed in a timely manner about maintenance of expenditure registers, prescribed limits, inspection schedules and reporting procedures. After polling, submission of a detailed expenditure report to the Commission within the stipulated time will be mandatory.The State Election Commissioner also directed that all complaints received during the election period must be acted upon immediately, and voters should be protected from any form of threat, pressure or inducement. In case of any violence or untoward incident after polling, reports must be submitted to the Commission in the prescribed format.He further directed that observers will function strictly under the directions of the State Election Commission and will not take instructions from any other authority. In specific cases, they may be directed by the Commission to conduct inquiries and submit reports directly. If required, directions may also be issued to halt the counting process or withhold declaration of results as per prescribed provisions.Devinder Singh Kalyan stated that the active and responsible role of observers will help build confidence among voters and ensure that the election process is conducted in a fair, transparent and peaceful manner.On this occasion, Secretary, Haryana State Election Commission, Gaurav Kumar and other senior officers were also present.Haryana Strides Ahead: Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi Reviews State’s Progress On Key FrontsState Accelerates Child Welfare, Nutrition and Education Reforms with Integrated ApproachHaryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, on Monday, chaired a high-level review meeting in Chandigarh to assess the progress of key State Government initiatives in sports, early childhood education, nutrition, and higher education. The Chief Secretary said the state’s progress would be measured by its ability to deliver transparent, technology-driven and citizen-centric governance as it strives to become a leader in the national development agenda in line with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ given by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi.Haryana’s Anganwadis: Giving Every Child the Best StartCommissioner & Secretary, Women & Child Development Department, Shekhar Vidyarthi highlighted Haryana’s significant progress in transforming Anganwadi Centres into quality early learning institutions for children from birth to six years of age. More than 4,000 Anganwadi Centres have been upgraded with pre-school education kits, educational toys, furniture, hygiene materials, and RO drinking water facilities, while 21,962 additional centres have received customised education kits.A workforce of 25,000 Anganwadi Workers, trained across all 22 districts with the support of 88 State-level Master Trainers, is delivering quality care and early learning to lakhs of children daily. Monthly ECCE Days, themed around “Khel Khel Mein Seekhna” and “Swachhta aur Achi Aadatein”, see participation from over 22,800 Anganwadi Workers and 1.5 lakh parents each month.More than 1,050 Parent-Teacher Meetings have been conducted for children aged 3–6 years, while 450 PTMs and 200 home visits have been conducted for children aged 0–3 years. Around 15,000 Vidyarambh Certificates have been distributed in several districts, with remaining districts set to follow soon.The Chief Secretary directed the Women and Child Development Department to clearly define measurable targets for each actionable item and ensure their timely completion within the stipulated timelines.Focus on child welfare Education and child welfare also remained a primary focus of the review. The meeting was informed that the NIPUN Bharat Mission would be extended to Grade 5 by March 2027 and highlighted the ongoing transformation of Anganwadi Centres into high-quality Pre-School Education hubs. To ensure the health and academic tracking of the state’s youth, the administration is fast-tracking the issuance of APAAR and ABHA digital IDs for all children in the zero-to-six age group. Furthermore, the Health Department has been tasked with developing a repository of regional nutritious recipes and ensuring absolute compliance with health protocols for children with Severe Acute Malnutrition.Poshan Vatikas are being developed at Anganwadi Centres to provide fresh produce for children. Hygiene kits, including mirrors, combs, nail cutters, and towels, are also being introduced to inculcate cleanliness and self-care habits among young children.Haryana Investing in Knowledge and ResearchIn higher education, the State has launched the Haryana State Research Fund (HSRF) with an initial allocation of ₹20 crore. The fund provides research grants of up to ₹50 lakh for teachers and ₹5 lakh for students. The initiative has received 350 research proposals, with 90 shortlisted so far. The Haryana State Higher Education Council is the nodal agency for implementation.Capacity-building workshops on the National Education Policy 2020 were conducted across affiliated colleges between September and November 2025. Universities are also being encouraged to strengthen alumni networks to support academic growth and innovation.Haryana Eyes Olympic Podium in 2036Haryana, already recognised as India’s leading sporting State, is now setting ambitious targets for the 2036 Olympics. The State Government has launched Mission Olympic-2036 — Vijayee Bhavah, a long-term talent identification programme aimed at grooming children aged 8 to 10 years into world-class athletes capable of winning medals for India. Initial funding for the programme has been sanctioned by the Finance Department, and implementation will be undertaken by the Sports University of Haryana.District-level talent identification is being actively pursued under the “One District, One Sport” initiative, ensuring that sporting talent from every district — from Ambala to Nuh — gets equal opportunities. The Khelo Haryana App, announced in the State Budget, is also being developed to provide athletes with easy access to sports-related information and opportunities.Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education, AK Singh, Principal Secretary, Labour Department, Sh. Rajeev Ranjan, Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Sh. Vijay Singh Dahiya, Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Special Secretary, Monitoring & Coordination. Dr. Priyanka Soni, State Project Director, Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad, Smt. Varsha Khangwal and other senior officers were present in the meeting.Dr. Sumita Misra Reviews Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu; Orders Third-Party Audit, Directs Strategy to Boost Government Hospital ClaimsAdditional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Sumita Misra on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting in Chandigarh to assess the progress of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the State’s CHIRAYU scheme, directing strict Third Party Administrator (TPA) for audit and claims processing to be done by Haryana Medical Services Corporation Ltd (HMSCL) and ordering a strategy to increase claims from government medical colleges and public health institutions under the scheme.Chairing the review, Dr. Sumita Misra said that third-party audits would be made mandatory across the scheme’s operations to ensure that no fraudulent activities are carried out in the Ayushman Bharat process. She further directed that a clear strategy be drawn up to examine how claims from government colleges and medical institutions can be significantly increased under Ayushman Bharat.In another key directive, Dr. Sumita Misra stated that chronic haemodialysis, a critical and recurring treatment for kidney patients, must be actively claimed under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, ensuring that patients requiring regular dialysis receive full coverage without financial hardship. The review noted that Haryana has settled nearly 28 lakh claims under the Ayushman Bharat and CHIRAYU schemes, with financial assistance of more than Rs.3,900 crore disbursed to beneficiaries across the State. In the state for financial year 2025-26, claims have crossed Rs. 1,500 crore, reflecting growing awareness and utilization of the scheme among citizens.The State has a network of 1,363 empanelled hospitals ( Private -777, Public -586), including both government and private institutions, ensuring cashless treatment is available to beneficiaries across Haryana.Haryana has gone beyond the national Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY framework by implementing the CHIRAYU scheme and its extension, which covers families with an annual income of up to Rs. 3 lakh, significantly widening the healthcare safety net beyond the national eligibility criteria and bringing a larger section of the State’s population under assured health coverage. Around 1.38 crore cards of eligible beneficiaries have been generated.Guidelines issued for media coverage; Only authorised journalists to be permittedHaryana Chief Electoral Officer, A. Sreenivas, said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued detailed election coverage guidelines for media personnel in view of the ongoing Assembly General Elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, as well as by-elections in various states.He said that these guidelines are in accordance with the provisions of the Election Rules, 1961. Authorization letters will be issued to the concerned media personnel by the Chief Electoral Officer through the State Information and Public Relations Department, after due verification of media houses.Sreenivas clarified that any misuse of the authorisation letters will be strictly prohibited. To maintain the secrecy of the voting process, photography and video recording inside the polling booth are strictly prohibited.He further said that the Commission’s multi-level verification process is aimed at ensuring that only verified and authorised media personnel are granted entry to polling stations and counting centres. This will ensure transparency, security and smooth conduct of the electoral process.He said that authorized media personnel covering polling day have been included under the category of essential services. Such personnel will be eligible to avail the postal ballot facility through Postal Voting Centres (PVCs).normalnormalThe post Chief Minister chairs High-Powered Purchase Committee Meeting appeared first on Chandigarh City News.