normalnormalnormal Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, called on Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini at his residence, Sant Kabir Kutir, here today. The meeting focused on strengthening civil-military synergy and issues concerning regional security.Lieutenant General Pushpendra Singh, AVSM, SM, Army Commander, Western Command, along with senior officials from Army Headquarters and the State Government, was also present during the meeting. This was the first meeting between the Army Chief and the Chief Minister since General Dhiraj Seth assumed command of the Indian Army. The interaction was coordinated by Colonel Jasdeep Sandhu, Advisor, Civil-Military Affairs and IT.Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana has a long-standing association with the Armed Forces and the State Government remains committed to supporting the welfare of serving personnel, ex-servicemen and their families. He emphasised the importance of continued coordination between the State Government and the Armed Forces in strengthening national security and creating greater opportunities for the youth.The discussions covered a wide range of issues, including internal security, youth empowerment, employment opportunities for Agniveers, welfare of ex-servicemen, housing projects, initiatives towards Atmanirbharta and operational preparedness. Preparedness and response to natural disasters, along with measures to minimise their impact, were also discussed.Meanwhile, the exemplary performance of sportspersons from Haryana serving in the Indian Army was also appreciated during the meeting.General Dhiraj Seth expressed his gratitude to the Haryana Government for its support towards the welfare of ex-servicemen and discussed new avenues for their post-retirement settlement. He also assured the Chief Minister of the Indian Army’s continued commitment and resolve towards national security and nation building.Haryana Gears Up For ‘Reform Utsav’ to Turn Citizen Voice into Governance ReformsChief Secretary Anurag Rastogi reviews preparations; focus on converting citizen suggestions into time-bound, actionable reforms with measurable outcomesHaryana is gearing up for *‘Reform Utsav’, a major citizen-driven initiative aimed at giving people a direct and meaningful role in shaping governance reforms. Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi today reviewed the preparations and emphasised the need for a clear, structured and time-bound mechanism to ensure that genuine suggestions received from citizens are not merely recorded but are converted into actionable reforms and taken through to implementation.Scheduled from October to December 2026, Reform Utsav will empower citizens to spotlight issues in government processes and propose solutions that benefit entire communities. This bottom-up movement is designed to make governance smarter, simpler, and truly results-driven. The preparation phase will start in August, including raising awareness in departments and making the State Action Plan, which is due by September 10, 2026.Haryana is preparing to extend its reform drive from the state capital to every village, town, and community, opening the doors for widespread citizen participation. The campaign is committed to guiding every citizen’s voice from idea to impactful reform, ensuring each suggestion finds a clear path to action.Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal informed that the initiative will operate through three principal stages—Jan Manthan, Vimarsh and Jan Samadhan. During Jan Manthan, citizens will contribute their reform ideas through the Reform Utsav website and extensive community outreach. In the Vimarsh stage, government departments will sift through these ideas, selecting those with the power to spark significant, system-wide improvements. Jan Samadhan will swiftly roll out quick reforms while laying the groundwork for more complex changes.He said this plan ensures the journey does not end with collecting opinions. The government is committed to moving from feedback to thoughtful discussion and, ultimately, decisive action, with every step transparently tracked on the Reform Utsav website.Chief Secretary-led committee to drive coordinationA State Coordination Committee, led by the Chief Secretary, will guide the initiative, ensure that different departments work together, monitor progress, and make changes as needed. The framework also establishes State and District-level contact points to collaborate with departments and boost local outreach. A dedicated website and dashboard will gather suggestions, track those selected for action, and display live updates on reforms at both State and national levels.The most visible phase of the campaign will begin on October 2, when Jan Manthan Sabhas are proposed to be held in every Panchayat.These Sabhas will unite citizens and district officials, with MPs, MLAs, Deputy Commissioners, SPs, and other senior leaders joining the local conversations. Help desks managed by MY Bharat volunteers and Common Service Centres will make it easy for citizens to submit their suggestions on the spot.Director, Information, Public Relations, Languages & Culture, Dr. Aditya Dahiya informed that the campaign will tap into a vast outreach network, engaging village councils, local gatherings, schools, women’s self-help groups, farmer collectives, traders, factories, cooperatives, and resident welfare associations. Online and mass media campaigns, along with social media, local radio, TV, WhatsApp, and SMS messages, will amplify the campaign’s reach and energise on-the-ground efforts. Focus on systemic solutions A standout feature of Reform Utsav is its focus on separating individual grievances from true reform ideas that can drive systemic change. The plan sets out five tests to determine whether a suggestion counts as a reform: it should apply broadly, fix a root problem in the system, bring about future change, be repeatable or scalable, and provide a positive way forward.From October 10 to November 30, departments will review suggestions and sort actionable ideas into quick wins and medium-term reforms. Quick wins will be implemented immediately, while medium-term reforms will be mapped out with clear implementation plans. Reforms needing collaboration across departments will go to the State Coordination Committee for review.The Jan Samadhan phase, running from October 10 to December 20, will be all about action. Progress on quick-win reforms will be updated on the website, and plans for medium-term reforms will be shared openly with the public.The initiative will conclude with Sankalp Siddhi from December 25 to 27, a time to showcase successes, share best practices, and present impact data. The Centre will honour top-performing States and districts, along with active village councils, city bodies, engaged citizens, and dedicated frontline workers.The initiative is more than a feedback campaign; it is a results-driven reform movement. By creating a clear channel for citizens to report systemic issues and connecting those ideas to departmental reviews, timelines, and public tracking, Haryana is working to build a government where citizen participation sparks real change and visible improvements in services.Director General, Industries & Commerce, Yash Garg, Secretary, Haryana Public Service Commission, Pankaj, Special Secretary, Monitoring & Coordination, Dr. Priyanka Soni, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.Atul Kumar Appointed In-charge of Mahendragarh DistrictThe Haryana Government has deputed Atul Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary, Transport Department, as the in-charge of Mahendragarh district, in addition to his present duties. The order has been issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi.As per the revised feedback mechanism, the officer will be required to submit quarterly feedback to the Monitoring & Coordination Cell. The review will cover key areas including projects costing ₹25 crore and above, the overall crime situation and heinous crimes, vigilance matters, the efficacy of service delivery mechanisms under the Right to Service Act, and the functioning of the Health, Education and Social sectors.The officer will also review impediments faced by the District Excise and Taxation authorities with regard to taxes, GST and related matters. In addition, he may interact with MLAs and other public representatives in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police and may visit an important site related to the Health or Education Department.Grand Tiranga Yatra to be held in Israna Assembly Constituency on August 12- Krishan Lal Panwar Yatra to begin from Madlauda Grain Market and culminate at Bhalsi village Haryana Development and Panchayats Minister, Krishan Lal Panwar said that a grand Tiranga Yatra would be organised in the Israna Assembly constituency on August 12 as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. The Minister said that he will also participate in the yatra along with residents to spread the message of patriotism, national unity and dedication to the nation.He said that the Tricolour is not merely a symbol of the country’s pride and honour, but also represents the spirit of unity and patriotism that binds every Indian together.The Minister said that the Tiranga Yatra would commence from the Madlauda Grain Market and proceed through the market to Madlauda Bus Stand. Thereafter, it would move along Assandh Road and culminate at Bhalsi village. A large number of residents, elected representatives, party workers, youth, women and representatives of various social organisations are expected to participate in the yatra carrying the Tricolour.Krishan Lal Panwar said that following the call given by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign is creating an atmosphere of patriotism across the country. Under the leadership of Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, various programmes are also being organised across the State to take the campaign to every section of society. He said that there was considerable enthusiasm among the people regarding the Tiranga Yatra being organised in the Israna Assembly constituency.The Development and Panchayats Minister appealed to the people of the constituency to participate in the Tiranga Yatra in large numbers on August 12 and express their respect and pride for the nation. He said that the yatra was not an initiative of any individual or organisation, but a collective journey of society and the nation. The Tricolour inspires everyone to uphold unity, integrity, brotherhood and a sense of duty towards the country.He said that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was continuously achieving new milestones on the global stage. At such a time, every citizen has a responsibility to contribute towards strengthening the unity and integrity of the nation. He said that upholding the dignity of the Tricolour and the honour of the nation was a collective responsibility.Krishan Panwar said that the objective of the Tiranga Yatra was not merely to walk with the Tricolour, but also to strengthen the spirit of patriotism in the hearts of citizens. He particularly called upon the youth to participate in the yatra in large numbers and take the message of the country’s unity, integrity and pride to every section of society.Haryana steps up Yamuna rejuvenation drive; Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi pushes time-bound action on sewage, solid waste and water bodiesHaryana has increased its efforts to improve the health of the Yamuna River and nearby water bodies. Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi reviewed the progress of the Yamuna Action Plan and emphasised the need to move pollution-control projects from planning and bidding to on-time completion.The review covered many actions, including sewage treatment plants (STPs), shared industrial wastewater treatment plants (CETPs), solid waste management, sewage treatment in villages along the Yamuna, restoration of water bodies, and new biogas plants.The coverage includes major urban centres such as Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Rohtak, Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh, and Yamunanagar, as well as other urban local bodies. The review noted progress on several planned sewage treatment projects across the state.Chairman, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Vinay Pratap Singh informed that in Gurugram, four major STPs are at different stages of tendering. These include a 100 MLD plant at Dhanwapur, a 100 MLD plant at Behrampur, a 40 MLD plant at Naurangpur and a 100 MLD plant in Sector 107. Financial and technical bids for these projects are scheduled to be opened in August and September.In Faridabad, work on the 20 MLD Mirzapur STP is targeted to begin by August 30, while the technical bid for the 20 MLD Surajkund project is scheduled by August 24.In Sonipat, construction of the 7.5 MLD Kundli STP is targeted to start soon. At Samalkha in Panipat, the financial bid for the proposed 4 MLD STP is scheduled to be opened by August 25.The government is also improving treatment facilities for industrial wastewater. The tender for the proposed 50 MLD CETP at Pratapgar, Faridabad, has been floated, marking the project’s entry into the tendering stage. For the 20 MLD CETP in Sector 34, Gurugram, technical bids were opened on August 3.The review also examined the proposed 15 MLD CETP at Badshahpur, the 9 MLD CETP in Sector 37, Gurugram, and other projects intended to strengthen treatment of industrial and other wastewater before discharge.The state has prepared a dedicated sewage management plan for villages along the Yamuna, recognising that river rejuvenation requires action beyond urban centres. The plan uses three-pond systems and small sewage treatment plants for villages in Sonipat, Karnal, and Panipat.The state’s plan also includes restoring local water bodies linked to the larger Yamuna ecosystem. The review identified 13 water bodies in Faridabad, Karnal, Panipat and Sonipat for rejuvenation. Together, these water bodies cover 19.12 hectares. Domestic sewage has been identified as the source of pollution for the listed sites, and the rejuvenation works are scheduled for completion by December 31, 2027.A major part of the action plan is improving solid waste management in cities. The review showed that 33 urban local bodies (ULBs) are included in the current plans. Contracts have been awarded for a 22-year period in 27 ULBs while tendering process is underway in 6 ULBs.Haryana is also connecting waste management with resource recovery by adding new biogas plants. Three planned plants have a total capacity of 650 tonnes per day. These include a 400 tonnes per day (TPD) plant at Rai-Jakhauli in Sonipat, a 100 TPD plant at Mohna-Ballabhgarh in Faridabad, and a 150 TPD plant in Yamuna Nagar. The Sonipat project is already under construction; the Faridabad project has its detailed plan ready; and the Yamuna Nagar project is being technically reviewed after bidding.Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Local Bodies, Sh. Ashok Kumar Meena and other senior officers were present in the meeting.normalnormalThe post Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth Calls on Haryana CM, Discusses Civil-Military Synergy, Ex-Servicemen Welfare appeared first on Chandigarh City News.