Political parties must focus on saving Himachal from drugs: Governor Shukla
Shimla: All political parties must first campaign to save Himachal Pradesh before promoting themselves, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said on Tuesday. He also flagged off an anti-drug awareness rally at Barrier Chowk in the Kangra district's Indora and announced a new direction for higher educational institutions, under which students would be required to submit an affidavit during admission, pledging to abstain from drugs and violation of this pledge would lead to disciplinary action. "All political parties must first campaign to save Himachal before promoting themselves. Only by eradicating drugs can we preserve the state's rich cultural heritage," the governor said. He lauded the students for their powerful participation and said their voice had resonated across the state. He said that the 'Drug-Free Himachal' campaign was launched with the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and had since evolved into a people's movement.
Haryana Govt to hold State-Level Panchayati Raj programme in Panchkula on April 24
Chandigarh: To empower Panchayati Raj Institutions to become more robust, accountable, and transparent, the Haryana Government will organize a state-level programme on April 24 at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini will be the chief guest of the event. The objective of this event is not only to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system but also to inform elected representatives, especially women, about their rights, responsibilities, and government schemes, thereby making them more impactful. Panchayati Raj representatives from across the state will participate in this programme.
Chandigarh Cong blames BJP, Admn for MC’s financial crisis; Hike in property tax
Chandigarh: Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari on Tuesday said that the root cause of the problems faced by Chandigarh is the woefully less allocation of funds to its Municipal Corporation. Only Rs 570 çrores were allocated last year as against the due grant of above 1600 crores. This year also, the corporation is being allocated just Rs. 675 crores as against its due share of more than Rs. 1700 crores for the current year based on recommendations of the Delhi Finance Commission. Tewari said this in the meeting of Chandigarh Pradesh and District Congress Committees held at Sector 35 Congress Bhawan.
Rajiv Sharma, Chief spokesperson of Chandigarh Congress, said that the meeting was called to discuss the party's future course of action in view of the exorbitant rise in collector rates and property tax in the city and the relentless attacks by the Union government to undermine the constitution. “It was unanimously resolved to intensify the party's ongoing peaceful agitation against BJP and Chandigarh Administration demanding roll back of the back breaking hike in property tax and Collector rates on the city residents. It was also resolved to organize a big "save Constitution sabha" at Congress Bhawan soon.”
Minister directs Anganwadi workers to give special attention to child care and nutrition
Chandigarh: Haryana Women and Child Development and Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Shruti Choudhry on Tuesday conducted a surprise visit to the Anganwadi Centre in Jhanjhari village of Karnal and reviewed the arrangements at the centre and gave necessary directions to the District Program Officer. She also checked various registers at the Anganwadi centre, including records of children's attendance, nutrition, and health. She also inspected the quality of the food served to the children. During her visit, she interacted with the children and asked about their education and health. She also enquired about the facilities provided to them.
Haryana’s first Balika Panchayat formed in Fatehabad’s Barseen village
Chandigarh: To empower young girls, Haryana’s first Balika Panchayat was constituted in village Barseen, Fatehabad, by the Zila Parishad. The panchayat was formed through a formal voting process in which girls aged 11 to 21 actively participated and were elected to various posts. A government spokesperson said that the program was held in district Fatehabad, where Deputy Commissioner Mandeep Kaur attended as the chief guest. She distributed certificates to the newly elected Sarpanch and Panch members of the Balika Panchayat. The spokesperson informed that the Balika Panchayat in village Barseen has been constituted as a pilot project. Following its success, similar panchayats were established in every village of the district to promote the welfare and participation of girls. The key objectives of forming these panchayats include supporting the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign and fostering gender equality. The Balika Panchayat aims to raise awareness among girls and women about their rights, issues related to women’s safety, nutrition, and sanitation. The Balika Panchayat will focus on vital areas such as education, health, safety, sanitation, and gender equality. It will work in coordination with the Gram Panchayat and take part in its proceedings. Members of the Balika Panchayat will also be provided training in governance, leadership, and social development.
NHM launches a new initiative ‘SARTHAK’ for quality services in health department
Chandigarh: To ensure accountability, quality improvement, and enhanced service delivery across healthcare facilities in the state, the Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Haryana, Dr Virender Yadav said that NHM, Health Department, Haryana has launched a new initiative called SARTHAK (Systematic Assessment and Resilient Transformation in Health Accountability and Knowledge). Through this initiative, dedicated teams from the NHM Haryana Headquarters and Director General Health Services (DGHS) shall visit each district, evaluating healthcare facilities ranging from District Hospitals (DHs) to Sub-Centres (SCs), including the performance of frontline health workers such as Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANMs).
Hry Govt will extend full cooperation to Army in all its initiatives: ACS Sumita Misra
Chandigarh: Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department Sumita Misra on Tuesday said that the State Government will extend full cooperation to Army in all its initiatives. Presiding over a preliminary meeting in connection with the upcoming Civil-Military Liaison Conference (CMLC)- 2025, Haryana, she directed all departments concerned and Deputy Commissioners to expedite action on issues pertaining to the CMLC and submit their reports within stipulated timelines. She also emphasized timely execution of tasks to ensure effective civil-military cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Major General Ranjiv Singh Saini from the Indian Army. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held with senior officers of the Indian Army, officers of the concerned departments of the Haryana Government and the concerned District Deputy Commissioners on establishing coordination between the Indian Army (Western Command) and the Haryana Government and issues related to land, welfare of soldiers and ex-servicemen of the Army.
Haryana ACS reviews action plan of 100-day TB elimination campaign
Panchkula: Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Sudhir Rajpal on Tuesday reviewed the achievements of the recent 100-day TB elimination campaign in Panchkula. He also reviewed the action plan of all the districts to eliminate TB. He assessed the progress of the TB-free Kurukshetra initiative. He issued a directive to identify and screen at least 15 close contacts of every TB patient and initiate TB preventive therapy as needed. Furthermore, he announced the constitution of a State Task Committee dedicated to generating demands for essential equipment and funds, and to closely monitor the screening process, with a target of completing screening in Kurukshetra before June 30, 2025. In a significant move to bolster efforts in Kurukshetra, all Ayurvedic Medical Officers in the district will actively contribute to the National TB Elimination Programme at the sub-center level. The ACS (Health) gave directions that all MPHW (Male) will do the work of TB screening for the National TB programme in District Kurukshetra.