Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini chaired a review meeting of the Forest Department in Chandigarh and directed officials to increase the green cover in the state, strengthen forest conservation and connect the plantation drive with public participation. Detailed preparations for the upcoming Van Mahotsav were also reviewed during the meeting. The Chief Minister said that plantation should not remain limited to numbers alone; protection and regular maintenance of every planted sapling must also be ensured.
The Chief Minister directed officials to identify suitable locations for plantation in panchayats, urban local bodies, municipal corporations, municipal councils and other government premises and undertake plantation on a large scale. He said that all planted saplings and trees should be geo-tagged and a complete record maintained, along with regular monitoring. Responsibility for the protection and maintenance of plantations should also be assigned at government offices and institutions where plantation is undertaken.
*Directives to Strengthen Forest Protection, Water Conservation and Technology-Based Monitoring*
The Chief Minister directed that illegal felling be completely curbed and said that trees of important species such as Khair, Sal and Shisham should be geo-fenced and numbered, with a digital record maintained. Check posts around forests should be made more effective and forest guards should regularly inspect forests and plantations. He also directed that the recruitment process for vacant Forest Guard posts be completed at the earliest and that 20 per cent of the posts be filled by Agniveers as per the prescribed provisions.
Expressing concern over incidents of forest fires, the Chief Minister said that an effective system should be put in place to prevent forest fires and strict action under the law should be ensured against those who deliberately set fire to forests.
Describing water conservation as an important foundation of forest conservation, he directed officials to increase the capacity of dams, strengthen water harvesting and pay special attention to the revival and restoration of water harvesting structures. He also directed that treated water be used for the protection of plants wherever possible.
The Chief Minister said that the upcoming Van Mahotsav should be transformed into a campaign of extensive public participation. For this, all departments, educational institutions, hospitals, industrial units, panchayats, as well as social and voluntary organisations should be associated with the campaign. Maximum use of the plantation portal and modern technology should be made to ensure effective monitoring of plantation and plant protection, so that complete records of planted saplings are available and their regular maintenance is ensured.
The Chief Minister said that environmental protection is not only the responsibility of the government but also a collective responsibility of society. He directed officials to encourage individuals and institutions undertaking plantation and provide them with the necessary support. He expressed confidence that through public participation, modern technology and effective monitoring, the goal of increasing Haryana’s green cover would gain further momentum.
Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department, Sudhir Rajpal, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Arun Kumar Gupta, Chief Minister’s Advisor for Foreign Cooperation Department Pawan Choudhary, OSD to the Chief Minister B.B. Bharti, Virender Singh Badhkhalsa, along with senior officers of the Forest Department, were present at the meeting.
Youth Must Choose Sports and Education, Not Drugs, to Build Viksit Bharat: CM Nayab Singh Saini
CM Nayab Singh Saini Says Every Police Station Will Become a Sentinel of a Drug-Free Society; Comprehensive Campaign to be Driven by Public Participation
‘Drug-Free Haryana’ to Take the Shape of a People’s Movement; Anti-Drug Task Forces to be Formed at Every Level
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the fight against drugs is not merely a law-and-order issue, but a campaign to protect society, values and humanity. He said that drugs are destroying numerous families and pushing the future of the youth towards darkness. Therefore, giving this fight the shape of a people’s movement through public participation is the need of the hour.
The Chief Minister was addressing the “Ek Police, Ek Sankalp – ‘Drug-Free Haryana’” programme organised at the Haryana Police Academy, Madhuban, Karnal, on Saturday as the chief guest. The dialogue programme, held with all Station House Officers (SHOs) of Haryana Police, aimed to further strengthen the resolve to make the state completely drug-free and to formulate an effective strategy in this direction.
*CM Congratulates 70 Super-100 Students
The Chief Minister congratulated the 70 students of the Super-100 programme who have successfully cleared the NEET examination and secured admission to medical colleges. He said that most of these students belong to economically weaker and ordinary families. Their success is the result of the government’s efforts to provide quality education and better opportunities to meritorious students.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also released the quarterly magazine of the Police Department. The magazine highlights the department’s major achievements and important operations, including the extradition of criminals from foreign countries and their return to India.
*Every Police Station Should Become a Centre of Social Transformation*
The Chief Minister said that every police station should not remain confined to maintaining law and order, but should also become a centre of social transformation. Station House Officers should establish regular dialogue with schools, colleges, panchayats, voluntary organisations, religious organisations and youth clubs in their respective areas and motivate young people to stay away from drugs and crime.
He said that today, the drug trade is reaching the youth through modern technology, social media and organised crime. Therefore, the police must also remain alert, proactive and capable in accordance with modern technology. Merely arresting drug traffickers is not enough; it is essential to dismantle the entire network. At the same time, strengthening trust between the police and the public is equally important.
The Chief Minister said that along with effective action against drugs, equal attention must be given to awareness, sensitivity and rehabilitation. Only when the police, families, teachers, doctors, social organisations, women and youth come together and work collectively will the goal of a drug-free Haryana be achieved.
He said that keeping Haryana’s youth away from drugs and connecting them with sports is a priority of the government. Haryana is to be made a hub of sports so that the youth, instead of falling prey to drugs, take to the field and win gold medals for the country. Healthy, disciplined and sports-oriented youth will be the greatest strength in building Viksit Bharat.
*Anti-Drug Task Forces to be Formed at Every Level*
The Chief Minister said that Anti-Drug Task Forces would be constituted at the state, district, subdivision, block, village and ward levels. These task forces would include public representatives, Station House Officers, officers from the Health, Education and Social Welfare Departments, voluntary organisations, social organisations, youth and women’s groups, chemists’ associations and eminent citizens, so that a comprehensive social campaign against drugs could be conducted.
He called upon the Station House Officers to work with honesty, transparency and sensitivity and said that if every SHO resolves not to allow the drug trade in his area, there will be no place for the drug mafia in Haryana. He said that the police uniform is a symbol of service, discipline and patriotism, and its dignity must be upheld under all circumstances.
The Chief Minister said that to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat-2047, it is essential for the youth to be healthy, aware, drug-free and connected with sports. He called upon all police officers to make the ‘Drug-Free Haryana’ campaign a people’s campaign and play an active role in building the bright future of the state.
*Chief Minister Announces Several Measures on Demands of Police Officers*
During the interaction with police officers, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini made several important announcements on various suggestions and demands related to the department. He said that the amount available under the Investigation Head would be increased to Rs. 10 crore so that Investigation Officers (IOs) could be provided with the necessary resources for the effective implementation of the new criminal laws.
He said that a separate reward policy for Haryana would be formulated for police officers who perform outstanding work against drug traffickers. For this purpose, the reward policies of other states would be studied and a policy suited to Haryana would be prepared.
The Chief Minister said that a software-based end-to-end monitoring system would be developed to prevent the misuse of dual-purpose drugs. Until the system is developed, necessary directions would be issued to all concerned officers to effectively curb the misuse of such medicines.
He said that the government was also considering better management of the work of Group-D employees. For this purpose, software would be developed to ensure that duties are assigned to employees in accordance with their qualifications and skills.
The Chief Minister said that deputation of Medical Officers from the Health Department would be ensured to provide better healthcare facilities to police personnel and their families. At the same time, the Social Welfare and Health Departments would be directed to prepare a detailed proposal for establishing modern drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in every district of the state, with priority given to particularly sensitive districts.
He also said that a meeting would be held with representatives associated with print, electronic and social media, as well as content creators, to seek suggestions on effectively curbing the glorification of gangsters and criminals. A decision on issuing the necessary advisory would be taken thereafter.
Making another important announcement, the Chief Minister said that Station House Officers who successfully make their respective areas effectively drug-free would be honoured by the government after due verification. He said that this initiative would promote healthy competition among SHOs and give fresh momentum to the Drug-Free Haryana campaign.
On the occasion, Director General of Police Ajay Singhal said that the department was continuously conducting special campaigns across the state against drug traffickers and taking effective action to dismantle their networks. He said that the police was not only taking strict action against drug traffickers but was also creating awareness among the youth and the general public about the harmful effects of drugs through various awareness campaigns. He also provided information about various campaigns being conducted by the department and their achievements.
MLA Yogendra Rana, Mayor of Karnal Smt. Renu Bala Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Sudhir Rajpal, Director of Haryana Police Academy, Madhuban, Kala Ramachandran, Director General of Police, Haryana State Enforcement Bureau, Navdeep Singh Virk, Pankaj Nain, along with senior officers and personnel of the Police Department, were present on the occasion.
CM Nayab Singh Saini Pays Tribute to Late Gurnam Singh Gurjar, Says His Demise an Irreparable Loss to Party Organisation and Society
Gurnam Singh Gurjar, a member of the BJP District Ambala Executive Committee, former Mandal President of Shahzadpur and former Chairman of the Shahzadpur Block Samiti, passed away on July 17 due to cardiac arrest.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini visited the residence of late Gurnam Singh Gurjar in village Dhanana, Ambala district. The Chief Minister paid his respects to the mortal remains of late Gurnam Singh Gurjar by draping a shawl over the body and placing the Bharatiya Janata Party flag, and offered his heartfelt tribute.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini met the family members of late Gurnam Singh Gurjar and expressed his deep condolences.
The Chief Minister said that late Gurnam Singh Gurjar was a dedicated, disciplined and committed worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He made a significant contribution towards strengthening the organisation as well as in the field of social service. His simple personality, dedication to public service and loyalty towards the organisation would always remain inspirational.
The Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give the bereaved family the strength to bear this irreparable loss.
Haryana to Double Vocational Education Coverage, Introduce AI and FinTech in Government Schools
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi reviews education reforms; directs districts to achieve 100% enrolment and make students future-ready
Haryana is set to significantly expand vocational education in government schools, introduce emerging subjects such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Financial Technology (FinTech), and strengthen digital and skill-based learning as part of a comprehensive strategy to prepare students for future careers.
The roadmap was reviewed by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi during a review meeting of Samagra Shiksha Scheme on Saturday. All Deputy Commissioners from all the districts participated through video conferencing.
Reviewing the progress, SRastogi directed officials to accelerate the implementation of education reforms and ensure that every student benefits from quality education, modern infrastructure and industry-oriented skills. He also asked Deputy Commissioners to work towards achieving 100 per cent enrolment and improving learning outcomes in their respective districts.
Principal Secretary, School Education, Vijay Singh Dahiya, informed that Haryana has prepared an ambitious plan to expand vocational education to 306 additional government schools in the first phase. This will increase vocational education coverage from 31 per cent to 60 per cent of secondary students in 2026-27, with the long-term objective of extending the programme to every Government secondary and senior secondary school.
He said the department is also planning to introduce AI and FinTech courses alongside the existing 15 vocational sectors, giving students early exposure to emerging technologies and preparing them for future employment opportunities.
The vocational education programme is already making significant progress. During 2025-26, 1.58 lakh students in Classes VI to VIII received vocational exposure through workshops, internships, projects and Kaushal Melas in 1,382 Government schools. At the secondary level, 2.13 lakh students are enrolled in vocational education across 1,398 government schools, with nearly 45 per cent opting for skill-based courses.
State Project Director, Swapnil Ravindra Patil informed that Haryana is also expanding multilingual education. French language is currently taught in 26 Government schools, benefiting around 4,000 students, while German language is proposed for Government schools in the next phase.
Patil informed that, in line with the Haryana Government’s decision to strengthen district-level monitoring of schools, the Additional Deputy Commissioners (ADCs) have been assigned the responsibility of overall supervision and monitoring of school education in their respective districts. The ADCs will monitor infrastructure development, implementation of Government schemes, maintenance of digital facilities, sanitation, teaching quality, attendance and discipline, besides ensuring timely execution of civil works and other educational initiatives. This move is expected to strengthen field-level supervision and improve the quality of school education across the state.
He said Haryana continues to outperform the national average in school enrolment. According to UDISE 2025-26, the State’s Gross Enrolment Ratio stands at 94 per cent at the secondary level against the national average of 81.5 per cent, while the higher secondary GER is 79 per cent, compared with the national average of 61.7 per cent. Free transport, bicycles and the Vidyarthi Parivahan Suraksha Yojana are helping in improving school attendance, particularly in rural areas.
To bring school dropouts back into the education system, nearly 2,000 out-of-school adolescents aged 15-19 have been identified for mainstreaming during 2026-27. The state has earmarked ₹40 lakh to provide financial assistance towards board examination fees and stationery for economically weaker students. The School Education Department is working with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), while teachers will counsel dropout students to resume their education. The department is also identifying one government school in every district as a model institution for vocational and flexible learning to support students pursuing alternative education pathways, he added.
Reviewing infrastructure, the Chief Secretary was informed that Haryana has achieved 100 per cent availability of electricity, safe drinking water and separate toilets for boys and girls in government schools. Nearly 99 per cent of schools are equipped with digital infrastructure, including smart classrooms, ICT laboratories, internet connectivity and STEM facilities.
Officials also highlighted the State’s focus on academic excellence through 218 Model Sanskriti Schools, 251 PM SHRI Schools, 250 Chief Minister Education Encouragement of Excellence Schools, the expanded Super-100 programme for 500 students and Mission Buniyaad for strengthening foundational learning.
The meeting further reviewed the rollout of Holistic Progress Cards, expansion of teacher training under a new Continuous Professional Development framework covering more than 1.1 lakh teachers, and the launch of the School Accreditation Haryana (SACH) Portal, which will strengthen the quality assessment and academic monitoring across government schools.
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi said Haryana’s education reforms are focused on creating a modern, technology-driven and skill-oriented education system that equips every student with the knowledge and competencies needed to succeed in higher education and in the evolving global economy.
