Monday, June 4, 2018
  • Chandigarh June 4- Taking a significant decision on the eve of ‘World Environment Day’ on June 5, the Haryana Government has decided to ban single-use water bottles in all government offices in the state.        
  • This and several other environment-friendly decisions were taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal, here today. Now, only multi-use water bottles will be used in all government offices. 
  • The Chief Minister said a five-point programme would be implemented for maintaining ecological balance. Besides  banning single-use water bottles in government offices, the programme includes plantation of 20 lakh saplings, replacing halogen and sodium bulbs and tubelights with LED in government offices across the state by August 15, digging of 1,000 pits for water recharging and rain water harvesting in  government buildings in ten municipal corporations within three months, and making Haryana a polythene-free state. 
  • It has also been decided that from now onwards, the Urban Local Bodies Department would not purchase any new stock of bulbs and tubelights other than LED. The damaged or non-functioning street lights in municipalities would be replaced only with LED.
  • The Urban Local Bodies Minister, Mrs Kavita Jain, Transport, Home and Jails Minister, Mr Krishan Lal Panwar, and Minister of State for Public Health and Engineering, Dr Banwari Lal, were also present at the meeting.
  • The Chief Minister directed the departments concerned to take up the five-point programme in mission mode and implement it withing a maximum of six months through public participation. 
  • India is the global host of 2018 World Environment Day on June 5, 2018. The state government has decided to celebrate World Environment Day in a befitting manner throughout the state, he added.
  • The Chief Minister directed that single-used water bottles would not be used in government offices; only multi-used water bottles would be used. No orders will be issued for the purchase of single-use water bottles from tomorrow. 
  • He issued directions that a special plantation drive be launched in the state under which students from class 6th to 12th would plant at least one sapling each on the premises of their houses. They would also be provided tree-guards at economical rates. This would not only connect the students with plants but also ensure their safety and upkeep, he added.  
  • There are about 20 lakh students studying in classes 6th to 12th in the state. Plants would be made available by the Forest Department. The activity would be jointly carried out by the departments of Forest, Education, Urban local Bodies and Development and Panchayats.
  • The Chief Minister said sufficient number of taps would be provided to keep a check on the wastage of water.  The Public Health and Engineer Department, Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) and Urban Local Bodies Department have been told to generate awareness among the people to save water by organizing camps and by drafting slogans. 
  • Laying emphasis on the recharging of water, the Chief Minister directed digging of 1,000 pits for water recharging and rain water harvesting in government buildings in ten municipal corporations within three months.
  • Besides, he also directed the Urban Local Bodies Department to conduct a survey of houses of 500 square yards and above, to see whether they have made provision for water recharging and rain water harvesting.
  • Mr Manohar Lal said the state government had drawn up plans to replace all halogen and sodium bulbs and tubelights in the state with energy-efficient LED bulbs and tubelights. To begin with, it has been decided to effect this replacement in government buildings by August 15. A comprehensive scheme would be prepared to replace the plastic goods in the state, especially the polythene bags, he added.
  • Among those present included the Chief Secretary Mr D.S Dhesi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Rajesh Khullar, Additional Principal Secretary, Dr Rakesh Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Transport, Mr Dhanpat Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Public Health and Engineering, Mr Rajiv Arora, Principal Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Manging Director HVPN, Mr Vineet Garg, Director General Urban Local Bodies, Mr Nitin Yadav, and other senior officers of various departments.
  • Chandigarh June 4: Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal, has congratulated Ms Monal Kukreja of Haryana for winning two medals, one gold and one silver in World Cup Diamond Kickboxing Competition.
  • In his tweet, Mr Manohar Lal has congratulated Ms Monal Kukreja on this big achievement and said that the daughter of Haryana has brought laurels to the State by winning medals at the mega event. Ms Monal Kukreja has won gold medal in kick light event and Silver Medal in light contact event in 37 kilogram category in World Cup Diamond Kickboxing Competition.
  • The Chief Minister has also wished for the bright future of Ms Monal Kukreja.
  • Chandigarh June 4: Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal will start a new programme, ‘Mukhyamantri se Seedhi Baat’ from the villages falling under Pundri Assembly Constituency to have direct interaction with the people of the area on June 8, 2018. He will visit village Kaul, Pai, Dhand and Habdi to have one-on-one interaction with the people of these villages.
  • While stating this here today, an official spokesman said that under this programme, the Chief Minister would visit each Assembly Constituency, especially rural areas. The aim of this programme is to establish a direct communication of government with people, to share the developmental and welfare schemes and policies of the state government, gathering feedback and on the spot redressal of grievances of the people.
  • He said that the Chief Minister has continuously been maintaining direct communication with all sections of the society, be it farming community, traders, industrialists, employees or youth. As a result, the state is fast marching on the path of equitable development and welfare of each and every section of the society.