CM Saini urges youth to stay away from drugs

Thousands of residents of Kaithal and surrounding areas on Sunday joined hands against drug menace and participated in a half marathon for ‘drug-free Haryana’.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also took part in the half marathon to inspire the youth to stay healthy and join forces in the fight against drug abuse.

He emphasised that drug addiction is a grave social evil that not only destroys the individual but also devastates families and weakens the fabric of society. “It adversely impacts both physical and mental health, and erodes social harmony,” he said.

While flagging off a half marathon on Ambala road, Saini emphasised that ending drug addiction would lead to healthier youth, propelling the progress of society, state and the nation. He reaffirmed that the youth would play a pivotal role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047.

Paralympic medallist and half marathon brand ambassador Harvinder Singh, along with mountaineer Reena Bhatti, also took part in the event.

Late on Saturday evening, Saini, while interacting with mediapersons in Kaithal, took a jibe at the Congress, saying if its leaders cannot see the holistic development taking place across the state, they “should consider getting their eyesight tested”.

Besides, Saini also held a meeting of officials to review ongoing development works and directed them to ensure timely execution of projects. He also ordered disciplinary action against five government officials for prolonged delays and negligence in executing development tenders and addressing public grievances.

These officials include Executive Engineer (XEN) of Kaithal Municipal Council, Secretaries of Municipal Committees of Pundri and Siwan, Secretary of the Dhand Market Committee and the Municipal Engineer of Pundri.

During the meeting, the CM presented photographs of damaged roads across villages and towns in the district, seeking explanations from Public Works, Marketing Board and Urban Local Bodies officials.

He also directed the Deputy Commissioner to prepare a comprehensive report on all tenders floated by various departments and to track their current status. Additionally, he instructed that a detailed report on road conditions be compiled.