Development and Panchayats Minister Krishan Lal Panwar to chair meeting; all district officers directed to remain present

KURUKSHETRA / PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK

Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena has announced that the monthly meeting of the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee will be held on August 25, 2026, at 11 am at the auditorium of the New Mini Secretariat in Kurukshetra.

The meeting will be chaired by Haryana Development and Panchayats Minister Krishan Lal Panwar. The monthly meeting is expected to bring together senior district officials and representatives of various government departments to address matters placed before the committee and ensure coordinated action on issues concerning the public.

Deputy Commissioner Meena has issued clear instructions to all concerned officers regarding their attendance. He said that no officer should remain on leave on August 25 in view of the importance of the meeting. All officers have been directed to ensure their presence at the auditorium of the New Mini Secretariat by 10:45 am, fifteen minutes before the scheduled commencement of the meeting.

The District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee serves as an important platform for the administration to review public grievances and matters requiring intervention from different departments. The meeting provides an opportunity for issues affecting citizens to be examined collectively, with the concerned authorities expected to provide information and take appropriate action wherever necessary.

The Deputy Commissioner emphasised the need for all departments to remain prepared for the meeting and ensure that officers authorised to deal with matters relating to their respective departments are present. Timely attendance and departmental preparedness are essential for the effective functioning of such grievance redressal mechanisms.

The district administration has been working to strengthen coordination among government departments and improve the delivery of public services. Meetings of the committee are intended to facilitate direct review of matters requiring administrative attention and help ensure that concerns brought before the forum receive appropriate consideration.

Officials have therefore been asked to treat the August 25 meeting as a priority and remain available for the proceedings. The Deputy Commissioner’s directions make it clear that departmental representation should not be affected by leave or other routine engagements on the day of the meeting.

The meeting, scheduled to begin at 11 am, will be held under the chairmanship of Minister Krishan Lal Panwar and is expected to review matters placed before the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee in accordance with the established procedure.

The district administration has instructed all officers to report to the venue by 10:45 am to ensure that the proceedings can commence smoothly and on time.

Photo Caption: Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena announces the schedule for the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee meeting in Kurukshetra.

POCSO Awareness Programme Organised for Students at Government Primary School in Kurukshetra

An awareness programme on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, commonly known as the POCSO Act, was organised for students at Government Primary School, Sector 2, Kurukshetra, with the objective of making children aware of personal safety, legal protection and the importance of reporting inappropriate incidents without fear.

The programme was organised under the directions of District and Sessions Judge Dinesh Kumar Mittal. District Legal Services Authority Secretary and Chief Judicial Magistrate Nitika Bhardwaj addressed the students and explained important provisions of the law relating to the protection of children from sexual offences.

During the interaction, the students were sensitised about personal safety and the importance of remaining alert to inappropriate behaviour or situations. They were informed that children should not remain silent if they experience or become aware of any inappropriate incident and should seek help from trusted adults and the appropriate authorities.

Nitika Bhardwaj explained that awareness is an important part of child protection. Children need to understand their rights and should know that legal and institutional mechanisms are available to provide assistance and protection when required.

The students were also informed about the NALSA free legal services helpline, 15100, through which eligible persons can seek free legal assistance and guidance. The programme highlighted the role of the legal services system in providing support and access to legal remedies.

Teachers of the school were also made aware of the various free legal services and facilities being provided by the District Legal Services Authority to children and other eligible persons. The interaction focused on ensuring that educators are also familiar with the support mechanisms available through the legal services system.

The awareness programme aimed to help create a safer and more informed environment for children. Students were encouraged to understand the importance of personal safety, remain alert and communicate without hesitation when they require help or protection.

The initiative also focused on making children aware of their legal rights in an age-appropriate manner. By providing information about available legal assistance and protection mechanisms, the programme sought to ensure that students know where they can turn for help in situations requiring intervention.

The District Legal Services Authority regularly undertakes legal awareness activities to improve public understanding of rights and available legal remedies. Such programmes in educational institutions play an important role in familiarising children with basic legal safeguards and encouraging them to seek assistance whenever necessary.

The programme at Government Primary School, Sector 2, was therefore aimed at combining awareness about the POCSO Act with practical guidance on personal safety and access to legal assistance.

Photo Caption: DLSA Secretary and CJM Nitika Bhardwaj interacts with students during a POCSO Act awareness programme at Government Primary School, Sector 2, Kurukshetra.

Students in Ismailabad Sensitised About POCSO Act and NALSA Legal Services Schemes

Students and other participants at two schools in Ismailabad were sensitised about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and legal services available for children and persons with disabilities during awareness programmes organised with the support of the Sub-Divisional Legal Services Committee, Pehowa.

The programmes were conducted at Headway World School and Jai Gurudev High School under the directions of District and Sessions Judge Dinesh Kumar Mittal.

District Legal Services Authority Secretary and Chief Judicial Magistrate Nitika Bhardwaj said that the awareness initiative was aimed at providing students and other participants with important information about child protection laws, children’s rights, legal assistance and the remedies available to victims of offences.

During the programme, participants were informed about the provisions relating to the protection of children from sexual offences. They were sensitised about the rights of children, protection against sexual offences and the importance of seeking appropriate assistance in the event of an offence.

The sessions also provided information about legal assistance and remedies available to children who may require support through the justice and legal services system. The objective was to ensure that participants understand that legal mechanisms exist to protect children and provide assistance to those in need.

Information was also shared about the NALSA Child-Friendly Legal Services to Children Scheme, 2024, and the NALSA Legal Services to Persons with Disabilities Scheme, 2024.

The participants were informed that children and persons with disabilities can access free legal assistance and other legal services through the District Legal Services Authority for the protection of their rights.

The programme highlighted the importance of making legal services accessible to vulnerable sections of society. Legal awareness, particularly among children and young people, can help ensure that they are better informed about their rights and understand where assistance may be available.

Advocate Ramandeep Saini was present on duty during the programme and played an important role in its organisation and conduct.

A total of 130 beneficiaries from the two schools actively participated in the awareness activities.

The programme focused on strengthening awareness regarding child protection, legal rights and access to free legal services. Participants were encouraged to understand the importance of legal safeguards and the support mechanisms available through the District Legal Services Authority.

By conducting awareness programmes in educational institutions, the legal services authorities aim to bring information about rights and legal remedies closer to students and other members of the community. The initiative at the two Ismailabad schools was part of this broader effort to ensure that children and vulnerable groups are aware of the legal assistance and protection available to them.

The awareness programmes concluded with participants being provided information about the legal services available to children and persons with disabilities and the role of the District Legal Services Authority in facilitating access to justice.

Photo Caption: Students participate in a legal awareness programme on the POCSO Act and NALSA legal services schemes at schools in Ismailabad.

POD/DESK