Directions to Release Pending Dues of Van Mitras by September 15

Chandigarh, September 8:- Haryana Forest and Environment Minister Rao Narbir Singh has directed officials to ensure under all circumstances that the pending maintenance payments of Van Mitras for the financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27 are released by September 15. He directed the District Forest Officers (DFOs), who are also Drawing and Disbursing Officers, to issue clear and strict instructions in this regard.
Rao Narbir Singh said that under no circumstances would arbitrary actions by DFOs be allowed. Van Mitras are an important link between the Forest Department and the general public in the tree plantation campaign. He said that Van Mitras should be allowed to plant saplings not only on private land but also on Forest Department land, so that the green cover in the state can be increased and the target of 'Green Haryana' can be effectively achieved.
The Forest and Environment Minister was today presiding over a review meeting of departmental officials regarding pending issues related to the demands of Van Mitras. Additional Chief Secretary Shri Sudhir Rajpal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. K.C. Meena, Shri T.P. Singh and other senior officials were present in the meeting.
It was informed in the meeting that during 2026-27, approximately 4 lakh saplings were planted by 635 Van Mitras. Of these, 2 lakh 14 thousand 992 saplings have already been verified by forest guards and other officials after uploading their details on the portal.
Rao Narbir Singh directed that the portal for registration as Van Mitras should remain open until September 30, 2026. He also called upon already registered Van Mitras to encourage the maximum possible number of people in their respective areas to join the campaign.
He directed that an initiative should also be undertaken to register women as Van Mitras through self-help groups. He said that this year, on the occasion of the festival of Raksha Bandhan, women were encouraged to participate in 'One Rakhi, One Tree', to which women showed great enthusiasm in large numbers.
The Forest Minister said that the Forest Department should also make its own land available for plantation, so that the maximum number of saplings can be planted and their care can be ensured for 4 to 5 years.
It was also informed in the meeting that approximately 5,300 trees have been identified in the state under the Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme. The persons taking care of these trees are provided a pension of Rs. 1,000 per year by the government.