Chandigarh, May 11 -- Haryana chief secretary Anurag Rastogi on Saturday directed departments to remain on high alert and put in place the contingency plans for swift action whenever required as the state administration geared up to strengthen the civil defence mechanism with Pakistan targeting civilians during the ongoing hostilities.

Presiding over the first meeting of the state civil advisory and implementation committee, chief secretary Rastogi, who is also the committee chairperson, directed all administrative secretaries to immediately recall officers and officials currently on leave.

The objective of the meeting was to ensure that civil defence mechanisms are robust and well-coordinated to protect people, property, and essential ...