Confusion over nomenclature of common cadre Group-D posts resolved, Haryana Government issues fresh instructions
Chandigarh, October 9 — The Haryana Government has decided that combined posts such as Peon-cum-Chowkidar, Mali-cum-Chowkidar, and Mali-cum-Sweeper shall be considered equivalent to Peon and Mali, respectively. This decision will apply to postings made under the Common Cadre. A letter has been issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi in this regard.
This decision is in accordance with Section 23 of the Haryana Group-D Employees (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2018, which takes precedence over all other service rules.
It is noteworthy that several employees appointed under Advertisement No. 01/2023 were unable to assume charge in their allotted departments due to discrepancies in designations. Differences in nomenclature, such as Mali vs Mali-cum-Chowkidar and Peon vs Peon-cum-Chowkidar, had led to confusion.
Under the revised instructions issued by the Government, all affected Group-D employees will now be able to join duty in their respective departments. The date of relieving from the offices of Divisional Commissioners/Deputy Commissioners, Panchkula, and the date of submission of joining reports on the official portal shall be treated as the effective date of appointment.
The Government has directed all Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments to immediately communicate these instructions to all concerned officers and ensure their strict and prompt compliance. These directions have been categorized as urgent to ensure that the posting process of newly appointed employees is completed smoothly.
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ACS Sudhir Rajpal directs to launch a special campaign for birth registration of children in slum areas
Chairs meeting of the Special Task Force
Chandigarh, October 9- Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department, Haryana, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal has directed officers to launch a special campaign to ensure birth registration of children residing in slum and underprivileged areas. He said Civil Surgeons will visit these areas personally and supervise the campaign activities on the ground.
Sh. Sudhir Rajpal was presiding over a meeting of the “Special Task Force” constituted to control the sex ratio.
He directed the Health Department officers to launch a special campaign to register births in slum areas and other backward areas, as not all children are being registered. He directed that all Civil Surgeons be assigned responsibility for monitoring the campaign through regular and surprise inspections to ensure proper implementation.
Expressing displeasure over the lack of desired improvement in sex ratio in certain districts, the Additional Chief Secretary said that strict action would be taken against the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of any district where the sex ratio has shown a decline during the stipulated period compared to the previous year.
During the meeting it was informed that a pharmacist was suspended last month for unsatisfactory performance and an FIR has been registered against an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Health Department.
It was also informed that while the sex ratio of girls from January 1, 2024, to October 8, 2024, was 905, it has now improved by four points to 909 during January 1, 2025, to October 8, 2025.
Managing Director, NHM, Dr. R.S. Dhillon, Director General Health Services (HQ) Dr. Manish Bansal, DGHS (P) Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Director, MCH Dr. Virender Yadav, and other senior officers from the departments of Women and Child Development, AYUSH, and DGHS remained present during the meeting.
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Free platelets available in government hospitals: Aarti Singh Rao
255 wards and 1091 beds reserved for dengue patients
Chandigarh, October 9 – Haryana Health Minister Aarti Singh Rao said that free platelets (single donor platelets) are available to the people of Haryana at government hospitals. If needed, the government will also arrange platelets from private blood banks. She assured that the dengue situation in the state is under control and that the government is continuously monitoring it.
Speaking to the media at her official residence in Chandigarh today, the Health Minister shared that so far, 65,707 samples have been collected for dengue testing across the state, with 1,041 confirmed cases. No deaths have been reported due to dengue. Testing is being conducted regularly, and is free at government hospitals, while private hospitals have a nominal fee of Rs 600. Blood sampling has also been at the block level (CHC/PHC), with 27 testing laboratories currently operational. To handle any surge in cases, 255 wards and 1,091 beds have been reserved for dengue patients in government hospitals.
In light of the dengue outbreak season, the Health Department has surveyed 3.17 crore homes, discovering dengue larvae in 1.73 lakh of them, which were immediately eliminated. Notices have been issued to 87,143 homes where larvae were repeatedly found. Fogging operations have been conducted at 7,874 locations across the state to curb the spread of dengue. Responsibilities have been assigned to all departments through meetings at the state, district, and local levels, with municipal and panchayat departments actively monitoring fogging activities.
Aarti Singh Rao also appealed to the public to avoid water stagnation and keep coolers, tanks, and containers clean. She urged anyone experiencing symptoms of fever or dengue to consult a doctor immediately and avoid self-medication. Health Minister said that the government will soon purchase 28 Mobile Food Safety Testing Vans to closely monitor and prevent the sale of fake food items in the 14 Haryana districts that are part of the National Capital Region (NCR).
Aarti Singh Rao stated that in view of the festive season, the state government has intensified its campaign against food adulteration. Food safety inspections are being conducted across the state, and 3,682 food samples have been collected since October 2024. Of these, 606 samples failed quality checks. Legal action has been initiated, with cases filed in the court of the ADC-cum-Adjudicating Officer, and fines amounting to Rs over 1.10 crore have been imposed on violators.
She added that Food Safety Officers have been directed to prevent the inflow of adulterated food items from neighboring states. Two food testing laboratories are currently operational, with a guaranteed reporting time of 14 days. While acknowledging the current limitation in lab capacity, the Minister said that steps are being taken to expand infrastructure. A proposal has been submitted to the central government requesting the establishment of five FSSAI-approved labs and three NCRPB labs in Haryana.
Providing further updates, the Minister informed that during the recently concluded Seva Pakhwada (September 17 to October 2), the Health Department organized 28,000 health camps, screening approximately 28 lakh people. In addition, around 127,000 people were screened at private hospitals and institutions.
Responding to another question, the Health Minister informed that the department has set rates for the purchase of 241 items, including medicines and consumables, which will cost Rs 419 crore. Contracts worth Rs 134 crore have also been signed for the purchase of 28 types of medical equipment.
From October 2024 to the present, the department has issued 590 online purchase orders valued at Rs 103 crore for life-saving medicines, antibiotics, and injections. Additionally, purchase orders worth Rs 56 crore have been issued for medical equipment.
The Minister further said that CT scan machines will soon be installed in Bahadurgarh, Charkhi Dadri, Narnaul, and Fatehabad under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Similarly, MRI machines will be installed in Kurukshetra, Panipat, Narnaul, Fatehabad, Bahadurgarh, Palwal, Yamunanagar, Sonipat, Sirsa, and Kaithal under the same model.
The department has also placed orders for 14 new X-ray machines, and an additional 74 will be purchased soon.
On the occasion, Health Minister Aarti Singh Rao congratulated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on completing 25 years of public service as both Chief Minister and Prime Minister. She remarked that under his leadership, the nation continues to advance across various sectors. She also informed that on October 17, the Prime Minister will inaugurate several major development projects in Sonipat, which are expected to provide fresh momentum to Haryana's growth.
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ECI directs political parties to adhere to MCC & relevant guidelines on use of AI for synthetic videos targeting rival parties, candidates
Chandigarh, October 9 - With the announcement of the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar and the bye-elections to 8 Assembly Constituencies on October 6, 2025, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force. These provisions also apply to the content being posted on the internet, including social media by candidates and political parties.
An ECI spokesperson said as per provision of MCC, criticism of other parties when made shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life not connected with the public activities of the leaders or workers of other parties. Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion must be avoided.
The Commission has advised the parties against misuse of AI-based tools to create deep fakes that distort information or propagate misinformation over social media platforms, emphasizing the need to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
Further, all Political Parties and their leaders, candidates and star campaigners have been asked to take necessary measures for prominent labeling of AI-generated/synthetic content, if any, being shared for campaigning through their social media platforms or in the form of advertisements using clear notations such as "AI-Generated", "Digitally Enhanced", or "Synthetic Content".
Strict watch on social media posts is being kept to ensure that the election atmosphere is not vitiated. The Commission has made elaborate arrangements for ensuring the effective implementation of MCC Guidelines. Any violation of these Guidelines would be dealt with strictly.
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Haryana’s Industries Minister meets Deputy Governor of Fukuoka, holds discussion on collaboration in automotive and robotics sectors
Industries Minister invites investors to ‘Happening Haryana Global Investors’ Summit’
Chandigarh, October 9 — Haryana’s Industries and Commerce Minister Sh. Rao Narbir Singh, during his visit to Japan, held an important meeting today with the Deputy Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture and discussed strengthening cooperation in automotive manufacturing, robotics, and advanced technologies.
It is noteworthy that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, a high-level delegation from Haryana recently visited Japan, where investment opportunities were promoted through meetings in Tokyo and Osaka. Now, under the leadership of the Industries Minister, the ongoing visit is covering other industrial regions of Japan, giving new momentum to bilateral collaboration.Fukuoka is known for its strong base of automobile companies and its expertise in robotics and engineering. Investors in the region expressed keen interest in collaborating with Haryana’s growing industrial ecosystem and technological capabilities.
Emphasizing Haryana’s focus on transportation, research and development-driven manufacturing, and innovation, the Industries Minister invited companies from Fukuoka to collaborate in areas such as electric vehicle manufacturing, electronics, semiconductors, biotechnology, and technical textiles. He highlighted Haryana’s robust industrial infrastructure, skilled workforce, and policy-driven approach for ease of doing business.
Subsequently, the Minister also addressed an Investors’ Roadshow. He interacted with leading investors and representatives from the electronics, biotech, semiconductor, automotive, and textile sectors. He encouraged Japanese enterprises to visit Haryana and experience firsthand the state’s favourable and investor-friendly ecosystem.
The Industries Minister invited the Deputy Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture and corporate representatives to participate in the upcoming ‘Happening Haryana Global Investors’ Summit’, to be held in 2026 in Haryana. The summit will serve as a dynamic platform to further strengthen bilateral partnerships, technology exchange, and investment cooperation.
The delegation also included Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, and other senior officials.
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Direct transfer of Rs. 1,945.99 crore to farmers’ bank accounts in Haryana during Kharif procurement season
1573715.26 lakh metric tonnes of paddy procured so far from Haryana mandis
Paddy purchased from 1,13,083 registered farmers on ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal
Chandigarh, October 9– During the ongoing Kharif procurement season 2025–26, the Haryana Government has so far directly transferred Rs. 1,945.99 crore to the bank accounts of farmers, ensuring timely payment of the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Paddy procurement is being carried out from farmers registered on the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal. So far, paddy has been purchased from 113083 such registered farmers across the state.
Sharing information in this regard a spokesperson of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, said that a total of 1807936.07 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has arrived in the mandis across the state.
The spokesperson further informed that 976370.73 lakh metric tonnes of paddy have already been lifted from various district mandis, while procurement of 1573715.26 lakh metric tonnes has been completed so far. In Haryana, paddy procurement is being undertaken by the Department of Food and Civil Supplies, HAFED, and the Haryana State Warehousing Corporation.
The spokesperson said that under the procurement process, payment for the procured paddy is directly transferred to farmers’ bank accounts as per the MSP fixed by the Government of India. Farmers are repeatedly advised to bring well-dried paddy to the mandis, adhering to the prescribed moisture content limit of 17 percent set by the Government of India.
Adequate arrangements have been made by the state’s procurement agencies for smooth paddy purchase, and efforts have been intensified to ensure speedy lifting of the crop. The MSP for paddy fixed by the Government of India at Rs.2,389 per quintal remains unchanged.
In addition, cleaning of the paddy brought to mandis and procurement centers by farmers is being carried out by the Arhatiyas at their own level. The state government is also bearing the cost of mandi labour charges, including activities like filling, weighing, stitching, and loading.
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Synthetic Walking Track to Come Up at Subhash Park in Ambala Cantt: Anil Vij
Chandigarh, October 9: Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij today said that Subhash Park in Ambala Cantonment will become the first park in Haryana to feature a synthetic walking track, providing residents with a modern and comfortable walking experience. He also revealed that a toy train will soon be introduced in the park to add entertainment and convenience for children.
Speaking at the inauguration of the synthetic track project—being laid at a cost of Rs.74 lakh over a one-kilometer-long cemented path, Sh. Vij said, “This initiative will make morning walks and exercise more enjoyable for visitors.” Before addressing the gathering, Sh. Vij performed a traditional ceremony to mark the commencement of the EPDM flooring work and interacted with the construction team. He was welcomed with floral bouquets by Subhash Park Committee Chairman Sanjeev Walia and Executive Officer Devender Narwal.
Sh.Vij recalled the park’s transformation, saying, “Before 1996, this area was one of the dirtiest spots in Ambala Cantt—used as a dumping ground for the entire city. We fought a long struggle, reclaimed this land from encroachment, and turned it into one of the most beautiful parks in Haryana.” He further shared that the land had been misused in the past for illegal plot allocations. “We organized protests, demonstrations, and took the matter to the High Court. After a prolonged struggle, we succeeded in freeing the land from land mafias and gave it back to the people of Ambala Cantt,” he said.
Following the court victory, the then Chief Minister sanctioned Rs. 30 lakh for the initial development of the park, which included the construction of boundary walls and pathways. “With the cooperation of Ambala residents, benches and plants were installed, and the park began to take shape,” Vij added.
Highlighting the park’s beauty and amenities, Minister Vij said that “Today, Subhash Park has a lake, open-air theatre, skating rink, gym, children’s rides, and lush green surroundings. Thousands of people visit daily to enjoy its facilities. I can proudly say that Subhash Park is the most beautiful park in Haryana, and I am confident it will receive the government’s top award for its excellence.” He explained that the new rubber-based synthetic track will reduce strain on the knees and make walking more comfortable.
Sh. Vij also directed officials to begin the process of installing a toy train in the park. “Subhash Park has become a major attraction, even included in several tourist itineraries. Many schools bring their students here for recreation. The addition of a toy train will further enhance the park’s grandeur and provide children with an exciting new facility,” he said.
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*Haryana Takes Giant Leap in Ease of Doing Business, Departments Implement Compliance Reforms on Chief Secretary’s Directions*
Chandigarh, October 9 - Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi chaired a high-level meeting on compliance reduction and deregulation here today. In a move aimed at transforming Haryana into one of India’s most business-friendly states, it was informed in the meeting that all key departments have taken major reform decisions.
The Town and Country Planning Department has decided to introduce a ‘negative list’ for mixed land use, where all activities will be permitted except those specifically prohibited. The department will soon notify provisions allowing industrial housing within industrial plots to provide on-site accommodation for workers. The department has also decided to implement an auto Change of Land Use (CLU) approval system for industries in conforming zones, enabling instant online permission through a self-certification process by December 31, 2025. Parallel notifications for auto CLU in municipal areas will be issued by the Urban Local Bodies Department.
To promote small-scale industries, the department will reduce the minimum road width requirement for village link roads to 6 feet, facilitating MSME development in rural areas. Documentation for CLU will also be reduced from 19 to 5 essential documents, with further simplification to follow after studying best practices from other states.
*Building Regulation and Land Utilization Reforms*
In accordance with the Chief Secretary’s guidance, the Town and Country Planning Department will remove the maximum cap on ground coverage for both industrial and commercial plots. The department will issue new norms within two days, allowing developers to fully utilize zoned land while maintaining essential planning parameters. Revised setback norms will also be notified to minimize land wastage and reduce construction costs.
*Labour Department Decisions Empowering Workers and Industry*
The Labour Department will place critical reforms before the Cabinet. These include amendments to allow women to work in all industries, including those previously listed as hazardous, excluding pregnant and lactating mothers. The department will introduce night-shift employment for women in shops and establishments under the new Act, subject to safety conditions such as CCTV coverage, transport facilities, and separate restrooms. The compliance threshold under the Shops and Establishments Act will be raised from zero to 20 workers, reducing paperwork for small units. Factory license renewal will continue under the auto-renewal system, and registration under the Shops and Establishment Act will become instant upon online application.
*Pollution Control Simplification Measures*
The Haryana State Pollution Control Board will adopt third-party certification for Consent to Operate (CTO) for green category industries. The validity of CTOs will be extended up to 15 years, and renewal will be done through third-party inspections. The Board will also reduce approval timelines for Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate from 30 to 21 working days and implement self-certification for green category industries. A rationalized, investment-linked fee structure based on MSME classification will be introduced.
*Utilities and Digital Infrastructure Integration*
Departments providing utility services have decided to fully integrate their applications with the Invest Haryana Single Window System. Entrepreneurs will now be able to obtain electricity, water, and groundwater permissions through one digital platform. The Haryana Water Resources Authority has completed service integration, and service timelines will be notified under the Haryana Right to Service Act. HSIIDC has linked its land bank with the national portal for real-time updates and committed to expanding plug-and-play industrial facilities statewide.
*Fire Safety and Building Permit Reforms*
The Fire and Emergency Services Department will implement third-party certification for fire safety inspections and empanel qualified agencies by October 30, 2025. Validity of Fire NOCs will be extended to reduce compliance burden. The Town and Country Planning Department will reduce documents for Occupation Certificates to five essential items and extend third-party certification to high-risk buildings to ensure faster approvals without compromising safety.
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*Haryana Jan Vishwas Bill for Decriminalization of Minor Offences*
Following the Chief Secretary’s directions, all departments will submit their proposals for decriminalization of minor offences, as part of the upcoming Haryana Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025. The Bill will replace criminal penalties for procedural violations with civil penalties and administrative actions, aligning with the national decriminalization framework.
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Revenue and Disaster Management Minister chairs meeting on Modern Tehsil Project
Chandigarh, October 9 — Haryana Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sh. Vipul Goel today chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat to review the Modern Tehsil Project. Senior officers of the department and various stakeholders were present in the meeting. The objective of this project was to equip tehsil offices with digital and modern technologies to make public services more transparent, efficient, and accessible.
During the meeting, Sh. Vipul Goel said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the Haryana Government is prioritizing administrative reforms as part of the Viksit Haryana-2047 vision. As part of this initiative, tehsil offices will be equipped with cafeterias and other modern amenities to ensure that citizens can avail themselves of better facilities while completing their work.
Various stakeholders shared important suggestions during the meeting, which will be incorporated into the project. Tenders related to the project will be issued shortly. He informed that the project will be implemented in a phased manner, with some tehsils to be developed as Modern Tehsils in the initial phase as pilot projects. Subsequently, the initiative will be expanded across the entire state.
Sh. Goel stated that the Modern Tehsil Project will not only enhance administrative efficiency but will also help establish a corruption-free and citizen-centric tehsil system.
The meeting was attended by Revenue Secretary Sh. Ravi Prakash Gupta, Special Secretary, Revenue, Sh. Yash Pal, and other senior officers.
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Union Minister Manohar Lal offers prayers at Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar, Dubai
Prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the people of the country
Spread the teachings of the gurus to every home
Chandigarh, October 9 – During his foreign visit, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Energy, Sh. Manohar Lal, offered prayers at Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar, Jebel Ali, Dubai, seeking happiness and prosperity for all Indians.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that the teachings of the Gurus continue to serve as a guiding light for humanity. He emphasized the importance of spreading these timeless messages to every household so that future generations may continue to draw inspiration and direction from them. He urged everyone to embody the teachings of the Gurus in their daily lives. He also commended the growing Sikh and Punjabi community in Dubai and expressed gratitude for the warm and respectful welcome.
Upon his arrival at Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar, Sh Manohar Lal was honoured with a Siropa and a memento by Sardar Surinder Singh Kandhari, Chief Sevadar, and Sh. SP Singh Oberoi, Managing Sevakar. Sh. Satish Kaushik, Consulate General of India in Dubai, accompanied the Union Minister on this occasion.
During the visit, Dr. Prabhleen Singh shared detailed insights into the initiatives and schemes being undertaken for the welfare of the Sikh community in the state of Haryana.
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Confusion over nomenclature of common cadre Group-D posts resolved, Haryana Government issues fresh instructions
Chandigarh, October 9 — The Haryana Government has decided that combined posts such as Peon-cum-Chowkidar, Mali-cum-Chowkidar, and Mali-cum-Sweeper shall be considered equivalent to Peon and Mali, respectively. This decision will apply to postings made under the Common Cadre. A letter has been issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi in this regard.
This decision is in accordance with Section 23 of the Haryana Group-D Employees (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2018, which takes precedence over all other service rules.
It is noteworthy that several employees appointed under Advertisement No. 01/2023 were unable to assume charge in their allotted departments due to discrepancies in designations. Differences in nomenclature, such as Mali vs Mali-cum-Chowkidar and Peon vs Peon-cum-Chowkidar, had led to confusion.
Under the revised instructions issued by the Government, all affected Group-D employees will now be able to join duty in their respective departments. The date of relieving from the offices of Divisional Commissioners/Deputy Commissioners, Panchkula, and the date of submission of joining reports on the official portal shall be treated as the effective date of appointment.
The Government has directed all Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments to immediately communicate these instructions to all concerned officers and ensure their strict and prompt compliance. These directions have been categorized as urgent to ensure that the posting process of newly appointed employees is completed smoothly.