- CM chairs HPPC meeting; Approves purchase of jute and other bags
Chandigarh, March 26 – In a meeting of the High Powered Purchase Committee (HPPC) held here on Thursday under the chairmanship of Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, important decisions were taken to strengthen storage arrangements for the Rabi 2026–27 season. Two agendas regarding the purchase of jute and other storage bags worth Rs. 550 crore were discussed in the meeting. Through negotiation, savings of Rs. 80 crore were achieved, and approval was granted for the purchase of jute bags as well as other bags to ensure safe storage of wheat.
This decision will further enhance the state’s grain storage capacity and ensure smooth and secure storage of wheat procured from farmers.
The procurement process is being carried out keeping in view the requirements of the Food and Supplies Department, Hafed, and the Haryana State Warehousing Corporation (HSWC).
During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed officers to ensure that the procurement process remains transparent, time-bound, and in accordance with quality standards so that government resources are utilised optimally.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare, the Chief Minister said that ensuring safe storage of agricultural produce remains the top priority. He directed officers to complete preparations for the Rabi season promptly so that there are no difficulties in managing the arrival of crops in the mandis.
Urban Local Bodies Minister, Sh. Vipul Goel, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sh. Arun Gupta and other officers were present during the meeting.
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Real wealth lies in taking 'Naam' and earning Guru’s blessings: CM Nayab Singh Saini
CM Addresses the closing ceremony of religious congregation at Gurdwara Sri Nanaksar Sahib
True peace found only in Guru’s presence: CM
Chandigarh, March 26 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that true wealth lies at the feet of the Guru and in earning the ‘Naam’. In today’s fast-paced life, peace can only be found in the presence of the Guru.
The Chief Minister was addressing the closing ceremony of a religious congregation held at Gurdwara Sri Nanaksar Sahib in Ludhiana, Punjab, on Thursday.
On this occasion, Baba Ghala Singh Ji, several saints and spiritual leaders, and devotees from across the country and abroad were present.
Extending his greetings and best wishes to the congregation on the occasions of Durga Ashtami and Ram Navami, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Sri Nanaksar Sahib is a sacred place whose foundation was laid by Baba Nand Singh Ji Maharaj through his intense penance. He lit the flame of devotion that continues to illuminate millions of hearts even today. Following in his footsteps, Baba Isher Singh Ji Maharaj meditated in solitude here for seven years. He said it is the spiritual merit of these great souls that one experiences immense peace upon stepping into this holy place.
The Chief Minister also congratulated everyone on the Prakash Utsav of Baba Isher Singh Ji and prayed for all to walk together on the path of love, service, and remembrance, eliminating hatred. He also paid his respects at the feet of Baba Narayan Singh Ji and said his life teaches the true meaning of ‘service’ and obedience. On a single command of Baba Isher Singh Ji, he carried water from a distance of 24 kilometres for seven years—without fatigue or pause—solely to please his Guru.
He told the congregation that this vast complex had no written blueprint. It was built through the divine guidance of Baba Narayan Singh Ji and the devotion of the artisans. This proves that when intentions are pure and faith in the Guru is complete, nature itself paves the way. The dedication shown in constructing Sri Nanaksar Sahib stands recorded in golden letters in history.
Praising the unique food arrangement at this holy place, Sh. Saini said there is no institutional langar here; instead, devotees prepare food in their homes and bring it for everyone. This is a true symbol of shared community spirit, where the distinction between rich and poor disappears and only the ‘sangat’ remains. He also appreciated the devoted and humble service rendered by Baba Ghala Singh Ji.
He said that the Gurus, saints, and great spiritual leaders have shown the true path of life to humanity. To spread their message among the masses, the Haryana Government is running the ‘Sant-Mahapurush Vichar Samman Prachar Evam Prasar Yojana’. Under this scheme, the birth anniversaries of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and other saints are celebrated at the state level. In November 2025, several programmes were organized across the state to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini further informed that on November 25, a state-level event was held at Jyotisar, Kurukshetra, in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi attended the event and released a commemorative coin, a postage stamp, and a coffee table book dedicated to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
He added that a forest will be developed in the name of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Kalesar, Yamunanagar, and a memorial gate has also been constructed in his honor.
Sharing an important decision of the Haryana Government, he said that during the 1984 riots, many Sikh families lost their loved ones. The state government has made provisions to provide a job to one member from each of the 121 affected families.
He also mentioned that on December 24, during the Veer Bal Diwas program held in Panchkula, Union Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah personally handed over appointment letters to members of riot-affected families.
Providing further details about initiatives undertaken in memory of the Gurus, he said that a research chair on Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji has been established at Chaudhary Devi Lal University in Sirsa.
He added that on November 11, the Government Polytechnic College in Ambala was renamed after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji; the Tohana-Jind-Dhamtan Sahib road has been named Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Marg; the upcoming medical college in Yamunanagar has been named after ‘Hind Di Chadar’ Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh Ji; a college has been named after Baba Fateh Singh Ji, the younger Sahibzada of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji; and a VLDA college has been established at Lakhnaur Sahib in the name of Mata Gujri Kaur.
Additionally, on October 27, the foundation stone of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial was laid at Lohgarh in Yamunanagar. To provide financial assistance to pilgrims travelling to Sri Hazur Sahib, Sri Nankana Sahib, Sri Hemkund Sahib, and Sri Patna Sahib, the ‘Swarn Jayanti Guru Darshan Yatra Yojana’ has been launched.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Haryana Government is continuously working to spread the teachings and principles of the Gurus among the masses.
On this occasion, Sardar Baba Joga Singh, BJP District President Dr. Rajender Sharma, Baba Harvinder Singh Nanaksar, Baba Arjun Singh (Patiala), Baba Mehr Singh Nanaksar, Baba Gurcharan Singh (Delhi), and several other dignitaries were present.
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Haryana to Set Up Second HIV Viral Load Testing Lab at Panchkula's Civil Hospital
Fully funded by NACO at Rs. 1.65 crore annually, the facility will serve an estimated 15,000 tests a year
Chandigarh, March 26 - The Haryana Health Department has approved the establishment of an HIV viral load testing laboratory at Civil Hospital, Panchkula. With this, Haryana will have its second dedicated facility, the first being located in Rohtak.
The was informed by Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Sumita Misra, who said the laboratory has been approved at an annual cost of Rs. 1.65 crore, based on an estimated workload of approximately 15,000 HIV viral load tests per year.
In a cost-efficient move, the new laboratory will be set up by utilising the existing Covid-19 molecular testing infrastructure already in place at Civil Hospital, Panchkula, along with the procurement of additional equipment specific to HIV viral load testing. This approach ensures that the facility can be made operational quickly, without the need for constructing an entirely new setup.
The project was developed on the basis of inputs provided by the Haryana State AIDS Control Society (HSACS), while the technical evaluation was independently conducted by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) — the apex body governing HIV/AIDS response in the country. The cost per HIV viral load test has been set at Rs. 1,100, in line with national guidelines.
*Entire Cost to Be Borne by NACO — No Burden on State Exchequer*
Notably, the entire expenditure for setting up and operating the testing facility will be funded by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), with no financial liability falling on the Haryana state government. This makes the initiative both fiscally prudent and replicable — a model that other states could adopt to expand HIV diagnostic capacity without straining their own budgets, Dr. Misra added.
For HIV-positive individuals, regular viral load testing is not optional — it is essential. These tests help doctors determine whether antiretroviral therapy (ART) is working effectively, detect treatment failure early, and prevent the virus from developing drug resistance. Without timely access to viral load testing, patients face delayed interventions and poorer health outcomes. Currently, samples from all districts of Haryana are sent to PGIMS Rohtak. This new laboratory will significantly decrease time for testing and will result in better monitoring of HIV positive patients.
Dr. Misra said the establishment of the lab will significantly enhance access to timely HIV diagnostic services and monitoring, benefiting patients who require regular viral load testing and strengthening the overall response to HIV/AIDS in Haryana.
The Panchkula HIV viral load lab is part of a wider effort by the Haryana government to decentralise specialised healthcare services and bring them closer to underserved populations. By repurposing existing infrastructure, partnering with national bodies, and ensuring zero cost to the state, this initiative reflects a model of efficient, patient-centred governance.
With an estimated 15,000 tests to be conducted annually, the laboratory is expected to become a critical node in Haryana's HIV care and treatment network, reducing diagnostic delays, supporting better treatment monitoring, and ultimately saving lives.