Somnath Swabhiman Parv Should Be Celebrated in a Grand Manner: CPS to CM Rajesh Khullar
Somnath Swabhiman Parv to be celebrated across the country on May 11
Directions issued to all Deputy Commissioners through video conferencing
Chandigarh, May 8 – Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar, on Friday, held a video conference with all Deputy Commissioners of the state from Haryana Bhawan, New Delhi. During the meeting, he directed all district administrations to ensure grand celebrations of Somnath Swabhiman Parv on May 11 and complete all preparations at the district level well in time.
He said that the Somnath Temple symbolizes India’s indomitable civilization. Despite repeated destructive attacks, the Somnath Temple continues to stand as a symbol of self-respect and courage. Seventy-five years ago, the reconstruction of the modern Somnath Temple began, and on May 11, 2026, Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi will visit the Somnath Temple on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of its inauguration. On this occasion, Somnath Swabhiman Parv will be celebrated across the country in a grand manner.
Various programmes including Kalash Yatras, spiritual events and activities showcasing India’s rich cultural and heritage traditions will be organised. Sh. Rajesh Khullar directed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the programme is organised in a grand and well-coordinated manner.
Prime Minister’s Address from Somnath to be Telecast Live
Sh. Rajesh Khullar said that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s live address from the Somnath Temple on May 11 will be telecast during district-level programmes across the state. Kalash Yatras will also be organised at the district level, culminating in Jalabhishek at Shiva temples.
He further directed that public representatives should also be invited to the programme, adding that this is an important opportunity to become part of India’s glorious historical legacy. He called upon people to participate in large numbers and make the event a grand success through active public participation.
==================================================
Chief Secretary Reviews Preparations for UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026
Issues: Necessary directions to Gurugram and Faridabad administrations for smooth conduct of examination
Chandigarh, May 8 – Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi today chaired a meeting to review arrangements for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026 to be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on May 24, 2026.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners of Gurugram and Faridabad districts and other senior officers through video conferencing. During the meeting, the Chief Secretary reviewed the preparedness related to examination centres, law and order, traffic management, security arrangements and other logistical requirements for the smooth and fair conduct of the examination.
The meeting was informed that 37 examination centres have been designated in Faridabad, while 52 centres have been set up in Gurugram for the conduct of the examination.
Sh. Rastogi directed the district administrations and police authorities to ensure foolproof arrangements at all examination centres and maintain close coordination among all concerned departments. He emphasized that adequate security, uninterrupted power supply, proper transportation facilities and effective crowd management measures should be ensured well in advance.
The Chief Secretary also instructed officers to make necessary arrangements for the convenience of candidates and ensure strict adherence to guidelines issued by the Union Public Service Commission. He stressed that all officials deployed on examination duty must remain vigilant and discharge their responsibilities with utmost sincerity and professionalism.
===============================================
Deadline Extended for Filing APRs of HCS Officers
Officers can now submit APRs till June 30
Health check-up mandatory for officers above 40 years of age
Chandigarh, May 8 – The Haryana Government has extended the deadline for filing the Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APRs) for Haryana Civil Service (Executive Branch) officers for the year 2025–26 by one month.
According to a letter issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, HCS officers will now be required to submit their self-appraisal reports by June 30, 2026, instead of the earlier deadline of May 31. The Reporting Authority will complete the evaluation by August 31, while the Reviewing Authority will carry out the review by October 31. The Accepting Authority will finalize the reports by December 31, 2026.
It may be noted that the Haryana Government has directed all departments to ensure that the Annual Performance Appraisal Reports of HCS (Executive Branch) officers for the year 2025–26 are submitted online through the State Intranet Portal. The APRs will be filed online on the portal http://intrahry.gov.in and must be finalized by December 31, 2026.
All Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and heads of Boards and Corporations have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with these directions.
Officers will be able to log in to the HRMS portal using their payee code and registered mobile number. A One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to the registered mobile number for verification. In addition, authentication can also be done through a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or by uploading scanned signatures.
A health check-up has been made mandatory for HCS officers above 40 years of age, and a summary of the medical report will have to be uploaded along with the self-appraisal.
Performance assessment will be carried out through a numerical grading system on a scale of 1 to 10. The evaluation will include work performance, personal attributes, and functional competencies.
The online system also provides for automatic forwarding of the report to the next level if the concerned authority fails to take action within the stipulated timeline, ensuring timely completion of the appraisal process.
================================================
Haryana moving rapidly towards goal of ‘TB Mukt Haryana’: Arti Singh Rao
10,978 new TB patients identified during 30-day screening drive
Chandigarh, May 8 – Haryana Health Minister Ms. Arti Singh Rao said that the state is moving rapidly towards achieving the goal of ‘TB Mukt Haryana’. She said that large-scale awareness campaigns, modern technology and community participation have given new momentum to the fight against TB.
She said that the State Government has released the 30-day interim progress report of the 100-day TB eradication campaign (Phase-2), which was launched on March 24, 2026, on the occasion of World TB Day. Under this campaign, 10,978 new TB patients have been identified so far. She said this achievement has been made possible due to Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technologies and the Active Case Finding strategy.
The Health Minister said that the state’s strategy is no longer limited to waiting for patients to come forward. Instead, screening is being carried out in high-risk areas, including among people without symptoms, so that hidden cases can be identified in time.
Ms. Arti Singh Rao said that technology is being effectively used in Haryana. AI-enabled handheld X-ray machines are providing instant screening facilities in remote areas. The ‘Cough Against TB’ (CATB) app is helping identify possible TB patients by analysing cough sounds.
Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Dr. R.S. Dhillon, said that public participation has played a major role in the success of the campaign. He said that 65 mobile medical units are being used as “diagnostic labs”, making screening possible even in remote areas. Active participation of public representatives and Panchayati Raj institutions has also helped remove social stigma related to TB.
He said that TB screening has been linked with routine health check-ups under the campaign, including blood pressure, sugar and anaemia tests, to ensure overall healthcare services.
He further informed that through geospatial technology, 2,111 vulnerable villages and wards have been identified where special drives are being conducted. Sharing details of activities carried out from March 24 to May 5, 2026, he said that a total of 1,620 camps were organised during this period, out of which 938 camps were held in high-risk areas. Similarly, 1,81,221 people were screened, 49,953 NAAT tests were conducted, and 10,978 new TB patients were identified.
He added that 335 new Ni-kshay Mitras were registered and 8,502 nutrition kits were distributed during the campaign period.
He said that the Haryana Government is committed to the complete eradication of TB and is ensuring treatment and support for every patient.
=================================================
Farmers Adopting Wide-Row Sugarcane Plantation to Get Rs 5,000 Incentive: Shyam Singh Rana
Cooperative mills to provide sugarcane harvester machines to farmers
Chandigarh, May 8 – Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said under the “Sugarcane Technology Mission”, farmers who adopt sugarcane plantation in wide rows with a spacing of four feet will now be provided an incentive of Rs 5,000 per acre by the government. Earlier, this incentive amount was Rs 3,000 per acre.
Sh. Rana shared this information after chairing a departmental review meeting here today.
During the meeting, he reviewed various agricultural activities and schemes and issued necessary directions to the officers concerned. He said that the farmer of Haryana is not only an annadata (food provider) but also a strong pillar of the state’s economic and social stability. Therefore, strengthening farmers remains one of the top priorities of the present government.
The Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister said that earlier farmers cultivating sugarcane in wide rows with four-foot spacing were provided an incentive of Rs 3,000 per acre. However, the Chief Minister had announced an increase in this amount to Rs 5,000 per acre in the current budget, and the government has now approved the proposal to implement this announcement.
He informed that sugarcane growers will be able to apply for the incentive amount through the portal from October 15, 2026 to December 31, 2026. After physical verification, the incentive amount will be released to the concerned farmers by the end of February 2027.
He further stated that the incentive amount for sugarcane sowing through the single-bud method has also been increased to Rs 5,000 per acre from the earlier Rs 3,000 per acre.
Sh. Shyam Singh Rana also informed that every cooperative sugar mill in the state will provide sugarcane harvester machines to farmers in its respective area so that the cost of harvesting can be reduced.
He further said that sugarcane productivity will be enhanced through tissue culture technology. Sugarcane saplings prepared through this method will be provided free of cost to farmers. These saplings will be prepared by the Karnal Cooperative Sugar Mill, and farmers will be able to procure them from October 2026 to December 2026.
Sh. Rana said that all these initiatives will prove to be significant steps towards modernising agriculture in the state, increasing farmers’ income and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Sh. Vijayendra Kumar, Director Sh. Raj Narayan Kaushik and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.
====================================
Haryana Intensifies War to Improve Gender Ratio, ACS Dr. Sumita Misra Cracks Down on Illegal Networks
Chandigarh, May 8 - Haryana has launched an intensified statewide campaign to improve the gender ratio, with Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Sumita Misra directing officers to take strict and coordinated action against those indulging in illegal sex determination and related unlawful practices.
Chairing the State Task Force meeting under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme, Dr. Misra issued firm directions to officers from the Health, Women and Child Development, Police, Food & Drugs Administration and Ayush departments to strengthen enforcement, increase field inspections and tighten surveillance mechanisms to curb illegal practices related to sex selection.
Dr. Misra directed officers to accelerate reverse tracking of abortion cases, conduct regular inspections of medical stores involved in the illegal sale of MTP kits and identify unauthorised hospitals carrying out unlawful procedures. She also instructed district administrations and police authorities to intensify sting operations to dismantle organised networks involved in illegal sex determination.
Officers informed during the meeting that Haryana currently has 1,206 registered MTP centres, of which 201 have been shut down for violations, while the remaining 1,005 centres are functioning under strict monitoring. During 2025 and 2026, authorities conducted 1,240 inspections and issued 58 notices to erring centres during FY 2025-26. The data presented in the meeting also showed a decline in abortion cases, with MTPs below 12 weeks reducing from 47,730 in FY 2024-25 to 43,443 in FY 2025-26. Similarly, cases involving pregnancies beyond 12 weeks declined from 4,291 to 3,841 during the same period.
In another major enforcement initiative, reverse tracking of 606 abortion/MTP cases was conducted between January and March 2026 across all districts of Haryana. The strategy has helped authorities identify illegal activities and monitor high-risk cases more effectively. Since October 2024, the reverse tracking mechanism has resulted in 78 FIRs against illegal operators, quacks, chemists and others involved in unlawful practices.
The meeting highlighted Haryana’s remarkable improvement in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), which has increased from 838 girls per 1,000 boys in 2010 to 923 in 2025 — the highest ever recorded in the state. It was apprised in the meeting that due to coordinated action more than 60,000 girl children have been saved under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign since its launch in 2015.
Several districts, including Panchkula, Fatehabad, Panipat and Karnal, have shown significant progress in improving the sex ratio in 2025, reflecting the impact of sustained enforcement drives and public awareness campaigns. However, Dr. Misra cautioned officers against complacency and stressed that focused efforts were still required in districts where the sex ratio remains below the state average.
Taking serious note of the illegal sale of abortion kits, Dr. Misra directed authorities to inspect medical stores across the state and take strict legal action against violators. It was apprised during the meeting that in 2025 alone, 44 chemist shops were sealed, 59 FIRs were registered and more than 6,000 MTP kits were seized during enforcement drives.
To ensure the availability of medicines through authorised channels and prevent black marketing, the state has also initiated direct supply of tablet Mifepristone through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to registered private MTP centres after shortages were reported in district drug warehouses.
Dr. Misra also directed officers to strengthen monitoring of high-risk pregnancies through the SAHELI network involving ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs). She said accountability of field staff would be fixed in cases of negligence, while those performing exceptionally would be recognised and encouraged.
The state government has decided to conduct intensive awareness campaigns in villages and districts with low sex ratios. Religious leaders, community organisations and local institutions will also be involved to spread awareness against sex determination and encourage respect and equal opportunities for the girl child.
She also suggested that the pandit, maulvi, and granthi of the gurudwara conducting the wedding should administer vows to the couple, encouraging them to stand against female foeticide and sex determination tests. Dr. Misra also directed WCD department to accelerate the pace of outreach campaign at village level and also update the HQ with the prevailing ground issues.
Officers informed that Haryana has registered more than 1,300 FIRs under the PC and PNDT and MTP Acts since 2014. During this period, the state has conducted over 400 inter-state raids, made thousands of arrests and cancelled registrations of nearly 300 centres found violating the law.
Dr. Sumita Misra said Haryana has made remarkable progress in protecting daughters over the past decade, but sustained vigilance and public participation remain essential to completely eliminate female foeticide from society.
==================================================
Benefits of Welfare Schemes being delivered at doorsteps through the ‘Pro-Active Model’- Chief Minister
Chief Minister releases Rs 2,115 crore to 58 lakh beneficiaries
Funds transferred directly into bank accounts of the beneficiaries
Building plan approvals to now be available from home; J-Forms to reach farmers via WhatsApp
Chandigarh, May 8- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Friday launched the digital platform of the Haryana Online Building Plan Approval System in the state and also initiated the process of sending J-Forms to farmers through WhatsApp.
During a press conference held at Haryana Niwas, the Chief Minister, apart from announcing these two major initiatives for the general public and farmers, also released an amount of Rs 2,115 crore and 41 lakh directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries under various welfare schemes. A total of 58 lakh 87 thousand 479 eligible beneficiaries have received benefits under these schemes.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the beneficiaries to whom amounts have been digitally disbursed through DBT include the seventh installment of the ‘Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi’ yojana, subsidy amount under the ‘Har Ghar-Har Grihini’ yojana, compensation for Kharif crop-2025, amount under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, and social security pension benefits.
The Chief Minister said that under the seventh installment of the ‘Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi’ yojana, an amount of Rs 205 crore has been transferred into the accounts of 9 lakh 76 thousand beneficiary women. With this, a total amount of Rs 1,415 crore has been released in seven instalments so far.
He said that an amount of Rs 1,146 crore and 73 lakh has been transferred directly into the accounts of 35 lakh 62 thousand beneficiaries under 18 different social security pension schemes. These include Old Age Samman Allowance, Divyangjan pension, and other social security pensions.
The Chief Minister said that the double-engine government has adopted a ‘Pro-Active Model’ by bringing systemic transformation. Under this model, eligibility is determined automatically on the basis of the Parivar Pehchan Patra database, and eligible citizens are receiving pension benefits at home without visiting offices or submitting applications.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini also released Rs 100 crore and 45 lakh Post-Matric Scholarship to 64 thousand 923 Scheduled Caste students. This scholarship is provided to students from Class 11 to postgraduate level belonging to Scheduled Caste families having an annual income of up to Rs 2 lakh 50 thousand. The scholarship has been released to eligible students registered through the National Scholarship Portal. Earlier, the process of scholarship distribution was handled at different departmental levels, due to which delays and technical discrepancies occurred in payments. Therefore, the state government has onboarded OBC, EBC, and DNT schemes onto the National Scholarship Portal, making the payment process simpler.
The Chief Minister said that under the Dayalu Yojana, financial assistance amounting to Rs 215 crore and 29 lakh has been provided to 5 thousand 677 families. Along with this, subsidies amounting to Rs 38 crore and 54 lakh for the months of February and March have also been transferred today into the bank accounts of 11 lakh 23 thousand women who got their gas cylinders refilled. Under this scheme, eligible women are being provided gas cylinders every month for Rs 500.
Compensation and Bhavantar Bharpai Amount Released
The Chief Minister also released compensation amounting to Rs 370 crore and 52 lakh for 1 lakh 50 thousand 583 farmers whose Kharif crop-2025 was damaged due to rain and waterlogging.
Under this, Rs 66 crore and 88 lakh has been released for 29 thousand 539 farmers of Bhiwani district, while Rs 64 crore and 40 lakh has been released for 25 thousand 812 farmers of Hisar district.
He said that earlier also, compensation amounting to Rs 6,272 crore had already been released to farmers. During the last eleven-and-a-half years, insurance claims worth Rs 9,888 crore have also been provided to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for crop damage. Including today’s amount, a total of Rs 16,530 crore has been provided to farmers in the state during the last eleven-and-a-half years under crop compensation and the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana., informed Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
The Chief Minister said that before the BJP government, during the 10-year tenure of the Congress government, only Rs 1,138 crore was released as compensation. Not only this, the Congress government had also left pending compensation dues of Rs 269 crore for farmers. The double-engine government worked to release that amount as well, he said.
He further said that under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, an amount of Rs 38 crore and 88 lakh has been released to 5 thousand 296 farmers for potatoes and cauliflower. This amount has been released to vegetable-producing farmers of five districts namely Ambala, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, and Panchkula. Including the amount released today, a total of Rs 196 crore and 3 lakh has so far been released as Bhavantar compensation to 39 thousand 557 farmers.
Online Building Plan Approval System Launched
The Chief minister also launched the digital platform of the Haryana Online Building Plan Approval System. Through this platform, common citizens will now be able to obtain approvals related to plots and construction from their homes easily and without delays. In the first phase, online approvals for planned residential plots in old municipalities or core areas are being started. This system will save time, curb corruption, and ensure accountability in work.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that people will no longer have to make rounds of government offices and the entire process will become faster, transparent, and simpler. Before implementation of the new system, architects and urban local body officials will be given special training so that the general public does not face any inconvenience.
J-Forms Sent to Farmers
The Chief Minister said that J-Forms have been sent to farmers through WhatsApp today and will continue to be delivered in the same manner in the future. The government had announced on April 25 that J-Forms related to wheat, mustard, and gram crops sold at MSP during the ongoing Rabi procurement season would be sent to farmers through WhatsApp.
He informed that till May 6, around 5 lakh 78 thousand farmers had sold their produce in mandis. A total of 13 lakh 77 thousand J-Forms have been issued to these farmers. This facility has been introduced for the first time in the state. Farmers will now not have to visit commission agents to collect their J-Forms.
Extensive Arrangements for Wheat Procurement in Haryana
The Chief Minister said that the government has made extensive arrangements in mandis for wheat procurement. From April 1 to May 7, the arrival of 84 lakh 18 thousand metric tonnes of wheat has been recorded in mandis across the state. Out of this, biometric verification of farmers for sale of 83 lakh 75 thousand metric tonnes of wheat has been completed. He said that procurement of 82 lakh 55 thousand metric tonnes of wheat has been completed so far.
Additional Chief Secretary, Financial Commissioner, Revenue & Disaster Management and Consolidation Department, Dr Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of Scheduled Castes & Backward Classes and Antyodaya (SEWA) Department, Smt G. Anupama, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh Arun Kumar Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Local Bodies Department, Sh. Ashok Kumar Meena, Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Sh K.Makrand Pandurang, Chief Administrator, Haryana Shaheri Vikas Pradhikaran, Panchkula, Sh. Chander Shekhar Khare, Director General, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Sh Anshaj Singh, Additional Director (Administration), Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Smt Varsha Khangwal and Media Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh Praveen Attrey were also present.
==================================
Comprehensive Arrangements In Place for Voter Convenience During Elections
Voter Slips Distributed to All Voters for the First Time in Local Body Elections
Chandigarh, May 8 - Haryana State Election Commission Secretary Gaurav Kumar informed that with the objective of ensuring voter convenience and maximum voter participation in the upcoming Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, and Municipal Committee elections, voter slips have been distributed to all voters. This arrangement has been implemented for the first time in local body elections in Haryana.
He stated that all Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to appoint micro observers at identified polling stations to ensure proper voter verification and identification. During voting, voters must carry their Voter ID card or any other valid identity proof prescribed by the Haryana State Election Commission.
Secretary Gaurav Kumar further informed that all Deputy Commissioners have been directed to ensure special arrangements for the convenience of Divyangs, senior citizens, and women voters. In addition, instructions have been issued to provide essential facilities such as help booths and drinking water at all polling stations.
===========================================
Nipun Vatika has made learning interesting and easy: Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda
Students are learning with interest through play-based activities in Nipun Vatika
Education Minister inaugurates Nipun Vatika at Government Primary School in Kharawar village of Rohtak
Chandigarh, May 8 – Haryana Education Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said that students studying in government schools are talented and intelligent. He said teachers are working hard to guide these children in the right direction. The district administration and Education Department have made learning easy and interesting through ‘Nipun Vatika’, where students are learning with interest through play-based activities.
The Minister was interacting with students after inaugurating the ‘Nipun Vatika’ set up at the Government Primary School in Kharawar village of Rohtak district.
Praising the Nipun Vatika and Super-40 initiatives started in the district, he appreciated the Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Sachin Gupta, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Narendra Kumar and the Education Department officers for their efforts towards securing a bright future for children.
The Education Minister inspected the Nipun Vatika and closely reviewed the arrangements made to make learning simple and interesting. He also interacted with students and asked about their studies, activities and interests. In the Nipun Vatika, students are being taught digitally through activities such as group formation, multiplication tables, triangles, squares, rectangles, ascending and descending order, measuring height, drawing shapes, identifying odd and even numbers, understanding the map of India, vowels, consonants and basic alphabet knowledge, etc. Children are learning these activities with great interest.
He said the state government is continuously working to provide quality education to students. Through the Nipun Bharat Mission, efforts are being made to strengthen the basic education of children so that reading, writing and understanding skills can be developed from the early stage itself.
He also appealed to teachers to provide creative and practical education to children so that students can learn moral values along with education.
Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Sachin Gupta, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Narendra Kumar, District Education Officer, Manjeet Malik, District Elementary Education Officer, Diljeet Singh and other officers were present on the occasion.
Nipun Vatika and Super-40 are strong foundations for children’s bright future
While interacting with media persons, Education Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi dreams of identifying and nurturing the talent of children from an early age by providing them with the right direction and environment. He said innovative initiatives like Nipun Vatika and Super-40 are playing an important role in the overall development of children in the state.
He added that the main aim of the programme is to teach small children reading and writing through fun activities and help remove their hesitation and fear while learning.
===================================
Punjab’s Situation Worse than West Bengal Today- Nayab Singh Saini
The Maan Government has completely failed to control the drug menace and illegal mining, and is now surviving on optics and false claims, says CM
Disillusioned With AAP, Punjab sees Hope in Modi’s Leadership, says CM
Chandigarh, May 8 — Launching a scathing attack on the AAP government in Punjab, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the situation in the state had deteriorated “worse than West Bengal” as the Bhagwant Mann-led government had completely failed to control the drug menace, illegal mining and the collapsing law-and-order situation. He said that people in Punjab are now disillusioned with the Aam Aadmi Party and the state is increasingly looking towards Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi and BJP’s governance model with “hope and trust” for political change and stability.
The Chief Minister was addressing a press conference at Haryana Niwas on Friday. He said that during the tenure of Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal, atrocities against common people had become rampant, people were murdered in broad daylight and FIRs were not even registered by the police. He said that Punjab is now witnessing similar conditions.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini further said that the menace of drugs and the law-and-order situation in Punjab are completely beyond the control of the government. Referring to the recent bomb blasts in Punjab, he said that while the Punjab Chief Minister claimed to have no knowledge of the matter, the state DGP had indicated possible links with the ISI. He further said that the Punjab Government was merely pretending to control drug trafficking and illegal mining.
The Chief Minister said that earlier the people of Punjab had become frustrated with the corruption of the Congress, but the present Punjab Government had gone “four steps ahead” of Congress in matters of corruption. He said that people in Punjab are suffering due to poor healthcare facilities and harassment in daily life. He claimed that the people of Punjab now want change and, inspired by the policies of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, have made up their minds to form a BJP government in the coming Assembly elections.
He added that once the BJP forms government in Punjab, the same welfare schemes being implemented in Haryana would also be introduced there. Responding to objections raised by the opposition regarding his frequent visits to Punjab, the Chief Minister said that people of Punjab invite him warmly to their programmes and questioned why the opposition is uncomfortable with it.
The Chief Minister further said that during its 55 years in power, Congress weakened the nation, troubled the common man and strengthened itself through corruption. He said that the Congress lacks ‘Niti and Niyat’ to work for the people and, whenever congress is rejected by the electorate, they immediately start making ‘Vote Chori’ allegations. He said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi does not hesitate in calling the government a government of infiltrators, despite the fact that illegal infiltrators entered the country during Congress regimes.
The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister, Sh. Amit Shah for taking decisive action against infiltrators and establishing India as a strong nation globally. He also said that Rahul Gandhi always disrespects the Constitution publicly which is very unfortunate.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that leaders of the INDIA alliance, including Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, sit together at night to strategize and spend the day abusing Prime Minister Modi.
Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that despite promises made long ago by the Aam Aadmi Party, women in Punjab are yet to receive financial assistance. He said that after Haryana allocated Rs. 6,500 crore for women-centric schemes in the current Budget, the Punjab Government hurriedly announced similar benefits in the Assembly merely for political optics, while not a single woman has received any benefit so far. He said that the Punjab Government was indulging in politics keeping elections in mind.
In contrast, he said, Haryana is providing Rs 2,100 per month to women under the Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana, and the seventh instalment under the scheme was transferred into beneficiaries’ accounts. He further said that the Haryana Government has not only increased the budget allocation for the scheme from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 6,500 crore, but has also expanded eligibility by raising the annual family income limit from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh so that more women can benefit from the scheme.
The Chief Minister said that the opposition of misleading women by spreading misinformation that beneficiaries of the Lado Lakshmi Yojana would be deprived of benefits under other schemes. He clarified that no such action would be taken and women receiving benefits under the scheme would continue to avail benefits of other schemes as before. He added that awareness campaigns would be conducted to ensure that all eligible women are included under the scheme.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana procures all crops from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and payments are made online within 48 hours. In contrast, he said that farmers in Punjab are being forced to throw potatoes on roads and sell bajra at prices ranging between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 per quintal. He said that Haryana not only procures all crops including potato, cauliflower and bajra at MSP, but also ensures remunerative prices for fruits and vegetables under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana.
He said that Haryana is delivering all government schemes digitally with transparency, simplicity and accountability. In this direction, farmers in Haryana will now receive their J-Forms directly on their mobile applications after selling crops, eliminating the need to visit commission agents. Similarly, the state has launched the Haryana Online Building Plan Approval System, making the process of building plan approvals online, paperless and faceless from today onwards.
The Chief Minister said that the opposition criticises the state’s portal-based governance system and promises to dismantle it if voted to power. This indicates that the opposition supports corruption, whereas the portal system is enabling citizens to access government services from home with transparency and ease, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
He further said that farmers in Punjab feel cheated as they have not received adequate support, while Haryana has provided compensation worth Rs. 486 crore to more than 3.70 lakh farmers for crop losses during the Kharif-2025 season. He added that during the present government’s eleven-and-a-half-year tenure, compensation amounting to Rs 16,530 crore has been provided to farmers, whereas the previous Congress government had disbursed only Rs 1,138 crore in ten years.
Responding to a question regarding Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab joining the BJP, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that those MPs had spoken in favour of women’s dignity and supported the Women’s Reservation Bill introduced by the Central Government in Parliament. However, he said that Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann did not want the legislation promoting women’s dignity to be passed. He said that the MPs who left the AAP had followed the voice of their conscience and freed themselves from Kejriwal’s leadership. He further said that several senior leaders had earlier left the party to save themselves, and that even AAP MLAs in Punjab now feel suffocated within the party and are looking for an exit route.
================================================
Advance preparations started to provide certified wheat seeds to farmers on time for the Rabi season- Agriculture Minister
Approval granted for purchase of bags worth around Rs. 4 crore for seed packing
Chandigarh, May 8— Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that the state government has started advance preparations to ensure timely availability of certified wheat seeds to farmers for the upcoming Rabi season.
The Cabinet Minister after chairing the meeting of the High Powered Purchase Committee here today, informed that approval has been granted for the purchase of bags worth around Rs. 4 crore for seed packing. He said this decision is an important step towards strengthening the seed distribution system.
The Agriculture Minister said that important proposals related to the purchase of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) bags and jute bags for the Haryana Seed Development Corporation were approved. He stated that the primary objective of advance procurement of these bags before the season is to complete seed processing work on time and avoid any delay.
He further said that after completion of the processing and packing work, high-quality certified seeds will be made available to farmers across the state at subsidized rates well before the sowing season. This will help farmers achieve better crop yields and increase agricultural productivity.
The Minister said that the decisions taken in the meeting will ensure timely seed processing and packing work at the Haryana Seed Development Corporation units located in Hisar, Sirsa, Tohana, Yamunanagar, Pataudi, and Umri. Smooth functioning of these units will further strengthen the state’s seed supply system.
He reiterated that the state government is continuously working to protect the interests of farmers and provide them with quality agricultural resources so that farming can become more profitable.
==============================================
Comprehensive Arrangements In Place for Voter Convenience During Elections
Voter Slips Distributed to All Voters for the First Time in Local Body Elections
Chandigarh, May 8 - Haryana State Election Commission Secretary Gaurav Kumar informed that with the objective of ensuring voter convenience and maximum voter participation in the upcoming Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, and Municipal Committee elections, voter slips have been distributed to all voters. This arrangement has been implemented for the first time in local body elections in Haryana.
He stated that all Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to appoint micro observers at identified polling stations to ensure proper voter verification and identification. During voting, voters must carry their Voter ID card or any other valid identity proof prescribed by the Haryana State Election Commission.
Secretary Gaurav Kumar further informed that all Deputy Commissioners have been directed to ensure special arrangements for the convenience of Divyangs, senior citizens, and women voters. In addition, instructions have been issued to provide essential facilities such as help booths and drinking water at all polling stations.