IKEA Appreciates Haryana Government's Investor-Friendly Ecosystem, Explores New Investment Opportunities in the State

IKEA's Rs 3,500-Crore Gurugram Project to Generate over 10,000 Jobs

Chandigarh, July 8: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini today met a high-level delegation from Sweden led by IKEA India CEO Mr. Patrik Antoni at Sant Kabir Kutir in Chandigarh. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between Haryana and IKEA and exploring future investment opportunities in the state. IKEA is a Swedish home furnishings company with India as one of its most important growth markets and a unique example of the company's full value-chain presence.

During the meeting, Mr. Patrik Antoni expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chief Minister for the Haryana Government's consistent support in facilitating the timely execution of construction activities and other related processes for IKEA's projects in Haryana. He also appreciated the prompt assistance extended by the Chief Minister's Office, the Department of Foreign Cooperation and other concerned departments in expediting routine approvals and addressing the company's requirements.

Mr. Antoni conveyed IKEA's keen interest in expanding its presence in Haryana and committed to investing in more new projects. He said Haryana's progressive policies, industry-friendly ecosystem and proactive governance have created a conducive environment for global companies to invest and grow.

Welcoming IKEA's continued interest in the state, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini reaffirmed the Haryana Government's commitment to providing a seamless and investor-friendly business environment. He directed officials of the Chief Minister's Office to extend all possible support to IKEA for the successful implementation of its projects and future expansion plans in Haryana.

The Chief Minister also presented a copy of the Bhagavad Gita to Mr. Patrik Antoni as a gesture of goodwill and warm hospitality.

During the interaction, Mr. Antoni invited the Chief Minister to inaugurate IKEA's Gurugram store after its completion next year. The Chief Minister appreciated IKEA's commitment to Haryana and expressed confidence that the project would further strengthen the state's position as a preferred investment destination for global companies. It is noteworthy that the foundation stone of the store was laid by former Haryana Chief Minister and Union Minister Sh. Manohar Lal.

The company is already driving investments of approximately Rs 3,500–4,000 crore in Haryana through its landmark Gurugram project, which is expected to generate around 10,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. Spread over nearly 10 acres, the project will be one of IKEA's flagship investments in India, bringing together retail, office spaces and community-focused experiences under a single destination. The Haryana Government is also working closely with the company to ensure the availability of a skilled workforce through its robust skill development ecosystem, enabling local youth to benefit from the employment opportunities created by the project.

Notably, the Department of Foreign Cooperation serves as the nodal department for Haryana's international engagement, facilitating global partnerships, strengthening diplomatic outreach and extending assistance to the Haryanvi diaspora. The department plays a key role in advancing the state government's vision of transforming Haryana through a 'Go Global Approach'.

Chief Principal Secretary to CM Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Foreign Cooperation Department, Sh. Pawan Kumar Choudhary and other dignitaries were present in the meeting.

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Haryana Ensures Public Infrastructure is Accessible to Persons with Disabilities, Elderly and All Citizens

Dr. Sumita Misra directs PWD, Architecture Department to incorporate accessibility norms in all eligible projects

Chandigarh, July 8 - In a landmark policy decision aimed at making public infrastructure inclusive and barrier-free, the Haryana Government has decided to make compliance with universal accessibility standards mandatory in infrastructure projects funded under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.

Finance Commissioner Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra shared this information here today. She said that all eligible projects under the Centre-sponsored scheme would be required to comply with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India, 2021. The move marks a significant shift from retrofitting existing buildings to incorporating accessibility features at the planning and design stage itself.

Under this, the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Department of Architecture will ensure that accessibility standards are incorporated into the design and execution of all eligible projects, including new government buildings as well as renovation and repair works.

Dr. Misra said the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, being responsible for a large network of public infrastructure including Mini Secretariat Buildings, Tehsil and Sub-Tehsil Office Complexes, Government Residential Quarters and Transit Flats, will ensure that accessibility norms are incorporated in all projects under its administrative control.

Dr. Sumita Misra said that integrating accessibility measures at the planning and design stage would ensure compliance with the statutory provisions of the RPwD Act, 2016, while eliminating the need for costly retrofitting after construction. She said adopting universal design principles from the outset would help create infrastructure that is inclusive, sustainable and accessible for every citizen.

Dr Misra further said that universal accessibility is not confined to persons with disabilities alone. Infrastructure designed on universal accessibility principles also benefits senior citizens, pregnant women, children and people with temporary mobility limitations. Features such as ramps, accessible entrances, lifts, tactile pathways, handrails, accessible toilets and proper signage make public buildings safer, more convenient and easier to use for all sections of society.

She said mainstreaming accessibility in public infrastructure would not only fulfil the statutory requirements of the RPwD Act but also strengthen Haryana's commitment to inclusive and equitable development.

With this decision, Haryana has aligned its infrastructure planning with the national vision of Accessible India (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan). The move is expected to set a benchmark for future public infrastructure projects by making universal accessibility a core design requirement rather than an afterthought.

Haryana Chief Secretary Directs Government Employees in Chandigarh Houses to Submit Rooftop Solar Option Forms by July 10

Chandigarh, July 8: Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi has directed all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments and Chief Administrators to ensure that Haryana government employees residing in Chandigarh Administration-allotted government accommodation submit their option/undertaking forms regarding the use of rooftop solar power systems by July 10, 2026.

The directions have been issued following a communication received from the House Allotment Committee, Chandigarh Administration, which is implementing the Union Government's initiative to achieve saturation of rooftop solar installations in government residential buildings.

The Chief Secretary has asked all departments to ensure that eligible employees submit the prescribed undertaking through their respective Heads of Departments within the stipulated deadline so that the forms can be forwarded to the Office of the House Allotment Committee, Sector-18, Chandigarh, for further action.

According to the Chandigarh Administration, the exercise was initiated after receiving representations from several government employees regarding solar user charges. Accordingly, employees have been asked to indicate their choice by opting for one of the prescribed options in the undertaking form—consenting to use the electricity generated by the rooftop solar plant and paying applicable user charges, declining to use the solar power facility, or indicating that the option is not applicable to them.

The undertaking also specifies that employees who opt to use solar power agree to pay the applicable solar user charges and permit authorised personnel to access the premises for maintenance of the solar power plant. Those declining consent acknowledge that the electricity generated will be transferred to the distribution licensee through the gross metering mechanism in accordance with applicable rules.

The Chief Secretary has directed all departments to ensure strict compliance with the instructions and timely submission of the forms.

The House Allotment Committee has clarified that if no undertaking is received by July 10, 2026, it will be presumed that the concerned employee has not consented to the use of the rooftop solar power facility.

Haryana Ensures Public Infrastructure is Accessible to Persons with Disabilities, Elderly and All Citizens

Dr. Sumita Misra directs PWD, Architecture Department to incorporate accessibility norms in all eligible projects

Chandigarh, July 8 - In a landmark policy decision aimed at making public infrastructure inclusive and barrier-free, the Haryana Government has decided to make compliance with universal accessibility standards mandatory in infrastructure projects funded under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.

Finance Commissioner Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra shared this information here today. She said that all eligible projects under the Centre-sponsored scheme would be required to comply with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and the Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India, 2021. The move marks a significant shift from retrofitting existing buildings to incorporating accessibility features at the planning and design stage itself.

Under this, the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Department of Architecture will ensure that accessibility standards are incorporated into the design and execution of all eligible projects, including new government buildings as well as renovation and repair works.

Dr. Misra said the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, being responsible for a large network of public infrastructure including Mini Secretariat Buildings, Tehsil and Sub-Tehsil Office Complexes, Government Residential Quarters and Transit Flats, will ensure that accessibility norms are incorporated in all projects under its administrative control.

Dr. Sumita Misra said that integrating accessibility measures at the planning and design stage would ensure compliance with the statutory provisions of the RPwD Act, 2016, while eliminating the need for costly retrofitting after construction. She said adopting universal design principles from the outset would help create infrastructure that is inclusive, sustainable and accessible for every citizen.

Dr Misra further said that universal accessibility is not confined to persons with disabilities alone. Infrastructure designed on universal accessibility principles also benefits senior citizens, pregnant women, children and people with temporary mobility limitations. Features such as ramps, accessible entrances, lifts, tactile pathways, handrails, accessible toilets and proper signage make public buildings safer, more convenient and easier to use for all sections of society.

She said mainstreaming accessibility in public infrastructure would not only fulfil the statutory requirements of the RPwD Act but also strengthen Haryana's commitment to inclusive and equitable development.

With this decision, Haryana has aligned its infrastructure planning with the national vision of Accessible India (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan). The move is expected to set a benchmark for future public infrastructure projects by making universal accessibility a core design requirement rather than an afterthought.