*Haryana's Bhu-Mitra Chatbot Brings Government Services to Your Fingertips – FCR, Dr. Sumita Misra*

Chandigarh, October 15 – The days of long queues and complex bureaucratic processes for Haryana’s Revenue Department services are rapidly fading, thanks to the launch of the Bhu-Mitra WhatsApp Chatbot. This innovative digital assistant is fundamentally changing how citizens interact with the government, making key services instantly accessible from any mobile phone.

Haryana's Financial Commissioner Revenue, Dr. Sumita Misra, termed Bhu-Mitra as a crucial step toward simple, transparent, and accessible governance. "This chatbot empowers people by bringing government services to their fingertips," she stated. "With just a few taps on WhatsApp, anyone can get information, lodge a complaint, or check application status — anytime, anywhere.”

The Bhu-Mitra chatbot offers five primary services: Revenue Services, Demarcation Services, Lodge Complaint, Know Complaint Status, and Public Information Access. The system operates in both Hindi and English, ensuring user-friendliness for all citizens. The Bhu Mitra chatbot number is 9593300009.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who launched the initiative, emphasized that Bhu-Mitra embodies Haryana’s commitment to citizen-centric and corruption-free governance. The system is designed to deliver services quickly and directly to the people, effectively eliminating the need for middlemen.

Dr. Misra explained that a key feature of the chatbot is its automated communication. All updates and responses are shared directly with citizens via WhatsApp and SMS, removing the need for repeated office visits or follow-up calls. This guarantees time-bound, paperless, and transparent service delivery—a testament to the state’s vision for a Digital Haryana.

Urging widespread adoption, Dr. Misra stated that the true success of digital governance hinges on active public participation. The Bhu-Mitra chatbot is helping to realize the Chief Minister's goal of "Digital Haryana, Empowered Citizens" by bringing governance closer to every home.

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Educational Reforms and Employment for Youth are Top Priorities of Government: CM Nayab Singh Saini

1.80 lakh youth given government jobs on merit: CM

Chief Minister awards degrees and medals to students at the Fourth Convocation of Baba Mastnath University

80 new colleges, 13 universities and 15 new government polytechnics established in the state over the last 11 years: CM

Chandigarh, October 15 — Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the State Government is focusing on reforms in the education sector aimed at providing youth with quality education as well as employment opportunities so that they can actively contribute to society and nation-building. The State Government has provided 1.80 lakh government jobs to deserving youth purely on merit, without ‘kharchi-parchi’, and has set a target of 2 lakh jobs during the third term. The Chief Minister urged the youth to continue working hard for competitive examinations, assuring them that their efforts will certainly bear fruit.

The Chief Minister was addressing the Fourth Convocation Ceremony of Baba Mastnath University, Asthal Bohar, in Rohtak on Wednesday as the Chief Guest. On this occasion, Development and Panchayats Minister Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar, Education Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, and the University’s Chancellor Mahant Balak Nath Yogi were also present. The Chief Minister presented medals and degrees to the students.

Congratulating the students, teachers, and parents, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that a convocation ceremony represents the pride and achievement of any educational institution.

The Chief Minister said that the Fourth Convocation of Baba Mastnath University, established in 2012, is carrying forward the sacred tradition of knowledge associated with this holy land. He appreciated the guidance of Chancellor Mahant Balak Nath Yogi Ji and recalled that Baba Mastnath Ayurvedic College, established in 1957 by Mahant Shreyonath Ji Maharaj, has today grown into a vast university offering education in diverse fields such as Ayurveda, Engineering, Law, Nursing, and Humanities. Haryana has earned recognition as a leading state in the fields of education, sports, culture, research, and industry, in which institutions like Baba Mastnath University have made a commendable contribution.

National Education Policy to provide youth with opportunities for skill development, research and innovation

The Chief Minister said Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi envisions an education system that makes the young generation employable, builds their character, and instills moral values in them. For this purpose, he has implemented the National Education Policy across the country. Haryana is the first state in India to have implemented the National Education Policy in all its higher education institutions in the year 2024.

He said that the goal of the Haryana Government is to ensure that every student receives quality education along with employment-oriented training. To link education with skill development, several concrete initiatives have been undertaken — NSQF in schools, the ‘Pahal Yojana’ in colleges, incubation centres in universities, and MoUs with industries in technical institutions.

The Chief Minister said that one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century is to bridge the gap between education and employment. For this, education should not be confined to classrooms alone but must be directly linked with the current needs of industries. All universities and colleges in the state must adopt the industry-academia partnership model. In this direction, the State Government has signed agreements with more than 580 industries for placement opportunities in technical institutions. He added that under the new National Education Policy, the state is establishing educational institutions that provide education from KG to PG levels. In several universities, admissions have already been made under the KG to PG scheme.

80 new colleges, 13 universities opened in state in past 11 years

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that over the last 11 years, a total of 80 new government colleges have been opened in the state, of which 30 are for girls. The total number of colleges in the state has now increased to 185. Similarly, during the same period, 13 new universities have been established in the state. The number of medical colleges has also increased from 6 to 17, and the number of MBBS seats has risen from 700 to 2,435. In addition, 15 new government polytechnic institutions have been opened. In 2014, there were 28 such institutions, which have now increased to 43, and their intake capacity has risen from 11,985 to 16,434. Furthermore, through the Haryana Kaushal Rojgar Nigam, the government has not only provided employment to the youth but has also ensured job security for them.

Students should contribute significantly to realising India’s vision of global welfare: Mahipal Dhanda

Education Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda called upon the graduating students to make a meaningful contribution toward fulfilling India’s resolve for global welfare and to carry forward the nation’s rich heritage and culture. He said that since ancient times, India’s saints and sages have conveyed important messages for the welfare of the world. The concept of global welfare has been a great and noble idea of India since ancient times. He said every citizen should fulfill their duty toward protecting righteousness (Dharma), ensuring the welfare of all beings, and making India the strongest and greatest nation in the world. Students, through their education, should enhance India’s glory in every field. He also urged everyone to contribute to realizing the dream of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi to make India a developed and the most powerful nation in the world by 2047.

On this occasion, former Minister Sh. Manish Kumar Grover, Vice-Chancellor of MDU Prof. Rajbir Singh, Vice-Chancellor of SUPVA Sh. Amit Arya, Vice-Chancellor of BMU Prof. B.M. Yadav, Registrar Dr. Vinod Kumar, Mayor Ram Avatar Valmiki, and other distinguished dignitaries were present. =================================================

ECI issues directions for ease of voting for Persons with Disabilities

Chandigarh, October 15- Haryana Chief Electoral officer, Sh. A. Sreenivas said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the General Election to Legislative Assembly of Bihar and the bye-elections in 8 ACs on October 6, 2025. The Commission has directed the Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) to ensure that the elections are made accessible to Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). In Bihar, all polling stations will be located at ground floor/road entry level and will have ramps with proper gradient for the convenience of PwD electors and senior citizens with wheelchairs. Also, it has been directed that PwD electors and senior citizens are given priority for entering polling booths.

He said that to facilitate the Persons with Visual Impairment, the Commission has directed to issue Accessible Voter Information Slips with Braille Features, along with the regular Voter Information Slips (VIS). As per Rule 49N of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, visually impaired persons can take a companion along with them to cast their vote on their behalf at the Polling Station.

He further said that dummy Ballot Sheets in Braille will also be made available in all Polling Stations. Any visually impaired voter can use this sheet to cast his/her vote by themselves using the Braille facility on Ballot Units of EVMs without any help from a companion. The Commission has directed that there should be a proper transport facility for PwDs at the polling station on the day of the poll. The PwD electors can also request transport and wheelchair facility by registering on Divyang (Saksham) Module of ECINET.

These facilities will be available at each of the 90,712 Polling Stations in Bihar. Additionally, in another initiative, 292 Polling Stations will be exclusively managed by Persons with Disabilities.

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Haryana Government to bring uniformity in medical reimbursement for retired PSU employees

Chandigarh, October 15 – The Haryana Government has issued important directions aimed at bringing uniformity in the medical reimbursement provided to retired employees of State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

The State Government has decided that each State PSU shall determine the amount of medical reimbursement to be provided to its retired employees for a particular financial year after conducting an annual assessment of its financial position. This amount will be decided with the approval of the Board of Directors and the competent authority, and the expenditure will be borne by the respective PSU.

The directions also clarify that this financial autonomy shall be limited strictly to the medical reimbursement facility for retired employees. In all other financial matters, the instructions issued by the Finance Department on September 19, 2024, shall be followed in letter and spirit.

It came to the notice of the State Government that various State PSUs were extending medical reimbursement benefits to retired employees covered under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) or Contributory Provident Fund (CPF) through different provisions. These varying arrangements were leading to disparities among different organizations.

A letter in this regard has been issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, who also holds the charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, to all Boards, Corporations, Companies, Cooperative Institutions, and Autonomous Bodies of the State.

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Haryana Government to bring uniformity in medical reimbursement for retired PSU employees

Chandigarh, October 15 – The Haryana Government has issued important directions aimed at bringing uniformity in the medical reimbursement provided to retired employees of State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

The State Government has decided that each State PSU shall determine the amount of medical reimbursement to be provided to its retired employees for a particular financial year after conducting an annual assessment of its financial position. This amount will be decided with the approval of the Board of Directors and the competent authority, and the expenditure will be borne by the respective PSU.

The directions also clarify that this financial autonomy shall be limited strictly to the medical reimbursement facility for retired employees. In all other financial matters, the instructions issued by the Finance Department on September 19, 2024, shall be followed in letter and spirit.

It came to the notice of the State Government that various State PSUs were extending medical reimbursement benefits to retired employees covered under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) or Contributory Provident Fund (CPF) through different provisions. These varying arrangements were leading to disparities among different organizations.

A letter in this regard has been issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, who also holds the charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, to all Boards, Corporations, Companies, Cooperative Institutions, and Autonomous Bodies of the State.

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Health Minister listens to public grievances in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, October 15 – Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao today held a public hearing at her official residence in Chandigarh. On this occasion, people from various parts of the state presented their problems and grievances before the Minister.

The Health Minister listened to each person carefully and directed the concerned departmental officers to ensure prompt and satisfactory resolution of their issues. She said that the State Government is fully committed to the welfare of the people and meeting their aspirations.

Arti Singh Rao emphasized that the government’s priority is to provide timely healthcare services, basic amenities, and the benefits of welfare schemes to every citizen without any discrimination. She instructed the officers not to show laxity in matters related to public welfare and to address people’s concerns on a priority basis.

A large number of people attended the public hearing and shared their issues with the Health Minister. They appreciated her efforts to connect directly with the public and understand their problems firsthand.