Union Home Minister chairs 31st Northern Zonal Council meeting in Amritsar

Haryana Chief Minister highlights key issues for Regional Development

Strongly advocates for SYL Construction, affiliation of state colleges from PU

Chandigarh, September 26- Union Home Minister, Sh. Amit Shah chaired the 31st meeting of the Northern Zonal Council convened in Amritsar, Punjab, today. During the meeting, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal apart from highlighting key issues for regional development, cooperation among the states also advocated for several critical issues including the construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) and the Affiliation of Haryana Colleges from Panjab University.

Punjab Governor, Sh. Banwarilal Purohit, Lieutenant Governor, UT of Jammu and Kashmir, Sh. Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, Delhi, Sh. Vinai Kumar Saxena, Punjab Chief Minister, Sh. Bhagwant Mann, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Sh. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and representatives of Northern Indian states attended the meeting.

The Chief Minister also underscored the significance of establishing an environment of collaboration among the states to ensure the successful and prompt execution of development projects. He emphasized that by pooling resources, sharing knowledge, and adopting best practices, the states could achieve efficient and effective project execution, ultimately contributing to the growth of the region and the nation as a whole.

Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) Canal Construction

The Chief Minister stressed the urgent need to complete the construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) canal in the Punjab region. He clarified that water availability and canal construction were distinct issues and should not be conflated. He pointed out that surplus water from rivers such as Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas currently flowed into Pakistan, and constructing SYL would enable the productive utilization of this valuable water resource. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of SYL as an alternative channel, especially in light of the aging Nangal Hydel Channel (NHC).

Affiliation of Haryana Colleges

Sh. Manohar Lal advocated for Haryana colleges in Panchkula, Ambala, and Yamunanagar to have the option of affiliating with Panjab University. He highlighted that while Haryana's share in Panjab University had been discontinued in 1973, reestablishing these affiliations would be in the best interest of students. He stressed the importance of expanding educational opportunities and enhancing the university's reputation by affiliating more colleges from both Haryana and Punjab.

Equitable Water Sharing

Reiterating Haryana's commitment to equitable water sharing and peaceful dispute resolution, the Chief Minister discussed issues related to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). He emphasized the need to address delays in repairing the Dhulkot BBMB sub-station and underscored the importance of raising the banks of the Bhakra Main Line for efficient water resource management.

Small Hydro Power Projects

Sh. Manohar Lal proposed considering Hathnikund as a national project for small hydropower projects. He believed that such a project could have far-reaching impacts on water management and power generation capabilities in the region, warranting detailed discussion.

Innovative Data Collection and Governance

The Chief Minister also shared Haryana's innovative approach to demographic data collection through the Parivar Pehchan Patra scheme. This scheme provides real-time demographic data and has created a comprehensive database of every family in the state. This database plays a crucial role in government planning and policy implementation, bridging the gap between data collection and practical application.

Sh. Manohar Lal encouraged other participating states to explore innovative solutions like PPP to strengthen governance and ensure the welfare and prosperity of all citizens.

Ayushman Bharat's scope expanded to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage

The Chief Minister apprised the Home Minister that on November 21, 2022, Haryana took a crucial step by extending Ayushman Bharat to families through the Antyodaya scheme via the Chirayu Yojana. This initiative provides healthcare benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh to the most vulnerable sections of society, aligning with Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) guidelines. To date, a total of 56,89,986 cards have been issued under this scheme. When combined with the Nirogi Haryana scheme, the total count of Ayushman cards issued stands at an impressive 85,79,273, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.

Expansion of PMJA-Chirayu Scheme for families having annual income ranging from Rs 1.80 lakh to Rs 3 lakh

The Chief Minister informed that responding to the needs of middle-income families with verified annual incomes ranging from Rs 1.80 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, the government has extended the PMJA-Chirayu Scheme. He further shared that to access these healthcare benefits, families are required to contribute a nominal amount of Rs 1500 per year. Since its launch on August 14, 2023, 12,236 families have made their contributions, enabling them to access the scheme's healthcare benefits. A total of 789 hospitals, including 175 public and 614 private facilities, have been enlisted across the state, facilitating this program. More than 9,10,525 claims have been submitted, with a total claim amount exceeding Rs 1,016.38 crore disbursed, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.

Haryana is committed to child welfare and swift justice

The Chief Minister shared that the Haryana Government remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens. A notable example of this commitment is a recent case of Child Sexual Offenses (POCSO) in the Kaithal district. The case, which deeply affected the collective conscience, led to swift action, he said.

Divulging more details about the said case, Sh. Manohar Lal further informed that a charge sheet was filed within just six days of the victim's father's complaint in October 2022. Remarkably, within a record 11 months from the date of the incident, the POCSO Court awarded the accused a death sentence for the heinous rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl. This outcome underscores the dedication of Haryana's law enforcement and judiciary to expedite justice and protect children, shared the Chief Minister.

Haryana has emerged as a Sports Powerhouse

The Chief Minister said that despite its small geographical size, Haryana has consistently demonstrated a wealth of sports talent. Recognizing this potential, the government has invested in sports facilities and incentives for athletes. This commitment has given rise to a burgeoning sports culture within the state, establishing Haryana as a veritable powerhouse of sports, said Sh. Manohar Lal.

Meanwhile, the 31st Northern Zonal Council meeting addressed various pressing issues among the northern states while promoting collaboration for the shared progress and development of the region.

Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Sh. J. P. Dalal, Urban Local Bodies Minister, Dr. Kamal Gupta, Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar also remained present on this occasion.

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Chief Minister sets example on Car Free Day, Rides motorcycle to inspire people

*Reached Karnal Airport on motorcycle

Chandigarh, Sept 26 - In a remarkable commitment to environmental conservation, Haryana Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal set an inspiring example on Car Free Day in Karnal. On Tuesday, he rode a motorcycle from the Public Works Department rest house to Karnal Airport, encouraging the city's residents to embrace eco-friendly transportation alternatives.

This gesture was followed by Gharaunda MLA Harvinder Kalyan, Deputy Commissioner Anish Yadav, Superintendent of Police Shashank Kumar Sawan, and all security personnel, who also reached the airport without using cars.

Highlighting the significance of this initiative, the Chief Minister said that collective efforts to reduce traffic congestion in the city can yield visible results for society as a whole. He underscored the importance of a clean environment in today's modern era, stating that trees and plants play an important role in providing shade, fruits, and even contributing to rain. He stressed that our connection to nature is irreplaceable, as it has endowed us with precious resources that need protection. Environmental conservation is paramount for our life, he added.

Appealing to the citizens, the Chief Minister encouraged everyone to use bicycles or motorcycles for their daily commuting on Car Free Day. By adopting these modes of transport, individuals can contribute to a pollution-free lifestyle and the betterment of the environment, he added.

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The more schemes government implements for the poor, the happier the society – Chief Minister

Old age pensions automatically extended to 80,000 residents across the state

Chandigarh, Sept 26- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, while stressing the need for government resources to prioritize the well-being of underprivileged communities, said that the more schemes the government implements for the economically disadvantaged, the greater the well-being of society will become. The government is committed to the welfare and development of poor and deprived communities.

The Chief Minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a Jan Samvad program held at Karnal late last evening.

This event marked the 19th Jan Samvad program within the Karnal assembly constituency, with seven more scheduled to take place in the coming month. During the event, he attentively listened to the concerns of individuals from various segments of society and directed the relevant officials to address these issues promptly.

Highlighting initiatives aimed at transforming the system, Sh Manohar Lal mentioned the introduction of a Parivar Pahchan Patra (PPP) for every household—an unprecedented step by the government. The data recorded in the PPP is exceptionally accurate, encompassing information about births and deaths. This data forms the basis for determining the precise population of any city. Furthermore, the government has initiated the practice of sending birthday wishes to every citizen. In a heart-warming gesture, the Chief Minister called Praveen Beniwal, born on September 25, and another person on the stage and congratulated them spreading smiles on their faces.

The Chief Minister affirmed that the state's 2.8 crore people are like his own family and their well-being is his foremost concern. The government has implemented various measures to ensure the education and healthcare of underprivileged children and to augment the income of economically disadvantaged individuals. He mentioned the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, which provides health insurance coverage up to Rs 5 lakh to citizens. The Central government had initially set an annual income threshold of Rs 1.20 lakh for eligibility. However, the Haryana government has expanded this limit to Rs 1.80 lakh, benefiting approximately 29 lakh families under the Ayushman/Chirayu Yojana. To further extend the reach of the Chirayu Yojana, the government has raised the annual income limit to Rs 3 lakh for eligible individuals within this income bracket, with beneficiaries required to pay an annual premium of Rs 1500. This scheme enables beneficiaries to access medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh at government or approved private hospitals.

Referring to the provision of an old age pension of Rs 2750 for individuals with an annual income up to Rs 3 lakh, Sh Manohar Lal highlighted that, based on income records in the PPP, pensions have now been automatically extended to approximately 80,000 residents of the state, eliminating the need for them to visit government offices. He said that Haryana is leading the way as the first state to grant widowers a monthly pension of Rs 2750 after reaching the age of 40. In addition, the government has also decided to provide pensions to unmarried individuals aged 45 to 60.

During his interaction with the people, the Chief Minister inquired about those who had not yet received their old age pensions or PPP and promptly instructed concerned officials to ensure that their pensions and PPP records are processed by Tuesday. Furthermore, he instructed the power corporation officials to resolve the electricity bill issue of Rs 1.90 lakh for a widow residence.

Responding to a request from OP Garg of the Senior Citizens Forum to install an umbrella over the statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, the Chief Minister assured a comprehensive assessment of the proposal. BK Nirmala requested land in Sector 9 for a community center, on this, the Chief Minister directed the EO of HSVP to investigate available space in the sector for social and religious institutions and communicate with the local Councillor. Subsequent steps, including advertising and further actions, will be carried out in accordance with established regulations. If no suitable space is found in Sector 9, efforts will extend to exploring options in surrounding sectors.

Gharaunda MLA Mr. Harivandra Kalyan, Municipal Corporation Mayor Mrs. Renu Bala Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Anish Yadav, SP Mr. Shashank Kumar Sawan, and officials from various government departments were also present on this occasion.

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Haryana Home and Health Minister, Sh. Anil Vij, has issued a series of directives aimed at ensuring swift and effective responses to various incidents and complaints.

Chandigarh, September 26- Haryana Home and Health Minister, Sh. Anil Vij, has issued a series of directives aimed at ensuring swift and effective responses to various incidents and complaints.

Locker Breaking at Cooperative Bank in Ambala:

Home Minister has directed the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Ambala to take stringent action in response to a recent case of locker breaking and theft reported at The Ambala Central Cooperative Bank Limited in Baldev Nagar, Ambala.

Murder Case of a Married Woman in Panjokhara Sahib:

Expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of progress in the murder case of a married woman from Panjokhara Sahib, Sh. Vij has instructed the SP, Kurukshetra to take resolute action in this matter. The deceased's family alleges that she was subjected to dowry harassment and poisoned by her in-laws.

Several cable operators in Ambala district have lodged complaints against an individual who has been continuously blackmailing them. These operators claim that baseless accusations have been filed against them in various departments, accompanied by demands for money in exchange for not pursuing these allegations. The Minister has directed the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Cantt police station to promptly register a case in this matter.

During his visit to Ambala, Sh. Vij also took the opportunity to address the concerns of residents from various areas who had sought his intervention. These issues included the repair of a broken water pipeline in Mandaur, action on a dowry harassment case filed by a married woman from the Cantonment area at the Maheshnagar police station, and resolution of discrepancies in a meter bill reported by a resident of Babyal. Minister Anil Vij has instructed relevant departmental officers to take appropriate actions to address these concerns.

Sh. Vij remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents of Ambala and is taking proactive steps to address issues and concerns in a timely manner.

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Plan to establish Ethanol Plants in Sugar Mills - Dr. Banwari Lal

Target of Crushing 424 lakh Quintals of Sugarcane with 10 percent Recovery Rate

Chandigarh, Sept 26– Haryana Minister of Cooperation Dr. Banwari Lal said that in order to facilitate farmers who bring sugarcane to the mills, a system has been established to send mobile notifications, ensuring that farmers do not encounter any difficulties or delays.

The Cooperation Minister engaged in discussions with farmers and organizational representatives here today.

He said that the sugarcane crushing operations will commence in all state cooperative sugar mills during the first week of November. This year's target is to process 424 lakh quintals of sugarcane with a recovery rate of 10 percent. He said that arrangements have also been made to provide nutritious and quality food to the farmers at an affordable rate of just Rs 10. Farmers are happy with timely payment of sugarcane and excellent arrangements.

He also mentioned that the government is actively working to enhance the capacity and production of sugar mills. An ambitious plan is underway to establish ethanol plants by forming a cluster of all the state's cooperative sugar mills, aiming to boost the economic viability of these mills. An ethanol plant has already commenced operations at the Shahabad sugar mill, and another one will soon be set up in Panipat also.

Dr. Banwari Lal added that sugar mills are diversifying their operations, including the production of refined sugar, buckets, and compact biogas. Additionally, efforts are being made to explore possibilities like manufacturing press mud and sugar. To make the state's PACS more versatile, initiatives such as opening Jan Aushadhi centres and making HAFED, Sugarfed, and dairy products accessible at reasonable prices are in progress. This will increase the income of sugar mills and provide employment opportunities for the youth.

During the event, Dr. Banwari Lal attentively listened to the concerns of the people and pledged to address them promptly.

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Haryana Chief Secretary directs upload of Legal Acts on Indian Code Portal with two-day submission deadline

Chandigarh, September 26: Haryana Chief Secretary, Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal asked all administrative secretaries to direct nodal officers of Departments under their administrative control to upload all acts and their statutory subordinate legislations on the Indian Code Portal in searchable PDF format and section-wise mapping of subordinate legislations, and to submit a completion certificate to the Law and Legislative Department, Haryana and the Legislative Department, Government of India, within two days positively.

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Sale of Plots for Mega Food Park Rohtak Launched

Chandigarh, September 26: HAFED and HSIIDC have launched the sale of plots in the Mega Food Park at Rohtak. HAFED has set up the Mega Food Park, Rohtak, which spreads across 50 acres and has 80 plots ranging from 450 to 4050 square meters. Dr. J. Ganesan, Managing Director, HAFED, issued allotment letters to the first allottees today at the HAFED Corporate Office in Panchkula.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ganesan said that the Mega Food Park is ideally located at IMT Rohtak on NH-10, linking Delhi and Rohtak. He informed investors that they can set up a wide range of units in the Mega Food Park, including cattle feed, fruit and vegetable processing, dairy and milk processing, grain and cereal processing, meat and poultry processing, spice processing, beverage production, edible oil extraction and refining, bakery, snack food manufacturing, ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-cook (RTC) foods, canning and preserving, and food ingredient manufacturing.

The most significant advantage for investors in the Mega Food Park is that they do not need to invest in creating common facilities for their units. Instead, they may utilize the common infrastructure facilities already set up by HAFED as a part of this project, such as a 5000 MT multi-purpose cold storage, a 1.5 MT/hr individual quick freezing (IQF) unit, a 1500 MT deep freezer, two 2500 MT silos, a 7500 square meter warehouse, and a food and quality testing laboratory. All these facilities will be available to investors on a nominal rental basis.

In addition, 24 standard design units of 236.20 square meters each have also been constructed in the Mega Food Park exclusively for MSMEs as plug-and-play facilities.

Dr. Ganesan expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders like MOFPI Government of India, Haryana Government NABARD, HSIIDC, and Investors for their support. He further informed that with the onset of the festive season, HAFED, in association with the HSIIDC, endeavors to offer all the remaining industrial plots for sale through e-auctions by HSIIDC regularly till all these plots are sold out on a free-hold basis.

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15 percent discount will be available till September 30 on self verification of property data