Voters must vote enthusiastically for strengthening democracy – Sh. Pankaj Agarwal

Three-Level Webcasting to Ensure Comprehensive Polling Station Monitoring

2,03,54,350 Voters, 1,031 Candidates, 20,632 Polling Booths Set Up

Polling to be held in the state on October 5 (Saturday) from 7 AM to 6 PM

Strict Security Vigil Across the Region

Chandigarh, October 4 - Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal, stated that the state is fully prepared for the upcoming 15th Legislative Assembly elections. He emphasized that every vote counts, and citizens should actively participate in this festival of democracy by exercising their franchise.

Sh. Agarwal stated that 2,03,54,350 voters, including 1,07,75,957 males, 95,77,926 females, and 467 third-gender voters, will cast their votes in the Assembly Elections on October 5. A total of 1,031 candidates are contesting across 90 constituencies, and 20,632 polling booths have been set up for the election.

100% Webcasting to Monitor Polling Stations at Three Levels

The Chief Electoral Officer informed that on the day of voting, 100% polling stations will be monitored through webcasting at three levels. Control rooms have been set up at the state, district, and assembly levels to ensure smooth monitoring during the elections.

225 Companies of Central Armed Police Forces Deployed for Security

To ensure law and order situation & peaceful voting during the elections, 225 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed across the state. This includes 40 companies of CRPF, 25 of BSF, 45 of CISF, 35 of ITBP, 45 of SSB, and 35 companies of RPF. Additionally, 391 Static Surveillance Teams (SST) and 453 Flying Squads Teams (FST) have been deployed for surveillance. Vigilance is also being maintained with 133 checkpoints (Nakkas) on the state borders and 140 checkpoints within the state.

Haryana Police Ensures Strict Security Measures for Peaceful Elections

The Chief Electoral Officer highlighted that Haryana Police has also made robust security arrangements to ensure that the Assembly Elections are conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. A total of 29,462 police personnel, 21,196 home guards, and 10,403 Special Police Officers (SPO) have been deployed across the state. Strict surveillance will be maintained at every corner of the state to allow citizens to cast their votes without fear.

Voters-in-Queue App to assist voters track queue status at respective polling booth

Sh. Agarwal announced that the ‘Voters-in-Queue’ app is available to help voters avoid long waiting times at polling booths, especially in urban areas. Citizens can use the app to check the status of queues at polling booths. The app updates the line status every 30 minutes. Any citizens from 30 Urban Legislative Assemblies can monitor the queue status from the comfort of their homes using the app.

Vote Fearlessly on October 5 to Strengthen Indian Democracy

Sh. Agarwal encouraged all voters in the state to vote on October 5, helping to strengthen Indian democracy. He said that voters uphold democratic traditions, and their participation is essential to strengthen democracy. The upcoming election is a chance to further strengthen these traditions and fulfill our constitutional duties.

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Haryana has purchased 12 times more paddy at MSP compared to Punjab

18,577 metric tons of paddy lifted from mandis so far

Rs.12.85 crore transferred to the accounts of more than 15,000 farmers

28,427 metric tons of Bajra purchased so far

Chandigarh, October 4 - Despite the strike by rice millers in Haryana and Punjab, the robust arrangements made by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Haryana for ensuring smooth and hassle free paddy procurement are yielding fruitful results and hence Department has provided significant relief to farmers by purchasing 12 times more paddy at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) compared to Punjab. The online gate pass system has made it much easier for farmers to sell their crops. So far, 1,18,763 metric tons of paddy have been procured in Haryana, while in Punjab, only 9433 metric tons have been purchased.

Divulging more details in this regard, a spokesperson of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department shared that various government agencies are purchasing paddy in the mandis. The paddy procurement process will continue until November 15, 2024. The government is procuring paddy at the MSP fixed by the centre. The MSP for common paddy is Rs. 2,300 per quintal, while the MSP for Grade-A paddy is Rs. 2,320 per quintal. Paddy is being purchased at 241 mandis and procurement centers in the state. Instructions have been issued by the department to procure paddy with up to 17 percent moisture content only. Adequate jute sacks (bardana) are available in all the mandis, and necessary equipment for crop cleaning and other activities are also ensured.

The spokesperson further shared that in addition to paddy, other Kharif crops are also being purchased at MSP. The procurement of Bajra at MSP has been ongoing since October 1 in the state, with purchases being made at 91 mandis and procurement centers.

The spokesperson said that farmers have been urged to bring their crops properly cleaned and dried to the mandis to avoid any issues during procurement. Paddy should not have more than 17 percent moisture content.

As of October 4, a total of 4,37,775 metric tons of paddy has arrived in the state's mandis, out of which government agencies have purchased 1,18,763 metric tons, and 18,577 metric tons of paddy have already been lifted.

The spokesperson shared that timely payments to farmers for their procured crops are being ensured, and over Rs. 12.85 crore has been directly transferred to the bank accounts of more than 15,000 farmers. The lifted paddy is being stored in warehouses, plinths, and other designated locations.

Kurukshetra leads in paddy procurement

The spokesperson shared that out of the total 1,18,763 metric tons of paddy procured so far, Kurukshetra district has seen the highest procurement with over 40,227 metric tons. Besides this, 28,116 metric tons has been procured in Yamunanagar, 30,149 metric tons in Ambala, 10,774 metric tons in Karnal, 3,436 metric tons in Kaithal and 5,424 metric tons in Panchkula. Similarly, procurement is ongoing in the mandis of other districts as well.

Rewari leads in Bajra procurement

The spokesperson also informed that the department started the procurement of Bajra at MSP from October 1, 2024. A total of 91 mandis and procurement centers have been specially opened for this, and by October 4 , over 28,427 metric tons of Bajra had been procured in the state.

He further shared that 9,791 metric tons of Bajra has been purchased at MSP in Rewari district, which is the highest so far. However, 7,199 metric tons of Bajra has been procured in Mahendragarh, 5,549 metric tons in Gurugram, 3,282 metric tons in Jhajjar, 841 metric tons in Bhiwani and 1,682 metric tons in Mewat.

The spokesperson said that the Kharif crop procurement process in the state is running smoothly and will continue until November 15, 2024. The department is fully committed to safeguarding farmers' interests and will ensure an uninterrupted and efficient procurement process throughout the season.