Chief Minister Launches 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' from Kurukshetra

This campaign is a public movement and will prove to be a significant step towards empowering farmers through knowledge, innovation, and technology – Chief Minister

Chandigarh, May 29 – As part of the nationwide Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini launched the state-level campaign from the holy land of Kurukshetra on Thursday. The objective of the campaign is to improve the agricultural sector by connecting farmers with new technologies, schemes, and innovations. It aims to educate farmers on scientific techniques for Kharif crops, highlight the importance of soil health cards, and provide access to government schemes and policies. Through direct interaction with farmers, feedback will be gathered to guide future agricultural research. This campaign, running across the state until June 12, is a testament to the government’s commitment to empowering farmers.

Addressing farmers from across the state at a joint event organized by Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry along with ICAR at Kurukshetra University campus, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that India has achieved self-reliance in food grain production due to the hard work and dedication of its farmers.

He emphasized that this campaign will turn every farmer into a policy participant and an innovation partner. This is not just a program, but a public movement that will be a major step toward empowering farmers with knowledge, innovation, and technology. It is a triveni, where agricultural scientists, officers from agriculture and allied departments, and farmers will engage in direct dialogue, he said.

A Prosperous India is Only Possible if Our Farmers are Happy and Self-Reliant

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi considers farmers the backbone of his vision for a Viksit Bharat. A developed, strong, and prosperous India is only possible when our farmers are self-reliant, he said.

He informed that under this mega campaign, more than 2,000 teams of agricultural scientists and officers have been formed across the country. These teams will visit villages and directly interact with around 1.5 crore farmers – making it the largest outreach programme in the history of Indian agriculture. During the campaign, farmers will receive advice based on local climate, soil, and crop conditions.

Campaign to Drive Farmers Towards Smart Agriculture Alongside Traditional Methods

The Chief Minister said that Haryana is an agriculture-dominated state, but faces challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, declining soil fertility, and changing market demands. The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan will empower farmers to address these issues. It will act as a bridge from lab to land, bringing agricultural research directly to the farmers' fields. Scientists, officers, and progressive farmers will work together to cover 1,380 villages and 109 blocks across the state.

He added that digital tools have revolutionized farming. During the campaign, information about digital technologies will also be shared to help farmers transition towards smart agriculture while retaining traditional methods.

Haryana Government Continuously Launching Welfare Schemes for Farmers

The Chief Minister said the Haryana government is consistently launching farmer-friendly welfare schemes. The state has given a bonus of Rs. 2,000 per acre for Kharif crops, amounting to Rs. 1,345 crore, a first in Haryana’s history. The long-standing colonial-era system of abiyana has been abolished, and pending dues worth Rs. 133 crore have been waived.

He said the compensation policy for high-tension electricity lines passing through farmland. Farmers are now entitled to 200 percent of the market rate for tower area land and 30 percent for land under power lines. Additionally, the government has granted ownership rights to tenant farmers.

The Chief Minister called on farmers to switch from water-intensive crops to alternatives and adopt natural farming practices, which are essential for today’s environmental needs. He echoed Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s call to conserve every drop of water and promote micro-irrigation.

He urged farmers to turn this campaign into a people’s movement and take decisive steps toward making India a developed nation once again.

Centre Launches Schemes to Increase Crop Production – Shyam Singh Rana

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that the 15-day campaign aims to boost crop production by providing farmers with land-related information, benefits of government schemes, and a platform for voicing their concerns. Scientists will interact directly with farmers to understand and respond to their needs. Recently, 15 lakh farmers in the state received their soil test reports via mobile, giving them valuable insights into their farm health.

He highlighted the success of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, which provides Rs. 6,000 per year directly into farmers' accounts, with 19 installments released so far. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana ensures compensation for crop losses due to natural disasters, requiring farmers to pay only 1.5 percent to 2 percent of the premium while the government covers the rest.

The Minister said that to tackle the issue of declining groundwater levels, the Mera Pani Meri Virasat scheme was implemented, under which farmers growing crops other than paddy receive Rs. 8,000 per acre. The government also supports natural farming by offering Rs. 30,000 per acre as a subsidy to purchase indigenous cows and providing assistance for drums used to make compost from cow dung, said Sh. Shyam Singh Rana.

During the event, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini released five departmental magazines and officially launched the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan poster prepared by ICAR by signing it.

Former Minister of State, Sh. Subhash Sudha, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Department, Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, Commissioner & Secretary, Fisheries Department Smt. Amneet P. Kumar, Director Agriculture, Sh. Rajnarayan Kaushik, Director General, Animal Husbandry, Dr. Prem Singh, Media Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Praveen Atreya, Chairman, Sh. Dharamveer Mirzapur, CCSHAU Vice Chancellor Dr. Baldev Raj Kamboj, Vice Chancellor of Maharana Pratap Horticulture University Sh Suresh Kumar Malhotra, and LUVAS Hisar Vice Chancellor Sh Naresh Jindal, and other dignitaries also remained present on this occasion.

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55 Years of Congress Misrule Behind Farmers’ Plight, Says Haryana Chief Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently empowered and strengthened farmers

During Congress rule, Rs.7.41 lakh crore was given for MSP of crops, while the Modi government has given Rs. 23.61 lakh crore in the last 10 years

Congress tried to mislead farmers with statements about ending MSP – Nayab Singh Saini

Chandigarh, May 29 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini criticized the Congress, saying the party that enjoyed the pleasures of power for 55 years is responsible for the poor condition of farmers. In contrast, since taking charge as the 'Pradhan Sevak' of the country in 2014, Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has not only consistently empowered and strengthened farmers but also considered them an important pillar of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and worked to make them self-reliant.

He said that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the central government recently announced an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, and he expressed gratitude for this decision.

Targeting Congress, he said that during elections, Congress leaders tried to mislead farmers by saying that if Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, the MSP would be discontinued. However, the reality is that since 2014, the Prime Minister has continually increased MSP in favor of farmers. The opposition should introspect before questioning the government on farmer welfare and refrain from making statements that harm farmers, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini while addressing farmers from across the state at the launch of the “Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan” held at Kurukshetra University in district Kurukshetra on Thursday. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh.Shyam Singh Rana was also present at the event.

Congress gave Rs. 7.41 lakh crore for MSP, Modi government gave Rs. 23.61 lakh crore in 10 years

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that during Congress rule, Rs. 7.41 lakh crore was given for MSP of crops, while the Modi government, in 10 years, provided Rs. 23.61 lakh crore. Until 2014, Congress gave Rs. 2.56 lakh crore MSP for wheat, while the Modi government has given Rs.5.65 lakh crore for wheat since then.

Similarly, Congress gave Rs. 1,900 crore for pulses, whereas the present government has provided Rs. 98,000 crore. For oilseeds, Congress gave Rs. 9,000 crore as MSP, while the Modi government transferred Rs. 65,000 crore directly to farmers' accounts. For crops like cotton etc., Congress gave Rs. 26,000 crore, while the present government has given Rs. 1.33 lakh crore, informed the Chief Minister.

He said that these figures clearly show that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has consistently worked to empower farmers and increase their income.

Present State Government working continuously for farmer upliftment

The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government is also working continuously for the welfare of farmers. Haryana is the first state in the country to decide to purchase all crops at MSP. To shield farmers from market risks, the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana was launched, under which around Rs. 111 crore has been disbursed to farmers.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana, Rs. 6,563 crore has been transferred to the accounts of around 20 lakh farmers in Haryana. Through the e-Kharid portal, Rs. 1.48 lakh crore has been transferred to 12 lakh farmers for crop purchases at MSP over the last 10 seasons, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

He said that being the son of a farmer, he has worked in the fields and understands the struggles of the working class. For him, the welfare of farmers is paramount. Expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister, he said only the Prime Minister could entrust a farmer's son with the responsibility of the state.

During Congress rule, farmers were given compensation cheques of Rs. 2 and Rs. 5

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that everyone remembers the time before 2014 in Haryana when farmers received cheques of Rs. 2 and Rs. 5 as compensation for crop damage due to natural disasters. The present state government, in contrast, has provided much higher compensation.

He said that while senior Congress leaders remain silent in public, they are active on social media. They should recall that during 10 years of Congress rule, only Rs. 1,155 crore was given as compensation to farmers, whereas the present state government has disbursed Rs. 15,145 crore in the last 10 years.

Recently, for farmers affected by fire damage to their crops, the government provided compensation at the rate of Rs. 30,000 per acre. Every step of this government, he said, is aimed at strengthening the farmer.

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Maharana Pratap Jayanti Celebrated with Grandeur in Salwan Village, Karnal

Chief Minister Attends State-Level Ceremony, Announces Major Development Projects

Chandigarh, May 29 – Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Jayanti was celebrated with great fervor and widespread participation from all communities. A state-level function was organized in Salwan village, Karnal district on Thursday, where Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini attended the programme as the chief guest.

Paying tribute to Maharana Pratap, the Chief Minister said he was not just a warrior but a living symbol of pride, valor, and sacrifice. He encouraged the youth to draw inspiration from his life and contribute to nation-building.

During the programme, the Chief Minister made several key announcements including, the Primary Health Centre in Salwan village will be named after Mohan Singh, Rs. 21 lakh allocated for the construction of Maharana Pratap Dharamshala in Assandh, a sports stadium to be built in Salwan once the Gram Panchayat will give land for the same. He said that a feasibility study will be conducted for developing an HSVP sector in Assandh.

The Chief Minister also announced to give Rs. 88 crore for special repair of 54 roads spanning 186 km in Assandh Assembly constituency, Special repair for 16 additional roads covering 91.49 km, Maintenance of 41 more roads, totaling 123 km in length, Paving of the village drain in Salwan.

Announcing infrastructure Projects, the Chief Minister announced Rs. 9 crore for strengthening the Assandh bypass, Rs. 34.37 crore for special repair of the Kohand–Assandh road. The Chief Minister also announced to give Rs. 5 crore for the construction of community halls in Assandh constituency, an additional Rs. 5 crore for other development works in the region.

A Nation That Remembers Its Great personalities moves Toward Prosperity– CM

The Chief Minister emphasized that a society or nation that remembers and honors its heroes, warriors, and martyrs continues on the path of progress and prosperity. He said the government has made it a policy to officially celebrate the birth anniversaries of saints and great personalities, unlike previous governments that only remembered figures from their own families.

Paying homage to Maharana Pratap, he said that such personalities belong to the entire nation. Their lives inspire values of patriotism, unity, and brotherhood, all of which contribute significantly to state and national development. He praised Maharana Pratap as a historical figure who never learned to bow or give up, making him a timeless role model.

Highlighting the historical Battle of Haldighati, the Chief Minister said it was not merely a war but a clash of culture versus power, pride versus imperialism, and righteousness versus oppression. Despite being outnumbered, 8,000 Rajput warriors defeated 40,000 Mughal soldiers in the battle. He stressed the importance of viewing history from a native perspective, rejecting biased portrayals that glorify invaders.

India on Its Way to Becoming a Global Power – CM

Marking the 75th year of the Indian Constitution, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini reaffirmed its core principles: freedom, equality, justice, and secularism. He said these ideals reflect the vision of warriors like Maharana Pratap, freedom fighters, and champions of democracy.

The Chief Minister said that under the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s leadership, and guided by the mantra ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’, India is progressing toward becoming a global superpower. He urged citizens to teach children that national interest must always come first, and to protect the nation’s values, culture, and constitution.

Maharana Pratap is a Beacon of Inspiration for Youth– Shyam Singh Rana

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that Maharana Pratap’s life is a source of inspiration for the youth. He never compromised with Mughal emperor Akbar, and his bravery is respected globally. Maharana Pratap's developmental work during his reign continues to inspire.

He said that Maharana Pratap was born at a time when India’s rich culture was under threat and religious sentiments were being hurt. It is a matter of pride that such a great leader was born in the brave Rajput community, which has always been at the forefront of defending the honor of India.

MLA, Sh. Yogender Rana presented several demands related to local development, all of which received assurance from the Chief Minister.

MLAs Sh. Ram Kumar Kashyap, Sh. Satpal Jamba, Sh. Bhagwan Das Kabirpanthi, MLA, Sheo, Rajasthan Sh. Ravindra Bhati, former UP Minister, Sh. Suresh Rana, and several other dignitaries from across Haryana also attended the programme.

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*Excise and Taxation Department conducted 2nd round of auction for excise retail liquor vends*

Chandigarh May 29: Excise and Taxation Department, today conducted 2nd round of auction for excise retail liquor vends. In the 2nd round, auctions of retail vends of 8 districts were conducted - Faridabad, Fatehabad, Sonepat, Ambala, Bhiwani, Kaithal, Kurukshetra and Panchkula.

Giving more details in this regard, Excise and Taxation Commissioner Sh Vinay Pratap Singh stated that bidders were given time from 9 AM on 28th May to 4 PM on 29th May to submit bids for auction of excise retail liquor vends in these 8 districts. The bids were opened by the committee chaired by Deputy Commissioners of concerned districts.

He said that the Department has received better response in the 2nd round of excise auctions as compared to the earlier round of auctions with 330 zones getting alloted out of 458 zones, which is a significantly better bid participation rate as compared to last year for the same round. He stated that wide participation in the auction process of the 330 zones shows a better response to the State's Excise Policy. The state has been able to secure the license fee of approx Rs 3537 Crore from the auctioned zones of 8 districts, exhibiting a high increase from the license fee received in the same round in last excise policy year.

He said that the remaining 128 zones of these 8 districts will again be put for auction in 1st week of June, schedule for which will be notified soon. Excise and Taxation Department has scheduled next round of auctions for 6 districts - Gurugram (East), Yamunanagar, Jind, Karnal, Palwal & Rewari with effect from 9 AM on 30th May till 4 PM on 31st May.

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Officers must resolve People's Issues Promptly- Education Minister

Education Chairs District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee Meeting in Bhiwani

Chandigarh, May 29 – Haryana Education Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said that government officers and employees are public servants and must resolve citizens' issues with a sense of duty and urgency. If any citizen becomes a victim of fraud, the police must take prompt action to ensure that the guilty are punished. The Minister said that any officer or employee who fails to deliver justice will face strict action.

Sh. Dhanda said this while chairing the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee meeting at the Panchayat Bhawan in Bhiwani on Thursday.

Out of the 15 complaints presented in the meeting, the Education Minister resolved 9 on the spot and directed the concerned departments to conduct in-depth investigations into the remaining ones.

The Minister said that the infrastructure of government schools is being rapidly improved to ensure a brighter future for children. He expressed happiness that the results of government schools have surpassed those of private schools.

The Education Department is working on developing a skill-based subject for students from classes 9 to 12 that would equip them with employable skills, enabling them to pursue self-employment after passing class 12 instead of solely seeking jobs, said Sh. Mahipal Dhanda.

He said that Haryana is the first state in the country to implement the National Education Policy 2020.

Bhiwani MLA Sh. Ghanshyam Saraf, Bawani Khera MLA, Sh. Kapoor Valmiki, Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Mahavir Kaushik, Superintendent of Police, Sh. Manbir Singh, and several other officers also remain present on this occasion.

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One-Day Orientation Programme on June 5 for MNOs, SMNOs, and SNOs – Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal

Chandigarh, May 29 – Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal, said that the Election Commission of India is continuously taking meaningful steps to make the election process more robust, transparent, and modern. As part of this initiative, the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi, will organize a one-day orientation program on June 5.

He informed that this special programme is designated for Media Nodal Officers (MNOs), Social Media Nodal Officers (SMNOs), and State Nodal Officers (SNOs) associated with the offices of Chief Electoral Officers of states and union territories. During the programme, they will receive training on the latest guidelines and technical aspects related to election-related information communication systems, media management, and social media monitoring.

He said that the objective of this programme is to acquaint the officers with new technologies and platforms related to information and media management and to share strategies for effectively countering fake news, misinformation, and rumors on social media. He also noted that IIIDEM had earlier organized a similar orientation session on April 9.

Empowering Transparent, Impartial, and Timely Election Communication Systems at the Grassroots

Sh. Agarwal emphasized that this programme will contribute not only to the professional development of the officers but also help in realizing the Election Commission of India's vision of "digital awareness, impartiality, and transparency in information" on the ground. He said that elections are not merely a process but a celebration of democracy, which can only be successfully conducted with dedication, transparency, and technological competence. This orientation programme will unite election-related officers on a common platform to encourage dialogue and innovation.

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Health Minister Arti Singh Rao chairs meeting of High-Powered Purchase Committee in Panchkula

Tenders worth Rs 50 crore for purchase of crucial medicines and medical equipment approved

Chandigarh, May 29 - Haryana Health and Family Welfare Minister Arti Singh Rao chaired the meeting of the High-Powered Purchase Committee today in Panchkula, where several crucial tenders for medicines and medical equipment worth Rs 50 crore were approved to strengthen the state’s healthcare infrastructure.

During the meeting, the tender for procurement of 19 Apheresis Machines, amounting to Rs 10.78 crore, was approved. These machines are essential for platelet separation in the treatment of dengue patients and are expected to significantly enhance the management of dengue cases in the state.

In a further step to improve healthcare for thalassemia patients, the committee approved the tender amounting to Rs 1.9 crore for Leuco Reduction Filters. This will help ensure the availability of critical filters needed for the ongoing treatment and management of thalassemia patients in Haryana.

To address the urgent needs of haemophilia patients, the tender for the procurement of Anti-Haemophilia Factor VIII worth Rs 19 crore, along with EHL Recombinant Factor VIII valued at Rs 3.6 crore, was also approved.

Additionally, the committee approved a tender amounting to approximately Rs 16 crore for the procurement of anti-cancer medicines and injections, along with other critical injections and medicines. This move is aimed at enhancing the treatment options for cancer patients and ensuring the continuous availability of essential medicines across the state’s healthcare facilities.

Health Minister Arti Singh Rao emphasised the government’s commitment to providing essential healthcare facilities and timely treatments for critical diseases like dengue, thalassemia, haemophilia, and cancer. She highlighted that these decisions will play a crucial role in improving patient care and treatment outcomes throughout Haryana.