VB G-RAM-G Act to reform MGNREGA for Viksit Bharat- CM

Act to Guarantee 125 Days of Work, Higher Wages and Corruption-Free Rural Employment- CM

Rs. 1.51 lakh crore allocation marks decisive break from flawed MGNREGA system, says CM

Chandigarh, January 5- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 represents a fundamental overhaul of rural employment policy in India, ensuring more guaranteed workdays, higher wages, transparent payments and creation of durable assets, while putting an end to the corruption and inefficiencies that plagued the earlier MGNREGA framework.

Addressing a press conference here today, the Chief Minister said the Viksit Bharat–G-RAM-G Act is designed to support genuine labourers who were betrayed under previous governments. He said, this law ensures real-time monitoring, transparent wage payments and higher guaranteed employment. Rural workers will now contribute to building a truly developed India, rather than enriching corrupt contractors, officials or politicians.

Cabinet Ministers, Dr. Arvind Sharma, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar and Media Secretary to Chief minister, Sh. Praveen Attrey also remained present on this occasion.

He said that the new law, introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, replaces an outdated structure that no longer reflects the realities of India’s transformed rural economy. He said the legislation is directly linked to the lives and livelihoods of crores of rural labourers, farmers and working families across the country.

Old frameworks must evolve with changing times, says CM

The Chief Minister said that MGNREGA, launched nearly two decades ago, was conceived in a different economic and social context. Like all public welfare schemes, it required reform as circumstances changed. However, successive governments failed to address its structural weaknesses.

He said that over the past 20 years, India’s rural economy has undergone a fundamental shift. Rural poverty, which stood at over 25 percent in 2011–12, has now declined to below 5 percent. At the same time, the last decade has witnessed unprecedented expansion in digital connectivity, banking access, Aadhaar coverage, Direct Benefit Transfer systems and infrastructure development. Continuing with a flawed and outdated employment structure without reform was neither in the interest of labourers nor of the nation, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

Guaranteed employment increased to 125 days, boosting incomes nationwide, says CM

The Chief Minister said that under the new law, the employment guarantee has been increased from 100 to 125 days, significantly enhancing assured income for rural workers. He said this would lead to an average annual income increase of over Rs. 7,000 for an unskilled rural worker across India. In Haryana, where wage rates are the highest in the country, each worker would earn at least Rs. 10,000 more annually, he said.

Record Rs. 1.51 lakh crore allocation ensures financial backing- CM

The Chief Minister said the Centre has allocated Rs. 1.51 lakh crore for the scheme this year, surpassing last year’s record allocation of Rs. 88,000 crore. He said the Central Government’s share alone exceeds Rs.95,000 crore, with a commitment to further increase funding in the coming years to strengthen rural employment security.

The Chief Minister said that in the current year, over 52 percent Scheduled Caste workers and more than 65 percent women workers received employment in Haryana under the scheme.He said that unlike earlier practices, this work was actually performed by workers, rather than being executed through machines while labourers remained unemployed.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the nature of permissible works has been redefined to ensure long-term benefits. Employment will now be generated in water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood resources and climate-resilient asset creation. He added that Gram Panchayat plans have been aligned with the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan, ensuring that village-level works contribute directly to national development goals.

The Chief Minister said the scheme includes a 60-day pause during peak agricultural seasons, allowing labourers to support farming activities and earn higher market wages, while farmers receive timely labour support. He said that mandatory weekly wage payments, with a maximum delay of 15 days, would ensure timely income, financial independence and empowerment for rural workers.

Technology-driven safeguards eliminate fraud and exploitation- CM

The Chief Minister said the new law incorporates biometric authentication, direct digital wage transfers, geo-tagging of assets and satellite monitoring through ISRO’s Bhuvan portal. He said weekly public disclosures and a multi-level grievance redressal system with a seven-day resolution timeline would ensure accountability and transparency. He said that works have been clearly categorised into priority sectors to prevent creation of fake projects for financial manipulation.

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Repeated Falsehoods have turned Congress, INDI alliance into a Subject of Public Mockery-CM

Congress-AAP Share a ‘Bua-Fuffad’ Bond-CM

Punjab Assembly Resolution on Rural Employment Is Politically Motivated and Fact-Less- CM

MGNREGA became synonymous with corruption under Congress rule, says CM

Punjab example exposes scale of misuse and non-payment of wages- CM

Haryana pays highest rural wages in India- CM

Chandigarh, January 5- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Congress party and the INDI alliance deliberately misleading MGNREGA workers through a sustained campaign of falsehoods. Their repeated lies have completely destroyed their credibility and led people to openly mock and dismiss their claims.

Addressing a press conference here today, the Chief Minister said Congress has mastered the art of spreading misinformation whenever it runs out of logic or constructive ideas. He said that every time welfare reforms are introduced for the poor, Congress and the INDI alliance begin questioning the initiatives instead of offering solutions.

Cabinet Ministers, Dr. Arvind Sharma, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar and Media Secretary to Chief minister, Sh. Praveen Attrey also remained present on this occasion.

The Chief Minister said that if Congress had any genuine suggestions for Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, they should have raised them in the Lok Sabha. Instead, he said, they avoid debate, shut down discussions, and walk away without answers. A similar pattern is seen in state assemblies, where Congress members arrive unprepared, submit incomplete representations, and leave, only to later spread rumours among the public, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. He said that instead of spreading misinformation about the “Developed India” vision and welfare schemes, Congress and the INDI alliance should come clean about their own record.

Congress-AAP Share a ‘Bua-Fuffad’ Bond-CM

Mocking Punjab Government of hastily passing pass the resolution on the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 in their Vidhan Sabha on December 30, the Chief Minister said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should have clearly read the Act before passing any resolution. He added that instead of political theatrics between Congress and AAP, who share a Bua-Fuffad relationship, Bhagwant Mann should ensure Punjab pays Rs. 400 wages like Haryana, instead of the current Rs. 339.

He said that passing a resolution just like that is nothing but a politically orchestrated move devoid of facts, figures or seriousness. He said that the opposition parties are deliberately misleading the public on an issue that concerns the livelihoods of crores of rural workers and farmers. He said the resolution reflected political opportunism rather than concern for rural welfare, as it neither cited any data nor offered a single constructive suggestion. He said that the move was aimed solely at creating confusion and pushing a false narrative around the VB-G RAM-G Act, a flagship rural reform launched under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi to strengthen employment and livelihood security in villages.

MGNREGA became synonymous with corruption under Congress rule, says CM

Citing the 2013 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, the Chief Minister said that during the UPA and Congress regimes, MGNREGA was riddled with fake beneficiaries, manipulated job cards and large-scale financial misappropriation, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

He said the absence of biometric authentication and effective monitoring made it impossible to verify whether registered workers were genuine or whether wages reached the intended beneficiaries. As a result, funds were routinely siphoned off.

The Chief Minister said that during the Congress regime, this scheme gradually lost its developmental purpose and was reduced to activities such as digging and refilling pits, producing artificial ‘man-days’ instead of durable assets. It became a tool for fund diversion rather than a mechanism for nation-building, he remarked.

Punjab example exposes scale of misuse and non-payment of wages- CM

Referring to Punjab, the Chief Minister said that during a visit by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan workers complained that they were being denied their rightful wages while contractors were appropriating the funds.

He said a social audit conducted in 5,915 out of 13,304-gram panchayats in Punjab revealed 10,663 cases of financial irregularities, including illegal withdrawals in the name of road and canal cleaning. Despite these findings and intervention by central teams, no recovery was made and no action was taken against those responsible. Public money meant for labourers continued to be diverted, while genuine workers were left unpaid, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

AAP opposing reforms to shield corruption, says CM

The Chief Minister said it was deeply ironic that the AAP government in Punjab was opposing reforms to rural employment and passing resolutions against the new law. This opposition exposes their intent to protect corruption and also reflects their indifference towards the hardworking labourers of Punjab, he said.

Haryana pays highest rural wages in India- CM

Highlighting Haryana’s wage structure, the Chief Minister said the state pays a minimum daily wage of Rs. 400, enabling rural labourers to earn at least Rs. 50,000 annually. By comparison, he shared, the minimum daily wage is Rs. 339 in Punjab and Rs. 236 in Himachal Pradesh, clearly demonstrating Haryana’s commitment to worker welfare.

Haryana’s record proves intent: three times more payments than Congress era-CM

The Chief Minister said that between October 2014 and October 2025, Haryana disbursed Rs. 5,243 crore to rural workers, compared to Rs..1,854 crore during 10 years of Congress rule. This clearly shows that more people were given work and higher payments under our government, he said, adding that Rs. 1,000 crores has been provided in the current financial year’s budget as well.

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Haryana Establishes High-Level Committee to Fast-Track Development Projects and Ensure Timely Execution

Chandigarh, January 5 — In a significant administrative initiative aimed at expediting development works and eliminating execution delays, the Haryana Government has constituted a high-level monitoring committee to closely oversee the progress of development projects across the state. The committee will conduct fortnightly reviews, while comprehensive assessments will also be undertaken at the Chief Minister's level, preferably once every two months.

According to an order issued by the Chief Secretary Mr Anurag Rastogi, the move reflects the state government's renewed commitment to strengthening efficiency, accountability, and timely delivery of public infrastructure projects.

The committee comprises Dr. Saket Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister; Sh. Narender Pal Malik, Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister; and Sh. Karan Ahlawadi, Senior Consultant to the Chief Minister. Sh. Rajeev Batish, Chief Engineer (Public Health) and Incharge, will provide technical assistance during the review process, particularly on matters related to the HEWP Portal.

The committee has been entrusted with a wide-ranging mandate covering critical stages of project execution. Its responsibilities include monitoring timelines from administrative approval to award of work, examining delays in architectural approvals, and assessing the time required between project award and commencement, including permissions needed from other departments.

The panel will also review the timely completion of projects, identify reasons behind delays and cost escalation, assess revised timelines following fresh administrative approvals, ensure completion within prescribed or revised schedules, and monitor the maintenance of assets created.

In addition to conducting regular reviews, the committee will submit monthly progress reports to the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, ensuring sustained oversight and enabling corrective action at the highest administrative level.

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Haryana Emerging as Leading Inland Fisheries State; Producing 2.04 Lakh Tonnes of Fish: Shyam Singh Rana


Chandigarh, January 5 - Haryana Fisheries Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana highlighted the rapid growth of inland fisheries in the state, stating that Haryana has emerged as one of the country’s leading fish-producing landlocked states, with a total production of 2.04 lakh metric tonnes of fish from 23,850 hectares of water area.

Addressing a national-level fisheries conference at Hyderabad, Rana said that Haryana has produced 166 crore fish seeds, reflecting the strengthening of the state’s fisheries infrastructure and scientific practices. He pointed out that among landlocked states, Punjab ranks first in fish production, while Haryana stands second, despite having no coastline.

The minister stressed that landlocked states like Haryana contribute significantly to India’s fisheries output through pond-based and inland water aquaculture, but receive less financial assistance compared to coastal states, which directly impacts fish farmers and state GDP.

Rana informed the gathering that Haryana has been actively promoting fisheries as an alternative livelihood, with many farmers shifting from traditional agriculture to fish farming due to better returns. He added that fish farming has also helped address the problem of crop residue management, particularly stubble burning, by providing farmers with an additional income source.

To strengthen seed quality, Rana said Haryana has ensured fish seed banks at block level across all districts. He added that genetically improved fish varieties were procured from CIFA, Bhubaneswar, enabling the state to produce high-quality brood stock and improve overall productivity. He urged the Centre to issue national guidelines and schemes for fish seed management to ensure uniform availability of quality seed across states.

Highlighting infrastructure development, the minister said that fish farmers and entrepreneurs have been provided dedicated space at the India International Horticulture Market, Gannaur (Sonipat), on the lines of Delhi’s Ghazipur and Azadpur mandis.

Rana also placed several proposals before the Union government, including the establishment of modern wholesale fish markets in Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Yamunanagar and Panchkula at an estimated cost of ₹300 crore and Setting up of a fish processing unit in Karnal and a shrimp processing plant in Sirsa with an investment of around ₹200 crore. The minister also informed that Haryana also envisions to create a World Class Aquarium House in Panchkula with an estimated investment of ₹1,000 crore.

The minister further revealed that five acres of land have been transferred in village Sultanpur, Gurugram, for setting up a regional centre of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), which will benefit Haryana and neighbouring states.

Seeking greater policy support, Rana urged the Union Fisheries Ministry to give special focus to landlocked states in the 2026–27 financial year and to consider holding a special national conference in Haryana to address their specific challenges.

He also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini for providing enhanced budgetary support to fisheries in Haryana, and thanked Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh for his continued cooperation.

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Special focus on strengthening health infrastructure in the upcoming state budget: Arti Singh Rao

Says, no area should remain deprived of health services

Chairs a high-level meeting of officials to review budget preparations

Chandigarh, January 5 – Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao has directed officials to ensure that special emphasis is laid on strengthening the state’s healthcare infrastructure in the upcoming general budget. She said that, based on GIS mapping, it must be ensured that no region of the state remains deprived of health institutions and that all citizens receive equitable and quality healthcare services.

The Health Minister was chairing a high-level meeting of officials in Chandigarh today to review budget preparations related to the Ayush and Medical Education Departments. Detailed discussions were held during the meeting on the current status of health services in the state, existing requirements, and future plans.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Director General of Ayush Sh. Sanjeev Verma, Mission Director of National Health Mission Haryana Sh. Rippudaman Singh Dhillon, Director of Medical Education and Research Sh. Yashender Singh, Director General of Health Services Dr. Manish Bansal, Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Dr. Virender Yadav, and other senior officials.

On the occasion, Health Minister Arti Singh Rao informed that the state government has accorded in-principle approval to upgrade the Sub-Health Centre located in village Tain of Nuh district into a Primary Health Centre (PHC). Along with this, expenditure of approximately ₹36 lakh has also been approved for the appointment of required staff at this health centre, which will enable people of the area to receive better and timely medical services.

Similarly, approval has been granted for opening a new Primary Health Centre in village Khatodra of Mahendragarh district. This will ensure availability of primary healthcare facilities closer to the people of the surrounding rural areas.

The Health Minister directed officials to ensure advance budgetary provisions for starting new health services wherever required in the state. She said that strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in remote and backward areas remains a priority of the government.

She reiterated that the Haryana Government is fully committed to the health of the common people and that every possible step will be taken to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services across the state.

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Haryana Government Appoints District Officers as Land Acquisition Authorities for Special Railway Projects – FCR, Dr. Sumita Misra

Chandigarh, January 5 - The Haryana Government has appointed District Revenue Officers as Competent Authorities for Land Acquisition (CALA) and Divisional Commissioners as Arbitrators for land acquisition related to Special Railway Projects in the State, in accordance with the Railways Act, 1989, as amended in 2008.

The information was shared by Financial Commissioner Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, here today.

As per the issued instruction, the District Revenue Officer, Ambala, has been appointed as Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA), while the Divisional Commissioner, Ambala, will act as Arbitrator for land acquisition cases in Ambala district. Similarly, District Revenue Officers of Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal and Kurukshetra have been appointed as CALA in their respective districts, with the concerned Divisional Commissioners designated as Arbitrator.

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Haryana Establishes High-Level Committee to Fast-Track Development Projects and Ensure Timely Execution

Chandigarh, January 5 — In a significant administrative initiative aimed at expediting development works and eliminating execution delays, the Haryana Government has constituted a high-level monitoring committee to closely oversee the progress of development projects across the state. The committee will conduct fortnightly reviews, while comprehensive assessments will also be undertaken at the Chief Minister's level, preferably once every two months.

According to an order issued by the Chief Secretary Mr Anurag Rastogi, the move reflects the state government's renewed commitment to strengthening efficiency, accountability, and timely delivery of public infrastructure projects.

The committee comprises Dr. Saket Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister; Sh. Narender Pal Malik, Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister; and Sh. Karan Ahlawadi, Senior Consultant to the Chief Minister. Sh. Rajeev Batish, Chief Engineer (Public Health) and Incharge, will provide technical assistance during the review process, particularly on matters related to the HEWP Portal.

The committee has been entrusted with a wide-ranging mandate covering critical stages of project execution. Its responsibilities include monitoring timelines from administrative approval to award of work, examining delays in architectural approvals, and assessing the time required between project award and commencement, including permissions needed from other departments.

The panel will also review the timely completion of projects, identify reasons behind delays and cost escalation, assess revised timelines following fresh administrative approvals, ensure completion within prescribed or revised schedules, and monitor the maintenance of assets created.

In addition to conducting regular reviews, the committee will submit monthly progress reports to the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, ensuring sustained oversight and enabling corrective action at the highest administrative level.

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Agnipath Scheme Brings New Enthusiasm Among Youth

Haryana Becomes the First State to Provide Employment Security to Agniveers: Rao Narbir Singh

Chandigarh, January 5 — Haryana Sainik and Ardh- Sainik Welfare Minister, Rao Narbir Singh said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Sh Rajnath Singh, the Agnipath Scheme was launched in June 2022 with the objective of strengthening the youthful profile of the Indian Armed Forces and instilling enthusiasm, passion and discipline among the youth for service to the nation. Under this scheme, young people are provided the opportunity to serve as Agniveers for a period of four years.

He informed that the service tenure of the first batch under the Agnipath Scheme will be completed in July 2026. Thereafter, to ensure a bright future for Agniveers, the Haryana Government has formulated the Haryana Agniveer Policy–2024, which will be effectively implemented from August 2026. Through this policy, Agniveers will be provided employment opportunities in government jobs and other sectors. Rao Narbir Singh stated that Haryana has become the first state in the country to provide an employment security cover to Agniveers after their service in the Armed Forces.

The Minister further said that during the year 2022–23, a national-level target of recruiting 26,649 Agniveers was set for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. In this sequence, 1,830 Agniveers were recruited from Haryana in 2022–23 and 2,215 in 2023–24. He said that despite limited representation in terms of population and geography, the spirit of patriotism among Haryana’s youth is particularly evident. The youth here proudly choose the uniform of the Armed Forces over white-collar jobs. This is why every tenth soldier in the country’s Armed Forces hails from Haryana.

Rao Narbir Singh said that the Haryana Government constituted a separate Department of Sainik and Ardh- Sainik Welfare in 2016 for the welfare of ex-servicemen, para-military forces, and their dependents. From October 2014 till date, the state government has provided government jobs on compassionate grounds to the dependents of 418 martyrs.

He informed that during the Seva Pakhwada programmes held from 17 September to 2 October 2025, reunions of ex-servicemen were organized according to various corps and regiments of the Army. In addition, proposals are being prepared in accordance with Haryana Government policy to name schools and other institutions after the martyrs of the 1962, 1965, 1971, and Kargil wars.

During these programmes, ex-servicemen, personnel of para-military forces, and families of martyrs were invited and tree plantation was carried out by them. Rao Narbir Singh said that such events have effectively infused a renewed resolve of patriotism, sacrifice, and service to the nation among the youth of Haryana.

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CM Nayab Singh Saini chairs HPPC and HPWPC Meetings, Savings of nearly Rs 40.62 crore achieved

CM Directs Timely Completion of Approved Projects in HPPC and HPWPC Meetings

CM-led Committees Approve Strengthening of Infrastructure, Healthcare and Power Transmission Network in Haryana

Chandigarh, January 5 - A significant meeting of the High-Powered Purchase Committee (HPPC) and High-Powered Works Purchase Committee (HPWPC) was held today at Haryana Niwas under the chairmanship of Haryana CM Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. During the meetings, detailed deliberations were held on proposals related to major infrastructure and development projects of various state departments, and several important decisions regarding procurement of works and services were taken.

A total of 5 tenders with an estimated cost of around Rs 133.47 crore were considered in the HPPC meeting. Of these, re-tendering was ordered in one project. For the remaining tenders, with an estimated cost of about Rs 123.13 crore, detailed negotiations were conducted with the bidders. After negotiations, the final agreed value of these works was fixed at approximately Rs 105.04 crore. Through this transparent and effective negotiation process, the state government ensured savings of nearly Rs 18.09 crore, reflecting strong financial management and efficient use of public resources.

Similarly, a total of 11 tenders with an estimated cost of around Rs 491.53 crore were considered in the HPWPC meeting. Of these, three tenders were approved to be deferred/re-tendered. For the remaining tenders, with an estimated cost of about Rs 412.19 crore, detailed negotiations were conducted with the bidders. After negotiations, the final agreed value of these works was fixed at approximately Rs 389.66 crore, ensuring savings of nearly Rs 22.53 crore. Thus, total savings of nearly Rs 40.62 crore were achieved in both the meetings.

Energy Minister Sh. Anil Vij, Education Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Kumar Sharma, Public Works Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa and Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Smt. Shruti Choudhry were present during the meeting.

The Committee approved the proposal for the supply and installation of online UPS systems and battery banks under the buyback of old UPS and batteries for State, District and Block Network Management Centres under the Haryana State Wide Area Network (HSWAN) Augmentation Project, aimed at enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the state’s digital and network infrastructure.

Further, the Committee also cleared the proposal of the Public Health Engineering Department for arranging an annual rate contract for the supply of ISI-marked Sodium Hypochlorite Solution, which is a critical chemical used for water disinfection.

Other key decisions included the creation and construction of 220 KV, 132 KV, and 66 KV transmission lines across the Ambala, Hisar, Bhiwani, Faridabad, Palwal, Rewari, Rohtak, and Panchkula regions.

In a major move for the Nuh district, the committee approved the construction of a new 100-bedded District Hospital on the old CHC campus, ensuring better healthcare access for the local population.

The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure completion of all approved projects with complete transparency and high quality, within the prescribed timelines.