Chandigarh, August 15: Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij, extending greetings to the people of the state on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, said that more than 1.4 billion Indians have established India as the world’s largest and strongest democracy through unity in diversity, democratic values and unwavering faith in the Constitution. He said this is a major achievement of the country’s eight-decade-long democratic journey. He added that the Haryana Government is continuously working to empower the four key pillars of Developed India identified by the Prime Minister—youth, farmers, women and the poor.

Sh.Vij hoisted the national flag and took the salute at the district-level Independence Day program in Ambala. He extended Independence Day greetings to the people of Haryana and Ambala and also conveyed his best wishes to mothers, sisters and daughters on Hariyali Teej. He announced a holiday on Monday for the students who were scheduled to perform at the district-level programme and also announced a grant of ₹10 lakh to the district administration for the successful organisation of the event.
Earlier, Sh. Vij paid floral tribute to the martyrs at the Shaheed Memorial in the Police Lines complex. He honoured war widows, families of freedom fighters, and distinguished individuals who participated in the Emergency and Hindi Movement. He paid homage to known and unknown freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India’s independence, as well as brave soldiers who attained martyrdom while defending the country’s borders.

He said the government has accorded the highest priority to the honour and welfare of martyrs’ families. Over the past approximately 12 years, around 425 dependents of martyrs have been provided government jobs on compassionate grounds.

1857 Revolution and Shaheedi Memorial

Sh. Vij said Haryana is a land of valour, sacrifice and patriotism. He said the spark of the freedom movement that emerged from Ambala on May 10, 1857, ignited the spirit of independence across the country. To preserve this glorious history for future generations, the construction of a grand Shaheedi Memorial in Ambala Cantonment is in its final stage. The memorial will serve as a permanent symbol of the sacrifice, struggle and patriotism of the brave freedom fighters.

Developed Haryana Alongside Developed India

Sh. Vij said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, India is progressing rapidly towards self-reliance, innovation and economic growth. The government’s objective is to ensure development that reaches the last person in society. With this vision, the commitment to “Developed Haryana along with Developed India” is being taken forward.

He said Haryana’s Gross State Domestic Product is estimated to reach approximately ₹15.18 lakh crore in 2026-27, representing growth of around 11 per cent over the previous year. The business environment for industries has been made simpler and more transparent, with processes for certificates, licences and approvals streamlined. The 2026-27 Budget places special emphasis on the revival of industrial areas and employment generation. The recently approved MSME Policy is expected to strengthen small industries and create employment opportunities at the local level.

He said that on July 17, 2026, India’s first hydrogen train was flagged off from Jind Railway Station on the Jind-Sonipat route. Developed using indigenous technology, the train represents an important step towards demonstrating India’s technological capabilities and promoting clean and sustainable transportation.

Poor, Farmers, Women and Youth Are Government’s Priorities

Sh. Vij said the Haryana Government is continuously working to empower the four major pillars of Developed India—youth, farmers, women and the poor. As part of social justice measures, the income limit for the creamy layer among backward classes has been increased from ₹6 lakh to ₹8 lakh, while reservation has been provided to Backward Class-B in Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies. Under the Mukhyamantri Vivah Shagun Yojana, financial assistance of up to ₹71,000 is being provided for the marriage of daughters from poor families. Under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana, efforts are also being made to provide housing to poor families.
In the health sector, eligible families are receiving free treatment up to ₹5 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat-Chirayu scheme. Free dialysis facilities are available for kidney patients in government hospitals and medical colleges. Low-income patients suffering from Stage III and Stage IV cancer are being provided financial assistance of ₹3,000 per month. Over the past 12 years, one medical university and 12 medical colleges have been established in the state. The number of MBBS seats has increased by 2,260, while 788 additional postgraduate seats have been added.
For farmers, Haryana has become the first state in the country to arrange procurement of 24 crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP). These include wheat, mustard, sunflower, lentil, paddy, sorghum, millet, sugarcane, cotton and gram, among others. The Abiana system has been abolished, and steps have been taken to grant ownership rights to tenants occupying Shamlat land for 20 years.
For women’s empowerment, ₹2,100 per month is being provided under the Lado Lakshmi Yojana. Women from poor families are being provided cooking gas cylinders at ₹500. The government’s objective is to make women not merely beneficiaries but active participants in the development process.

Youth, Drug De-addiction and Sports

Sh. Vij said that today’s youth will lead the construction of a Developed India by 2047. This year’s Independence Day theme, “Youth Power—Leading the Journey of Developed India 2047,” highlights the important role of young people. He also noted that the completion of 150 years of Vande Mataram is a matter of pride for the nation. Describing drug abuse as a serious threat to the youth and the future of society, he said “Drug-Free Youth, Healthy Families and Developed Haryana” is the government’s resolve. Under the nationwide drug de-addiction campaign, young people took a pledge at more than 28,000 locations across the country. In Haryana, more than 3,200 students, teachers and young people took the pledge for a drug-free India at a state-level programme at Kurukshetra University. Public awareness campaigns are also being conducted through programmes such as Raahgiri and Youth Marathons.

Highlighting Haryana’s contribution to sports, he said the Indian contingent won 39 medals at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, with Haryana athletes making a significant contribution. Athletes from Haryana won 10 medals, including 7 gold medals, while the state’s daughters won five gold medals.

Transparent and People-Centric Governance

Sh. Vij said the government is committed to transparent, accountable and people-centric governance. Government services are being delivered to citizens at their doorstep through technology and online platforms. Along with providing jobs to youth on the basis of merit, the government is also focusing on skill development and training. He said that “The government belongs to the people, governance is for the people, and development can be achieved only through people’s participation.”
He said that by 2047, when India celebrates the centenary of its independence, the responsibility of building a developed India and a developed Haryana rests with everyone. The vision is to build a Haryana where farmers are prosperous, young people become not only job seekers but also job creators, daughters are safe and self-reliant, industries receive opportunities, poor families live with dignity, villages and cities develop equally, environmental protection remains a priority, and public confidence in transparent governance continues to grow.

Independence Day Celebrated with Great Enthusiasm Despite Rain

Transport Minister Anil Vij hoisted the national flag and took the salute at the parade amid heavy rainfall. On the occasion, he said that despite the heavy rain, the 80th Independence Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and dignity. Cultural programmes were scheduled as part of the district-level program, but could not be held due to the rain. He said the students had worked very hard and that these programmes would be organised and presented at another event. He announced a holiday on Monday for all students who were scheduled to perform at the district-level programme. He also announced a grant of ₹10 lakh to the district administration for the successful organisation of the district-level Independence Day program.

District Police Contingent Secures First Place; GRP Ambala-1 Second and Home Guards Third

At the district-level Independence Day program, the District Police contingent secured first place, the Government Railway Police (GRP) Ambala-1 contingent stood second, and the Home Guards contingent secured third place. Similarly, the Scouts and Guides contingent secured first place, Haryana Battalion-1 came second, and NCC Haryana Battalion-2 secured third place.

Energy Minister Honours Officers, Employees, Journalists and Others for Outstanding Work

Haryana Transport, Energy and Labour Minister Anil Vij honoured administrative officers, police personnel, students and sportspersons who had excelled in sports and education, as well as individuals who had performed commendably in various other fields, by presenting them with certificates of appreciation at the district-level Independence Day program.
Those honoured included Gulshan Kumar, Stenographer; Sushila Kapoor; Yudhveer Singh; Sub-Inspector Ramesh Kumar; Sub-Inspector Narendra Kumar; Sub-Inspector Pradeep Kumar; Sub-Inspector Ravinder Kumar; Home Guard Mange Ram; Inspector Dharamveer; Anhad Kaur Antal; Vrinda; Komal Rani; Vikas Kumar; Kridha Gupta; Surinder Kumar, Clerk; PGT Vandana Rani; social worker Kiran Chhibber; Medical Officer Dr Amit Sharma; JBT teacher Shiv Kumar; Dr Cheshta Kashyap; Executive Engineer Ritesh Aggarwal; Executive Engineer Harbhajan Singh; Executive Engineer Devender Narwal; Executive Engineer Vikas Kumar; PMO Dr Pooja Paintal; social worker Jaswant Jain; Advocate Ajay Aggarwal; Bureau Chief Pawan Passi; journalists Devdatta Sharma, Tarun Kapoor, Ratan Singh Dhillon, D.N. Diwakar, Anil Dutta, Manjit Kaur, Parul Garg, Jaskaran Singh, Jitender Aggarwal, Niliki Sobti and Rahul; Editor Harender Gulati; and journalist Deepak Behal.
Other dignitaries present on the occasion included former minister Aseem Goel Nannayola, Mayor Akshita Saini, Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta, Superintendent of Police Ajit Singh Sekhawat, BJP District President Mandeep Rana, Assembly Convenor Ritesh Goyal, SDM Darshan Kumar, City Magistrate Abhishek Garg, CEO of the Shivalik Board Pooja Kumari, Haryana Information Commission member Neeta Khera, State Spokesperson and Media Head Dr Sanjay Sharma, National President of Anti-Terrorist Front India Viresh Shandilya, former District President Jagmohan Lal Kumar, Anubhav Aggarwal, RTA Sushil Kumar, DIPRO Dharmendra Kumar, DDPO Dinesh Sharma, Municipal Council EO Devender Narwal, GM Roadways Ashwani Dogra, Civil Surgeon Dr Renu Beri, PMO Pooja Paintal, Executive Engineers Ritesh Aggarwal, Karnveer and Harbhajan Singh, Secretary of the District Sainik Board Colonel Sheoran, Advocate Sandeep Sachdeva, District Sports Officer Ram Swaroop, and BJP office-bearers Yatin Bansal, Vishal Rana, Gurvinder Singh Mankapur, Sanjeev Mishra, Beenu Garg, Harpal Singh Kamboj, Navinder Singh and Satish Sakya.