*Advocacy is not just a profession but a powerful medium of public service – Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini*

*In the digital era, lawyers should adopt new technologies to strengthen the justice delivery system – Chief Minister*

*Haryana Government providing all possible support to lawyers and the judiciary*

*Haryana leading the country in implementing new criminal laws – Chief Minister*

Chandigarh, March 15 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that advocacy is not merely a means of livelihood, but a powerful responsibility towards justice, humanity, and public service. He stated that lawyers are important pillars of the democratic judicial system, who not only play a crucial role in ensuring justice for the weak, deprived, and needy sections of society, but also contribute significantly to social change, the establishment of moral values, and nation-building.

The Chief Minister was addressing a delegation of lawyers from Chandigarh and Punjab on Sunday at his residence Sant Kabir Kutir.

The Chief Minister said that the field of law is not limited to legal knowledge alone, but is also a medium for ensuring justice, equality, and protection of rights in society. Calling upon young lawyers, he urged them to dedicate their energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm to the welfare of society and not restrict their profession merely to personal success, but use it as a means of serving the nation. He said that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has also inspired young lawyers to devote their energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm to the betterment of society.

The Chief Minister said that whenever he is among lawyers, he feels that he is among the protectors of humanity. He added that it is a matter of great pride that India’s 53rd Chief Justice, Justice Surya Kant, belongs to Haryana. He has reached the pinnacle of the judiciary from the soil of Haryana. This Bar Council has produced several judges of the Supreme Court, Union Law and Railways Ministers, Advocates General of Punjab and Haryana, Additional Solicitors General, the Member of Parliament from Chandigarh, and Mayors.

He said that the Bar Council has a large number of lawyers from Haryana, Punjab, and Chandigarh, and the organization also encourages new lawyers and provides assistance to students studying law.

He further said that in today’s digital era, rapid changes are taking place in the field of law as well, and new technologies are opening new opportunities for lawyers. The Chief Minister urged lawyers to adopt these technologies and actively contribute towards making the justice delivery process faster, more transparent, and more effective. He said that lawyers must always uphold their moral values. Their advocacy should not only reflect their competence but also their character, ethical commitment, and dedication to justice.

He said that the rule of law is the foundation of any democratic nation. Our judiciary works to ensure peace, equality, and justice in society. Coordination, transparency, and ethics between lawyers and the judiciary are essential. He added that the Haryana Government is making every possible effort to support lawyers and the judiciary. Modern facilities, technological resources, and training programmes are being ensured for lawyers so that their work can be carried out more effectively.

He said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, three criminal laws that had been in force since the British era have been changed. Haryana is a leading state in the country that has successfully implemented all three new laws within such a short time.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister’s OSD Sh. B.B. Bharti, advocates Ranjan Lohan, Pratibha Bhandari, Sunil Sharma, N.K. Verma, Vivek Soni, Gopal Sharma, Mukesh Garg, and a large number of advocates from Punjab and Chandigarh were present.

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2,157 Panchayats in Haryana Declared TB-Free in 2025, Up From 574 in 2023

35 % of Panchayats of Haryana declared TB Mukt Panchayat under TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Ambala leads with 191 Eligible Panchayats

Chandigarh, March 15 - Haryana has made significant strides under the TB Mukt Panchayat initiative with 2,157 gram panchayats accounting for 35 per cent of the state's total 6,237 panchayats found eligible for TB-free certification in 2025 after verification. This was stated by Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr. Sumita Misra here today.

The TB Mukt Panchayat initiative was launched by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi on World TB Day on March 24, 2023 at Varanasi. The objective of the initiative is to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions to understand the extent and magnitude of problems associated with tuberculosis, take necessary actions toward solving them and create healthy competition among panchayats while appreciating their contribution toward TB elimination.

From 574 to 2,157 — A Fourfold Rise in Three Years

Dr. Misra said the growth in TB-free panchayat certifications under TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, over the past three years reflects the increasing momentum of the programme at the grassroots level. In 2023, the state secured 574 certifications all in the Bronze category accounting for just nine per cent of total panchayats. By 2024, this figure nearly tripled to 1,855 panchayats, comprising 1,542 Bronze and 313 Silver certifications, covering 30 per cent of the state's panchayats. In 2025, the tally has risen further to 2,157 eligible panchayats covering 35 per cent of the total.

Dr. Misra explained that the initiative follows a three-tier certification structure. Panchayats maintaining TB-free status for the first year are eligible for Bronze certification, those maintaining it for two consecutive years receive Silver certification and those sustaining it for three consecutive years are awarded Gold certification. Certificates are issued annually on World TB Day March 24 by the under Deputy Commissioner, with one-year validity. Six indicators are used for submission and verification of claims, which are validated by the District Development and Panchayati Raj Officer, Civil Surgeon and Deputy Civil Surgeon TB before a panchayat can be declared TB-free.

Of the 2,157 panchayats found eligible in 2025, 211 have qualified for Gold status, 646 for Silver status and 1,300 for Bronze status. The district-wise figures as presented by Dr. Misra are as follows.

Ambala, with 400 total panchayats, has 191 eligible — comprising 9 Gold, 79 Silver and 103 Bronze. Bhiwani, with 312 total panchayats, has 165 eligible — 34 Gold, 59 Silver and 72 Bronze. Charkhi Dadri, with 167 total panchayats, has 27 eligible — 10 Silver and 17 Bronze. Faridabad, with 100 Panchayats has TB free 46 — comprising 8 Gold, 17 Silver and 21 Bronze.

Fatehabad, with 259 total panchayats, has 116 eligible — 18 Gold, 40 Silver and 58 Bronze. Gurugram, with 158 total panchayats, has 96 eligible — 1 Gold, 24 Silver and 71 Bronze. Hisar, with 325 total panchayats, has 99 eligible — 12 Gold, 27 Silver and 60 Bronze. Jhajjar, with 250 total panchayats, has 67 eligible — 14 Gold, 13 Silver and 40 Bronze.

Jind, with 300 total panchayats, has 65 eligible — 6 Gold, 21 Silver and 38 Bronze. Kaithal, with 277 total panchayats, has 106 eligible — 13 Gold, 36 Silver and 57 Bronze. Karnal, with 385 total panchayats, has 113 eligible — 13 Gold, 30 Silver and 70 Bronze. Kurukshetra, with 407 total panchayats, has 145 eligible — 23 Gold, 26 Silver and 96 Bronze.

Mahendragarh, with 343 total panchayats, has 106 eligible — 4 Gold, 50 Silver and 52 Bronze. Nuh — Mewat — with 325 total panchayats, has 98 eligible — 4 Gold, 32 Silver and 62 Bronze. Palwal, with 265 total panchayats, has 110 eligible — 7 Silver and 103 Bronze. Panchkula, with 133 Panchayats 105 are eligible — comprising 24 Gold, 57 Silver and 24 Bronze.

Panipat, with 178 total panchayats, has 56 eligible — 6 Gold, 10 Silver and 40 Bronze. Rewari, with 365 total panchayats, has 131 eligible — 5 Gold, 22 Silver and 104 Bronze. Rohtak, with 142 total panchayats, has eligible 25 — 3 Gold, 11 Silver and 11 Bronze. Sirsa, with 339 total panchayats, has 119 eligible — 4 Gold, 26 Silver and 89 Bronze.

Sonipat, with 317 total panchayats, has 81 eligible — 4 Gold, 7 Silver and 70 Bronze. Yamunanagar, with 490 total panchayats — has 90 eligible — 6 Gold, 42 Silver and 42 Bronze.

Dr. Misra emphasised that the eligibility of panchayats is verified and validated through a structured three-tier mechanism involving the District Development and Panchayati Raj Officer, the Civil Surgeon and the Deputy Civil Surgeon TB of the another district. This verification process ensures that only those panchayats that genuinely meet all six prescribed indicators (as per Government of India) are certified as TB-free, lending credibility and integrity to the programme.

She added that Haryana remains committed to accelerating progress under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and that the consistent year-on-year growth in TB-free panchayat certifications reflects the active participation of local governance institutions in the state's TB elimination efforts.

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Haryana Youth Shine in Regional Skill Competition, Win 33 Medals and brings pride to the State

8 Gold, 13 Silver and 12 Bronze medals won in the competition held in Agra

Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, appreciates the excellent performance of Haryana participants

Chandigarh, March 15 – Talented youth of Haryana once again showcased their excellence and skills by delivering an outstanding performance in the Regional Skill Competition held in Agra. Participants from the state won a total of 33 medals, including 8 gold, 13 silver and 12 bronze medals.

On the occasion of the closing ceremony, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Sh.Jayant Chaudhary, appreciated the excellent performance of the participants from Haryana and congratulated all the winners. He also encouraged the participants to continue delivering such outstanding performances in future competitions.

Congratulating the winners for their excellent performance, Haryana Minister for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Sh. Gaurav Gautam, said that the youth of Haryana have enhanced the pride of the state through their remarkable achievement. He said the Central Government is continuously taking concrete steps to empower and make youth self-reliant. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, several initiatives are being taken across the country to promote skill development and connect youth with new technologies.

He said that under the leadership of Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the state government is also committed to making youth technically capable. In this direction, skill universities have been established in the state and modern, employment-oriented technical courses are being run in various technical institutes so that youth can sharpen their skills according to the changing needs of time and secure better employment opportunities.

He also extended his best wishes to the participants for upcoming national and international competitions. In this competition, youth from the state participated in 49 skills out of a total of 63 and won medals in 33 skills, presenting an excellent example of their technical expertise, dedication and hard work. This achievement has proved that the youth of Haryana are rapidly establishing their identity even in modern and emerging skill sectors.

He said that participants from different states of the region showcased their expertise in various trades and emerging skill sectors in the competition. The outstanding performance of Haryana participants reflects the strong skill development ecosystem of the state and the continuous efforts being made to provide world-class training to youth. He informed that the winners of the Regional Skill Competition will now participate in the prestigious India Skills Competition, where the best participants from across the country will demonstrate their skills. Those who perform exceptionally at the national level will further represent India at the international stage in the World Skills Competition and showcase their talent globally.

He said that to encourage youth, the Haryana Government has also announced incentive amounts for participants who perform exceptionally. Under this, participants who win medals at the national level will receive a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh, while those who win medals at the international level will be awarded Rs. 10 lakh. This initiative will further encourage youth to participate in skill competitions.

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LPG and Oil an International Issue; opposition should not mislead people: Manohar Lal

Union Minister Manohar Lal interacts with Public in Karnal and resolved their problems

Chandigarh, March 15 – Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs, Sh. Manohar Lal, during his visit to Karnal interacted with the general public and resolved their problems.

Union Minister Sh. Manohar Lal said that leaders of the opposition parties should understand that the issue related to LPG and oil is an international matter. Despite this, the Government of India has ensured that people of the country do not face any problem. At such a time, opposition parties should not make it a political issue. The opposition is merely misleading the public by raising baseless claims regarding a gas shortage. Gas agencies in the country and the state have adequate stock of LPG, and oil and LPG are also arriving in sufficient quantities from abroad, he added.

He said that India is a peace-loving country and lives with mutual love and harmony with everyone. He said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, the country has been continuously moving forward on the path of progress and the respect of the country has increased across the world.

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PMDA organises grand ‘Vasant Utsav-2026’ for the first time on the lines of International Surajkund Mela

Cactus Garden gets a new look due to the efforts of PMDA, CEO K. M Pandurang

Lakhs of people participates in the three-Day event; Art, Culture and Nature Lovers enjoyed the Utsav

Chandigarh, March 15 – The city of Panchkula, located in the foothills of the Shivalik mountain range, holds special importance in many ways. The three-day ‘Vasant Utsav’ organised for the first time by the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) has given the city a new identity. In line with the vision of Chief Executive Officer(CEO), PMDA, Sh. K. Makrand Pandurang, this three-day ‘Vasant Utsav’ was organised for the first time after 37 years on the lines of the International Surajkund Mela. A huge crowd of school children, theatre artists, and nature lovers from the tricity gathered at the event, making it a remarkable sight.

On the first day of the Utsav, March 13, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the event. On this occasion, the Cactus Garden, which had remained closed for nearly a year for maintenance, was reopened for the public due to the efforts of PMDA. In his address, the Chief Minister said that PMDA is continuously working to make Panchkula city more beautiful and attractive. Notably, since the formation of PMDA and after Sh. K. Makrand Pandurang assumed charge as Chief Executive Officer, renovation work of roads and parks in the city has been progressing continuously.

Organised on the occasion of the spring season, which symbolizes joy, renewal and enthusiasm, the three-day Utsav was significant in many ways. For the first time, food stalls, handicraft stalls and stalls displaying products made by self-help groups were set up for visitors on the lines of the International Surajkund Mela. People not only viewed the products at these stalls but also made enthusiastic purchases. From the famous jalebi of Matu Ram Halwai of Gohana to South Indian dishes, visitors enjoyed a wide variety of food items.

The vision of Chief Executive Officer, PMDA, Sh. K. Makrand Pandurang is to include the 8-acre Cactus Garden of Panchkula among the best cactus gardens in the world. With this objective, extensive renovation work has been carried out in the garden over the past one year, under which about 300 new species of cactus have been added. The curator of the Cactus Garden, Major General C.S. Bewli (Retd.), said that Sh. Makrand Pandurang has been making special efforts from the very first day to give a new look to the garden. More than 50 large cactus plants have also been brought here from Pune (Maharashtra). After the reopening of the garden, a large number of visitors are reaching there to see its new look.

With the organisation of the ‘Vasant Utsav’, the Sector-5 Town Park, one of the largest parks in Panchkula, also remained a centre of attraction for visitors. Every day thousands of people come here for morning and evening walks, and regular visitors also appreciated the Utsav.

In the coming years, Panchkula’s Vasant Utsav is expected to become even more grand. During the Utsav, around 2,250 entries of cut flowers and potted plants were received in categories such as ‘Best Garden in City Panchkula’, ‘Best School Garden’, and institutional and private categories.

During the Utsav, renowned folk singers Gajendra Phogat, Amit Saini Rohtakiya and Naveen Poonia, along with Punjabi singer Tarsem Singh Jassar and Sufi singer Kanwar Grewal, mesmerised the audience with their performances. The district administration and Municipal Corporation Panchkula also played an important role in the successful organisation of the event.

The Vasant Utsav provided an excellent platform not only for artists but also for youth and children to showcase their talent. Various competitions such as Rangoli competition, painting competition, face painting, textile cartography, tattoo painting, environment quiz, mehendi competition, mime acting, humorous poetry symposium, fancy dress competition, duet dance competition, baby show, fashion show, pot painting, best out of waste, selfie competition, solo singing and folk dance competitions were organised during the festival, and the winners were honoured with prizes.

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The State Election Commission, Haryana had set up a pavilion for voter awareness at Yavanika Park Sector- 5, Panchkula during the ‘Vasant Utsav’

Chandigarh, March 15- The State Election Commission, Haryana had set up a pavilion for voter awareness at Yavanika Park Sector- 5, Panchkula during the ‘Vasant Utsav’ which remained open for the public from March 13 to 15, 2026. This initiative was taken by the State Election Commission, Haryana, Panchkula to make people aware of the functioning of the Commission and to directly connect with the people at grass root level.

Sharing information in this regard a spokesperson of the Commission said that the purpose of this camp was to make people aware about their voting rights and encourage them to vote in every election. The Commission hopes that this initiative would help to increase the voting percentage in the local bodies’ elections.

The spokesperson said that the Commission received energetic responses from people of various age groups for this initiative. On March 13, the Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini who had come for the inauguration of Utsav also visited the pavilion and appreciated the initiative of the Commission.

The spokesperson said that the Commission had also organised quiz competitions relating to the local bodies elections and distributed prizes to the winners. The dummy EVM was also placed for demonstration to make the people aware about the functioning of EVMs. State Election Commissioner, Sh. Devinder Singh Kalyan also participated and interacted with the people.

During the event several people visited the pavilion of the Commission and got useful information about the conduct of local bodies’ elections.