Punjab Arhtiyas on Strike, Delegation Meets Haryana CM Over Ongoing Crisis

Chandigarh, April 2 - A delegation of the Punjab Arhtiya (commission agents) Association met Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini at his Sant Kabir Kutir residence in Chandigarh. During the meeting, various issues concerning arhtiyas in Punjab were discussed in detail.

The delegation informed the Chief Minister that around 40,000 arhtiyas, nearly 1.25 lakh accountants (munims), and 6–7 lakh workers are associated with this system in Punjab. Due to the difficulties currently being faced by arhtiyas, a strike is underway in the state, affecting not only business activities but also the livelihoods of lakhs of families. Although talks were held with the government, no resolution has been reached. During this crop procurement season, not only arhtiyas but also labourers and farmers are facing hardships.

Expressing serious concern over the issue, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said he has visited Punjab several times and observed that every section—farmers, traders, and labourers—is distressed. He stated that the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab is not taking effective steps to resolve these problems. He added that the policies of the current government have weakened Punjab’s economic condition and pushed the state towards financial distress.

Targeting the Punjab government, he said there is still time for the people of Punjab to take corrective steps. He asserted that only the BJP can provide a government that works for the welfare of farmers, arhtiyas, and traders.

Citing Haryana as an example, the Chief Minister said that procurement of 24 crops is being carried out at Minimum Support Price (MSP) in the state, directly benefiting farmers. He also mentioned that commissions for arhtiyas have been increased from time to time to ensure that both their income and dignity are protected.

The Chief Minister said that arhtiyas in Haryana are paid a commission of Rs. 55 per quintal on wheat, i.e Rs. 9 more than the rate in Punjab.

The association representatives stated that they have been struggling with these issues for a long time and need a government that listens to them and provides concrete solutions. They presented their demands to the Chief Minister and expressed hope for positive action.

The delegation was led by Arhtiya Punjab Federation President Vijay Kalra, Senior Vice President Amarjeet Singh Brar, Vice President Devi Dayal, Patiala Arhtiya Association President Mulk Raj Gupta, and Moga President Samir Jain. They thanked the Chief Minister for his warm hospitality and the assurances given.

Punjab BJP (Organisation) General Secretary Manthri Srinivasulu, OSDs to the Chief Minister, Dr. Prabhleen and Sh. B.B. Bharti were also present in the meeting.

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Haryana Orders Immediate Cleaning of Water Storage Tanks in Medical Institutions, Strict Compliance Mandated — Dr. Sumita Misra

Chandigarh, April 2 - The Haryana Government has issued strict directions for the immediate inspection and cleaning of all water storage tanks across government medical institutions, universities, and health facilities in the state. The instructions have been issued by Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Ayush, Medical Education and Research, Dr. Sumita Misra, stressing zero tolerance for lapses in ensuring safe water supply.

Dr. Misra noted that it has been observed from time to time that water storage tanks in several institutions are not being cleaned regularly, posing serious health risks. She emphasized that maintaining safe, hygienic water for patients, staff, and visitors is critical and cannot be compromised.

All institutions have been directed to undertake an immediate and thorough inspection of both overhead and underground water storage tanks. The inspection must assess the current condition of tanks, including any signs of contamination, leakage, or structural damage, to prevent potential hazards.

The directions mandate complete cleaning of all tanks, including removal of accumulated sludge, proper washing of internal surfaces, and disinfection as per prescribed safety and hygiene standards. Institutions have been instructed to ensure that the entire process is carried out using approved methods.

To prevent recurrence of negligence, Dr. Misra has directed institutions to establish a structured schedule for periodic inspection and cleaning of water tanks, preferably on a quarterly basis. This is aimed at ensuring sustained water quality and hygiene standards.

All concerned authorities have been asked to ensure strict compliance with these directions and submit a compliance report by April 5, 2026. Additionally, Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to oversee implementation through the Public Health Engineering Department and submit monitoring reports within seven days.

Dr. Misra reiterated that access to clean and safe water is a fundamental component of healthcare delivery. She directed all officers to treat the matter with utmost priority and ensure that no lapse occurs in maintaining hygiene standards in healthcare institutions across Haryana.

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Haryana records 22 percent growth in gross SGST revenues in FY 2025-26 - Highest among the States

Chandigarh, April 2- Haryana has secured first position among all the States in the country based on the growth rate of gross State GST(post-settlement) revenues in the financial year 2025-26, with a growth rate of 22 percent over the last Financial Year. The average national growth in SGST revenues has been 6 percent in FY 2025-26. This remarkable performance has positioned Haryana as a leader in growth in SGST revenues among all the states of India.

Haryana's Gross SGST collection (post-settlement) for the Financial Year 2025-26 has reached Rs. 48,289 Crore, which is Rs. 8546 Crore more than the collection in the last Financial Year.

Sharing information in this regard, an official spokesperson said that based on a sustained high rate of growth, in FY 2025-26, Haryana has moved up to 6th position in the country with regard to gross SGST (post-settlement) collection as compared to its 9th rank in FY 2024-25, surpassing states like Telangana, West Bengal and Rajasthan.

Haryana has 6,30,818 registered taxpayers under GST as on April 1, 2026. Taxpayer base has increased by 12 percent as compared to the last financial year and has shown a steady growth over the years since the inception of GST.

The spokesperson said that in the period after the GST rate rationalisation reforms carried out by the GST Council in September 2025, Haryana continues to show commendable growth in SGST collection, reflecting the thriving economy of the State and data analytics-driven tax administration.

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh had welcomed the GST rate rationalisation reforms and thanked Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for the much-awaited reforms. These major GST reforms were also celebrated in the form of GST Bachat Utsav across all the districts of the State. Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh also expressed gratitude towards the taxpayers of Haryana for paying their due taxes and contributing to the development of the State, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said that the government has emphasised strengthening tax administration in the state. During the budget speech for FY 2026-27, the Chief Minister had announced multiple reforms in tax administration based on the suggestions received from Industrial Associations and tax practitioners. These reforms aim not only to improve the interface between the Excise and Taxation Department and the taxpayers but also to strengthen enforcement against tax evasion.

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Haryana Accelerates Gyan Bharatam Manuscript Survey Across Districts

Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi Reviews ‘Gyan Bharatam’ Implementation with DCs, Emphasises Time-Bound Manuscript Survey

Chandigarh, April 2: Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, on Wednesday, chaired a detailed review meeting with Deputy Commissioners, Registrars of universities and senior officers to accelerate the implementation of the Gyan Bharatam initiative and the National Manuscript Survey across the state.

The Chief Secretary said the programme reflects the vision of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, who has emphasised preservation, innovation and adaptation as key pillars of India’s knowledge tradition. The Gyan Bharatam portal, launched in September 2025, aims to identify and preserve centuries-old manuscripts using modern technology.

Sh. Rastogi directed Deputy Commissioners to ensure a systematic and time-bound survey in every district, covering manuscripts available in institutions as well as with private custodians such as temples, universities, libraries and individual collectors. He stressed that proper documentation, cataloguing and creation of standardised digital records would be essential for building a comprehensive national database.

Reviewing the execution strategy, the Chief Secretary said the survey would follow a structured process beginning with the identification of manuscripts and custodians, followed by physical verification and condition assessment, detailed cataloguing and metadata recording, conservation and high-quality digitisation, and finally validation at the repository level to ensure authenticity and accuracy.

Emphasising the role of technology, he highlighted the deployment of high-end scanners, creation of metadata, and the uploading of digitised manuscripts to a secure national digital repository with cloud storage. He also pointed to the use of advanced tools such as Optical Character Recognition and Handwritten Text Recognition, being developed in collaboration with technology partners, to make ancient texts more accessible.

The Chief Secretary further underlined the importance of capacity building, noting that conservation training programmes are being organised across zones, along with specialised training in ancient scripts such as Old Devanagari and Modi script to create skilled manpower for preservation work.

Sh. Rastogi also stressed adherence to a clear administrative framework, with state-level monitoring under the Chief Secretary and district-level committees headed by Deputy Commissioners. He directed that regular and fortnightly review meetings be conducted to closely monitor progress and resolve bottlenecks.

Officials were instructed to strictly follow the timeline, with the field survey to be completed within three months from March to June 2026, supported by pre-survey coordination and continuous monitoring.

Highlighting the importance of public engagement, he directed departments to intensify outreach through universities, cultural and religious institutions, advertisements in media platforms and expert networks. He also reviewed initiatives such as the Abhilekh Daan Abhiyan to encourage voluntary contribution of archival materials and the Dharoharshastri Internship Programme aimed at involving students in archival work. He also appealed to citizens to download the Gyan Bharatam app and voluntarily provide information related to manuscripts.

The Chief Secretary said the initiative will lead to the creation of a comprehensive manuscript database, identification of rare and endangered manuscripts, development of a GIS-based national repository, and strengthening of institutional and community participation in preserving India’s rich knowledge heritage.

ACS, Higher Education, Sh. AK Singh joined the meeting via videoconferencing while Commissioner & Secretary, Archives Department, Sh. Shekhar Vidyarthi, Director, Archives, Dr. Balpreet Singh, Deputy Director, Archives Department, Manju Yadav, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

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All District Civil Hospitals to Maintain Records of CT Scan and MRI Services

Patient medical history to be recorded in files, instructions to be implemented with immediate effect

Chandigarh, April 2: The Director General of Health Services, Haryana, has directed all Civil Surgeons and Principal Medical Officers across the state to maintain proper records of CT scan and MRI services.

While issuing these instructions, emphasis has been laid on ensuring smooth operation and transparency in CT scan and MRI services being run under the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) mode in district civil hospitals.

According to the Director General, CT scan and MRI services have been operating in district civil hospitals across the state under the PPP model since 2016. A large number of needy patients are benefiting from these services every day. At present, these facilities are provided free of cost to BPL card holders, persons receiving disability pension, Scheduled Caste category, Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), unidentified road accident victims, Haryana government employees, pensioners and their dependents, and persons suffering from HIV.

He stated that in order to prevent misuse of these facilities and to ensure proper record-keeping, it is necessary that whenever any patient from the eligible category is advised to undergo such tests, an indoor admission or day-care file must be created. Additionally, all relevant information such as the patient’s medical history, laboratory tests, necessity of the investigation, and patient consent must be mandatorily recorded in the file by the treating doctor.

Furthermore, Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) have been instructed to review orders related to these diagnostic tests on a daily basis and ensure that they are countersigned by the concerned Medical Superintendent (MS) or Principal Medical Officer (PMO).

The Director General of Health Services has directed all officials to strictly comply with these instructions and implement them with immediate effect, terming them as extremely essential.

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Ensuring Timely Availability of Quality Seeds to Farmers is the Government’s Priority: Agriculture Minister

Meeting of the Departmental High-Powered Purchase Committee Held

Chandigarh, April 2 – A meeting of the Departmental High-Powered Purchase Committee was held today under the chairmanship of Haryana’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, in which important decisions were taken to provide better facilities to farmers and strengthen the agricultural system.

During the meeting, an important proposal related to the annual labour tender of Haryana Seed Development Corporation was approved. The objective of this decision is to streamline the process of seed procurement, processing, packaging, and certification so that farmers can be provided with high-quality certified seeds at subsidised rates in a timely manner.

Officials informed that approval of this tender will ensure timely procurement of raw seeds from seed producers at various units of the Seed Corporation—Hisar, Sirsa, Tohana, Yamunanagar, Pataudi, and Umri. Thereafter, seed processing, packaging, and certification will also be completed within the stipulated time frame.

Agriculture Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that providing quality seeds to farmers on time is a priority for the government, as it helps increase crop production and improves farmers’ income. He added that the state government is continuously making efforts to strengthen the agriculture sector and provide all possible assistance to farmers.

It was also informed in the meeting that approval of this tender will result in savings of approximately ₹15 lakh for the Seed Corporation. This decision also reflects the government’s transparency and financial discipline.

Senior officials of the department and representatives of the Haryana Seed Development Corporation were also present in the meeting.

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Major boost to rural healthcare: Rs. 37.60 crore approved for 8 new PHCs – Arti Singh Rao

Chandigarh, April 2 – Haryana Health Minister, Ms. Arti Singh Rao, said that the state government is committed to strengthening the reach and quality of healthcare services across the state. In a significant step in this direction, the Chief Minister has approved Rs. 37.60 crore for the construction of 8 new Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in rural areas.

The Health Minister said that the establishment of these PHCs will ensure better and more accessible healthcare services for people living in rural areas. These centres will be set up at Bangaon and Samain in Fatehabad district; Ladwa in Hisar district; Girawar and Samar Gopalpur in Rohtak district; Farmana and Sargathal in Sonipat district; and Mallekan village in Sirsa district.

She further said that the existing PHC building at Mallekan in Sirsa district has been declared dilapidated and unsafe, and will be replaced with a new building equipped with modern facilities. In the other villages, PHCs will be constructed for the first time, enabling residents of nearby areas to access primary healthcare services closer to their homes.

Sharing details of the financial provisions, the Minister said that Rs. 1,144 lakh will be funded under the 15th Finance Commission (FC-XV), while Rs. 2,616.72 lakh will be met from the state budget head 4210, taking the total project cost to Rs. 37.60 crore.

According to the Health Department, the construction of these PHCs is expected to be completed within 18 to 24 months, with funds to be released in a phased manner for smooth execution of the project.

The Minister said that once operational, these PHCs will not only enhance access to healthcare in rural areas but also reduce the burden on larger hospitals, ensuring timely treatment for patients and strengthening the overall healthcare system in the state.

She said that the state government is continuously working towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure, adding new facilities, and ensuring quality healthcare services reach every citizen.

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Haryana Government Takes Major Step to Promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

18-member District-Level Clearance Committee Constituted Under Deputy Commissioner; Processes to Become Simpler

Chandigarh, April 2 — With the objective of further strengthening and promoting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, the Haryana Government has taken a significant decision. The government has amended sub-rule (1) of Rule 7 under Rule 16 of the Haryana Enterprise Promotion Rules, and decided to constitute an 18-member District-Level Clearance Committee in each district under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner.

According to a notification issued by the Industries and Commerce Department, the amended rules will now be called the Haryana Enterprise Promotion (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The initiative aims to simplify, expedite and bring greater transparency to the process of obtaining various approvals and clearances related to industries, thereby boosting investment and creating new employment opportunities.

The committee will be chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned district, with senior officials from various departments serving as members. These include the Superintending Engineer of power utilities, Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner, District Town Planner, Regional Officer of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Deputy/Assistant Labour Commissioner, District Labour Commissioner, Assistant Director of Industrial Safety, Chief Inspector of Factories, Drug Inspector, Estate Officers of HSIIDC and HSVP, Executive Officer of Municipal Council or Joint Commissioner of Municipal Corporation, District Food and Supplies Controller, district-level officers of AYUSH and Renewable Energy departments, Divisional Forest Officer, Joint/Deputy Director of District MSME Centre, and a representative of the District MSME organisation.

In addition, the Joint/Deputy Director of the District Industries Centre has been appointed as the Member Secretary of the committee.

The committee will serve as an effective platform for the speedy disposal of industry-related matters, ensuring better facilitation for investors under the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ framework and giving a fresh impetus to industrial development in the state.

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Geetu Ram, S.E./OP Circle, UHBVN, Sonipat, of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited, has been suspended with immediate effect.

Chandigarh, April 2 – Geetu Ram, S.E./OP Circle, UHBVN, Sonipat, of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited, has been suspended with immediate effect. Orders in this regard have been issued by the Managing Director of UHBVN.

During the suspension period, the headquarters of Geetu Ram will be the office of the Chief Engineer/Administration, UHBVN, Panchkula.