High-Level Committee meeting held for Procurement of Advanced Machinery and Equipment for ITIs
Chandigarh, July 21- Haryana Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Sh. Gaurav Gautam said the State Government is committed to transforming Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into centres of excellence by providing students with modern, industry-oriented training that matches the evolving needs of leading industrial establishments.
Chairing a meeting of the High-Level Procurement Committee of the Skill Development and Industrial Training Department at the Haryana Civil Secretariat on Monday, the Minister directed officers to expedite the procurement of state-of-the-art machinery and advanced equipment for ITIs across the state. He said the initiative aims to ensure that students receive hands-on training on the latest technologies and are equipped with skills that meet the current demands of modern industries.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on strengthening the quality of vocational training and ensuring the timely availability of advanced technical resources in ITIs.
Skilled Youth Are the Nation's Real Strength
Sh. Gaurav Gautam said that in today's competitive environment, an academic degree alone is not sufficient. He emphasized that practical skills have become equally important and that skilled youth are the real strength of the nation.
He said the Central and Haryana Governments share a common vision of ensuring ‘Har Hath ko Hunar’. Empowering young people with employable skills will not only make them self-reliant but also enable them to play a significant role in building a developed and self-sufficient India, said the Minister.
Better Training, Better Employment Opportunities
The Minister said the State Government is fully committed to strengthening skill development initiatives across Haryana. With the introduction of modern technologies and advanced training infrastructure in ITIs, students will receive industry-relevant education that enhances their employability and prepares them to meet the expectations of manufacturing and service sectors.
He added that the initiative would create greater employment opportunities for Haryana's youth while supporting the state's growing industrial ecosystem with a highly skilled workforce.
Principal Secretary, Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Department, Sh. Rajeev Ranjan, Director, Director, Skill Development & Industrial Training, Department, Sh. Satyender Duhan and other senior officers also attended the meeting.
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*Haryana Civil Aviation Minister Vipul Goel chairs 8th Board Meeting of Haryana Airports Development Corporation*
*Key decisions taken to strengthen aviation infrastructure and administrative systems*
Chandigarh, July 21- Haryana Civil Aviation Minister and Chairman of the Haryana Airports Development Corporation (HADC), Sh. Vipul Goel on Monday chaired the 8th meeting of the Board of Directors of the Haryana Airports Development Corporation Limited in Chandigarh.
The Board reviewed a wide range of agenda items aimed at strengthening the state's civil aviation ecosystem, with discussions focusing on aviation infrastructure, expansion of air ambulance services, financial management and institutional reforms. Several key proposals were approved during the meeting.
A major focus of the meeting was the expansion of helicopter-based services, including medical evacuation, tourism and public transport. The Board reviewed plans to upgrade helipads located near medical colleges in Faridabad, Karnal, Sonipat, Gurugram and Rohtak in coordination with the Health Department and other healthcare institutions to support the proposed expansion of helicopter ambulance services.
The Minister directed officers to ensure that all ongoing civil aviation projects in the state are completed within the stipulated timelines while maintaining high quality standards. He said timely execution of these projects would strengthen Haryana's aviation infrastructure and create new opportunities for trade, tourism and employment.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Civil Aviation Department, Smt. G. Anupama, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (Buildings & Roads), Sh. A.K. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and Planning Department, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Director General and Secretary, Civil Aviation, Sh. Anshaj Singh. Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Yash Pal, Additional Director, Civil Aviation Department, Sh. Manish Kumar Lohan and other senior officers.
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NABARD's ₹15,056-Crore Push Reshapes Rural Haryana; Over 6,100 Projects, 131 FPOs and 63,000 Farmers Benefit
Strong Rural Infrastructure Key to Realising the Vision of ‘Viksit Bharat-2047’: Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi
Chief Secretary participates in NABARD's 45th Foundation Day celebrations in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, July 21: Haryana has witnessed one of its biggest rural infrastructure expansions with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) sanctioning nearly ₹15,056 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), supporting 6,175 infrastructure projects across the state that have strengthened irrigation, rural roads, drinking water facilities and other critical assets.
The achievements were highlighted during NABARD's 45th Foundation Day celebrations, where Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi was invited as the Chief Guest.
Sh. Rastogi said the institution has emerged as a key partner in accelerating rural transformation and strengthening the state's agricultural economy.
Describing NABARD as a catalyst for inclusive rural development, Rastogi said the state's future growth depends on stronger rural infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, financial inclusion and empowered community institutions. He stressed that government departments, financial institutions and grassroots organisations must work together to build resilient villages in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Recalling his earlier tenure as Finance Secretary, Sh. Rastogi said he had the opportunity to work closely with NABARD and witnessed first-hand the institution's constructive role in supporting the state's development. He said NABARD's financial assistance at concessional interest rates has enabled the timely execution of several critical rural infrastructure projects, significantly benefiting Haryana's farmers and rural communities.
The Chief Secretary said the state government is committed to digitising all Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) with the necessary technical support to make them more efficient, transparent and accessible. He added that the government is also working to ensure that every PACS becomes financially viable and profitable so that these institutions can function as strong pillars of the rural cooperative ecosystem.
He said the foundation of Viksit Bharat @2047 has to be laid today through collective effort, effective implementation and a long-term vision. Calling upon bankers and government officials to go beyond their routine responsibilities, he urged them to personally mentor and support Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), schools, colleges and healthcare institutions in rural areas. Such sustained handholding, he said, would strengthen local institutions, help resolve grassroots challenges more effectively and accelerate inclusive rural development across the state.
During the function, the Chief Secretary also released a Coffee Table Book documenting the impact of NABARD’s development interventions in Haryana and a Unit Cost Book to serve as a practical guide for banks in agricultural lending, project appraisal and financing of farm and allied activities.
Outstanding Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), artisans and women entrepreneurs were honoured for their contribution to rural development, while an exhibition by FPOs, OFPOs and artisans showcased value-added agricultural products, processed foods and handicrafts, highlighting the growing strength of Haryana's rural producer collectives.
Presenting NABARD's performance, Chief General Manager Nivedita Tiwary said the institution has significantly strengthened farmer-owned institutions in Haryana by computerising and digitising 710 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and promoting 131 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) across the state.
She said these producer organisations have brought together 63,369 farmers, including 14,017 women, enabling collective marketing, better price realisation, improved technology adoption and stronger integration with agricultural value chains.
To improve institutional access to finance, NABARD has provided ₹11.12 crore in credit support to 28 FPOs, besides extending ₹60.38 lakh as Equity Grant Assistance to nine FPOs, strengthening their financial sustainability and business operations.
The institution has also focused on climate-smart agriculture by supporting watershed development, groundwater management, micro-irrigation, Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR), vegetable clusters and other sustainable farming initiatives aimed at reducing input costs and improving farm incomes.
NABARD's livelihood promotion programmes have equally focused on women. Since 2022-23, more than 5,010 rural women have received skill training in dairy farming, mushroom cultivation, food processing, tailoring, handicrafts and other income-generating activities, creating sustainable self-employment opportunities across the state.
Commissioner & Secretary, Finance, Sh. CG Rajini Kaanthan, HARCO Bank Chairman Sh. Bharat Bhushan Juyal, and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
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Gurugram Metro expansion project progressing steadily; 28.5-km corridor under construction
Centre informs Parliament that work has commenced on Millennium City Centre–Cyber City–Dwarka Expressway Metro corridor
Project records 3.3% physical progress up to June 2026
Chandigarh, July 21- The construction of the 28.5-km Gurugram Metro Expansion Project is progressing steadily, with work already underway on the Millennium City Centre–Cyber City–Dwarka Expressway corridor. The project has achieved approximately 3.3 per cent physical progress up to June 2026, according to information shared by the Central Government in Parliament.
A spokesperson of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) said that the update was provided by the Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Sh. Tokhan Sahu, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. The reply came in response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Sh. Sanjay Bhatia regarding metro rail expansion and urban public transport projects across the country.
He said that the Government of India has approved the Gurugram Metro Expansion Project, and construction is currently in progress on the 28.5-km corridor connecting Millennium City Centre, Cyber City and the Dwarka Expressway.
He said that the metro expansion project will significantly strengthen Gurugram’s public transport network by providing seamless connectivity across some of the city’s busiest commercial and residential hubs. The project is expected to improve commuter convenience, reduce dependence on private vehicles, ease traffic congestion and help lower vehicular emissions by promoting sustainable urban mobility.
The spokesperson added that the metro corridor will play a key role in meeting Gurugram’s growing transportation needs by enhancing connectivity, improving last-mile access and supporting the development of an efficient, environment-friendly urban transport system.