No Student Should Miss Out on Scholarship Benefits, Officials Must Ensure Proper Implementation of Schemes: CM Nayab Singh Saini

Chandigarh, October 23 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said directions have been issued to officers to ensure that no student misses out on receiving scholarship benefits under the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship schemes. The Resident Commissioner at Haryana Bhawan has been instructed to coordinate with officials of the concerned central ministries to obtain information about the schemes being run by them and to keep the state government departments regularly informed. Along with this, school and college principals should also inform students about the schemes and ensure that their scholarship forms are filled online.

The Chief Minister was presiding over a review meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh, regarding scholarship schemes for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Backward Class (BC) students.

He said that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that no meritorious or needy student discontinues their education due to financial constraints. The Chief Minister directed the officers to make sure that students receive timely information about the scholarship schemes and that there is no negligence in this regard.

He instructed that information boards be installed in every school and college, clearly displaying details of all scholarship schemes so that students do not face any difficulty in filling out forms and completing the application process.

The Chief Minister directed officers to conduct ground monitoring of the schemes and prepare periodic review reports to be submitted to the government. This will help ensure that the state government’s 40 percent share is transferred to the students’ bank accounts, while the remaining 60 percent share from the central government is directly credited to students’ accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

He further said that during student admission and counseling, officials should inform students and their parents that if they fall under the eligibility criteria for any scholarship scheme, they must link the student’s bank account with Aadhaar to ensure timely disbursement of scholarship funds.

Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi has placed special emphasis on the skill development of the country’s youth so that every young person can become self-reliant and fully utilize their potential. In this direction, the Haryana Government will also focus on enhancing the skills of students in the state, especially those belonging to the economically weaker sections among the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Backward Classes (BC). The government’s goal is not only to ensure that these students receive quality education but also that they become employable and play a leading role in society with dignity.

During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary of the Higher Education Department, Sh. Vineet Garg, apprised the Chief Minister that scholarship schemes are being implemented by the Departments of Higher Education, Technical Education, Skill Development and Industrial Training, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Medical Education and Research, and AYUSH. Students have to upload their scholarship applications on the Higher Education Department portal. Thereafter, the applications are verified by the respective colleges/universities and departments. Subsequently, 40 percent of the state government’s share is released, and the remaining 60 percent share from the central government is transferred directly to students’ accounts through the National Scholarship Portal.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Medical Education and Research Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and Antyodaya, Dr. G. Anupama, along with other senior officers from various departments.

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Government committed to farmers’ welfare under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi - CM Nayab Singh Saini

Farmers thank Chief Minister for Diwali gift of increased sugarcane MSP

Farmers satisfied with smooth crop procurement system in Haryana mandis

Chandigarh, Oct 23 - Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that both the Central and State Governments, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, are continuously working in the interest of farmers. Whether it is increasing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugarcane or for crops like paddy and wheat, every step is being taken to enhance farmers’ income.

The Chief Minister was interacting with farmers at his residence, Sant Kabir Kutir, here today. A large number of farmers from Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, and other districts met the Chief Minister to express their gratitude for the increase in sugarcane MSP announced on the occasion of Diwali.

Expressing their happiness over the hike in MSP, the farmers thanked Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and, through him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the unexpected Diwali announcement was the biggest gift for farmers.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government has taken several steps to boost farmers’ income, including raising the price of early-variety sugarcane from Rs400 to Rs415 per quintal and the price of late-variety sugarcane from Rs393 to Rs408 per quintal. He said that the increase in sugarcane MSP not only acknowledges the hard work and dedication of farmers but also strengthens their economic condition.

The Chief Minister further stated that this decision of the Haryana Government will not only benefit farmers but also give a new impetus to the state’s agricultural economy. He added that the government is fully committed to farmers’ welfare, and by offering the highest sugarcane support price in the country, it aims to bring greater prosperity and happiness to farmers’ lives.

He also highlighted that Haryana is the first state in the country to procure all crops at MSP, with payments made to farmers within 48 hours of procurement. Through the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal, crop procurement payments worth Rs 1.58 lakh crore have been transferred directly into the bank accounts of 12 lakh farmers via Direct Benefit Transfer over the past 11 procurement seasons.

He added that Haryana was also the first state to implement the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, under which incentives worth Rs 135.37 crore have been directly deposited into the accounts of 29,864 farmers, covering 21 fruits and vegetables.

The Chief Minister informed that the compensation amount for crops damaged due to heavy rains or natural disasters has been increased to Rs 15,000 per acre. In addition, claims worth Rs 9626 crore have been disbursed to 33 lakh farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Apart from this, during last 11 years, compensation worth Rs 15627 crore had already been released to farmers for crop loss due to natural calamity.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister also sought feedback from farmers on the procurement system for paddy and other crops in mandis and assured them that any shortcomings would be promptly addressed. Farmers present at the meeting expressed satisfaction with the state government’s mandi system, stating that they were not facing any difficulties in selling their produce.

Chairman Market Committee Pehowa Tarun Warriach, Ramgopal Rana from Yamunanagar, for Sarpanch Rajkumar from Vyaspur, Madan Rana from Jalbehera, Sarpanch Balwinder Singh, Jagjit Singh, Nambardar Gian Singh along with a large number of farmers were also present.

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Work on Ropeway Project at Dhosi Hill to begin soon, Mahendragarh to emerge as a Global Tourism Destination

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini chairs review meeting on tourism projects

Chandigarh, October 23 - Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini today reviewed the progress of various projects aimed at promoting tourism in the state, including the proposed ropeway project at the historic Dhosi Hill in Mahendragarh district. He directed officials to expedite all pending projects and ensure their completion within the stipulated timeframe.

The Chief Minister was presiding over an important review meeting on the Dhosi Hill Ropeway Project held here today. Tourism and Heritage Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma also joined the meeting online.

The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government is committed to giving global recognition to the state’s tourism destinations. He said that tourism is not merely a source of recreation, but also a powerful catalyst for local development, employment generation and cultural preservation.

It was informed in the meeting that the Dhosi Hill Ropeway Project, being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 57 crore, aims to transform the region into a world-class tourist destination. The proposed ropeway will be approximately 870 meters long. Once completed, the ropeway will make access to Dhosi Hill easier, attracting both domestic and international tourists. The project is expected to further increase tourist interest in the historical monuments of Mahendragarh, including its forts and heritage sites.

The meeting also discussed the redevelopment of Mahendragarh Fort, Madhogarh Fort and the Baoli in the area. It was proposed that the Baoli be developed as a “Rani Mahal” to host mehndi ceremonies and cultural events. The Chief Minister endorsed the proposal, stating that such initiatives would boost local employment and promote regional tourism, and suggested that the project be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

In addition, the Chief Minister reviewed ongoing tourism development projects at Pinjore and Tikkartal in Morni, directing officials to further enhance the beauty and appeal of these sites. He emphasized the need to strengthen accommodation facilities at Pinjore Gardens and explore the potential for new projects such as a ropeway in the Morni hills.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the progress of the “Anubhav Kendra” being developed in Kurukshetra district and instructed officials to ensure its timely completion.

Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Arun Kumar Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Town and Country Planning Department A.K. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Environment Department Vineet Garg, Principal Secretary Tourism Department Kala Ramachandran, Deputy Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Yashpal Yadav, Managing Director Tourism Development Corporation Dr. Shalin and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.

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*Panchkula to soon receive drinking water supply from Kaushalya Dam*

*Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini directs immediate start of pipeline repair work to restore water supply from Kaushalya Dam*

*Work towards reliance on surface water instead of groundwater*

Chandigarh, October 23 - Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has directed officials to immediately begin repair work on the damaged water pipeline to ensure a smooth supply of drinking water to Panchkula city from Kaushalya Dam. He said that this work should be completed on a priority basis so that water supply from the dam can be restored to various sectors of Panchkula, replacing the current dependence on tube wells.

In addition, the Chief Minister instructed officials of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HSVP) to provide 10–12 acres of land to the Public Health Engineering Department for the construction of a clean water storage facility in the Pinjore-Kalka area. This will help ensure providing clean drinking water supply from Kaushalya Dam to residents of the Pinjore-Kalka regions.

Sh Nayab Singh Saini was chairing a meeting regarding comprehensive dam safety here today.

The Chief Minister said that all concerned departments of the State Government should focus on utilizing surface water instead of groundwater for drinking purposes, and should take concrete steps to scientifically conserve and use rainwater.

*Enhance motor capacity at Kajauli Water Works*

Sh Nayab Singh Saini also directed officials to strengthen the water supply system from Kajauli Water Works by increasing the capacity of the pumping motors to ensure an adequate and consistent water supply from the facility.

*Steps to enhance storage capacity of Kaushalya Dam*

The Chief Minister further instructed the Irrigation Department to prepare a detailed action plan to increase the storage capacity of Kaushalya Dam. He said that effective measures should be taken, in coordination with other concerned departments, to ensure that contaminated water does not enter the dam under any circumstances.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister also reviewed the status of Kaushalya Dam in Panchkula, Ottu Head in Sirsa, and Hathnikund Barrage in Yamunanagar. He directed that an independent panel of experts timely conduct an assessment of these structures to ensure their strength, stability, and safety.

Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Rajesh Khullar, Chief Administrator HSVP, Dr. Chandrashekhar Khare, OSD to the Chief Minister, Rakesh Sandhu, Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Satbir Singh Kadian and Rakesh Chauhan and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.

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ECI’s two-day Conference of CEOs on SIR preparedness concludes

Chandigarh, October 23 - The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) two-day Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) concluded today at the India International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi.

An ECI spokesperson said the conference was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Sh. Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi. CEOs of the States/UTs from across the country attended the Conference.

The Commission directed the CEOs to finalise their preparations for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in their respective States/UTs. After the presentations by senior officers of the Commission on the SIR process, queries raised by the CEOs were also clarified.

The Commission assessed the progress made on the directions previously issued to the CEOs to map the current electors with the electors as per the last SIR in the State/UT.

The Commission also interacted one-to-one with the CEOs of poll-bound States/UT of Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal.

The Conference is being held as a follow up to the SIR preparedness conference held on September 10, 2025 during which all the States/UTs gave detailed presentations on the number of Electors, qualifying date of last SIR and Electoral Roll in their respective State/UT as per the last completed SIR.

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Haryana Government is ensuring Transparent and fair Procurement of Bajra

Allegations of the Opposition are misleading

Chandigarh, October 23-The Haryana Government is ensuring transparent and fair procurement of Bajra.

Sharing more details in this regard, an official spokesperson said that the statements made by the Opposition regarding Bajra (millet) procurement are factually incorrect and politically motivated.

The spokesperson said that the state is fully committed to protecting the interests of farmers and ensuring fair returns for their produce.

The spokesperson further clarified that government procurement of Bajra is being carried out transparently through registered agencies, and farmers are being provided remunerative prices through both MSP procurement and the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana (BBY). Under the Bhavantar scheme, farmers are compensated for any difference between the market price and the Minimum Support Price (MSP). This hybrid system ensures that every farmer gets due benefit—either through direct purchase or price compensation, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson informed that the government has already started procurement operations in several mandis, and payment is being made directly into farmers’ bank accounts within the stipulated time. No farmer will be left out of the procurement or compensation process. The government has issued strict directions to procurement agencies to complete the process smoothly, said the spokesperson.

Responding to allegations that no Bajra is being purchased at MSP, the spokesperson clarified that procurement depends on the Fair Average Quality (FAQ) standards fixed by the Central Government. If any lot does not meet these standards due to weather or quality issues, farmers are still covered under the Bhavantar Yojana so that they do not face any loss, said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson emphasized that the present government has ensured record procurement in previous seasons and continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the farming community. Instead of misleading farmers for political gain, the Opposition should appreciate the fact that Haryana is among the few states that offer both MSP procurement and Bhavantar price protection. The welfare of farmers has always been and will remain our top priority, said the spokesperson.

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Contract Period of Outsourcing Policy Part-2 Employees Extended in Haryana Till November 30, 2025

Chandigarh, October 23 – The Haryana Government has decided to extend the contract period of employees engaged under sanctioned posts in various departments, boards, corporations, and public undertakings under Outsourcing Policy Part-2 till November 30, 2025.

According to a letter issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, the contract period of these employees had earlier been extended from August 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025. It has been stated that all conditions mentioned in the memorandum issued by the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited (HKRNL) on March 25, 2025, must be strictly followed.

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*Shop Registration in Haryana Now in Just One Day*

*Registration Time Reduced Under the Right to Service Act*

Chandigarh, October 23 – In Haryana, shop registration can now be completed within a single day. Taking a significant step towards improving ease of doing business and enhancing efficiency in citizen services, the State Government has reduced the time limit for shop registration under the Haryana Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958 (Punjab Act 15 of 1958) to one day.

Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi has issued a notification in this regard, bringing this service under the ambit of the Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014.

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Paid Holiday on Polling Day in Bihar Elections and Bye-Elections 2025

Chandigarh, October 23 - The Election Commission of India (ECI) had announced the schedule for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar, 2025, and bye-elections in 8 Assembly Constituencies.

The dates of poll in Bihar have been fixed on November 6, 2025 (Thursday) for Phase-I and November 11, 2025 (Tuesday) for Phase-II, and the bye-elections to all 8 Assembly Constituencies are also to be held on November 11, 2025.

An ECI spokesperson said as per Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or any other establishment, and entitled to vote at an election to the House of the People or to the Legislative Assembly of a State/UT, shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll. No deduction of wages shall be made on account of such a paid holiday. Any employer who contravenes these provisions shall be liable to a fine. All daily wage and casual workers are also entitled to a paid holiday on the day of poll.

The Commission further clarified that electors, including casual and daily wage workers, who are working or employed in industrial or commercial establishments located outside their constituency but are registered as voters in a constituency going to polls shall also be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday on the day of poll to enable them to cast their vote.

The Commission has directed all State/UT Governments to issue necessary instructions to all concerned for strict compliance with these provisions and to ensure that all electors are able to exercise their franchise freely and conveniently.