CHANDIGARH, January 1st :

Punjab’s brightest government school students soaked in knowledge at Winter Residential Coaching Camps organised under Punjab Academic Coaching for Excellence (PACE) program. Over 1700 students benefited from the transformative program designed to democratise access to high-quality competitive exam coaching, informed Punjab’s Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains.

Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains informed that these camps, aimed at preparing government school students for the India’s top professional education institutions like IITs, NITs and AIIMS, saw 1728 students participation across three centres: Bathinda (601 students comprising 359 Girls, 242 Boys), Ludhiana (573 students: 327 Girls, 246 Boys) and SAS Nagar (Mohali) (554 students: 367 Girls, 187 Boys).

The initiative highlights Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to level the playing field for students from all socio-economic backgrounds. “The overwhelming response to PACE Winter Camps highlights the immense potential in our government schools. This initiative empowers youth, instills confidence and gives deserving students, irrespective of their circumstances, a fair shot at top institutions. We are building a robust ecosystem of excellence and equity,” said the Education Minister.

S. Harjot Singh Bains said that the winter camps were one of the most extensive drives being undertaken by the department, with a rigorous selection process. “Participants were chosen through a rigorous multi-stage selection process evaluating performance in standardized mock tests, conceptual clarity, academic consistency and teacher recommendations, ensuring that only the most dedicated aspirants made the cut form the cohort. The program is committed to inclusivity, reserving 20% seats at each centre for students from other government schools and drop-year aspirants, extending benefits beyond Schools of Eminence and Residential Schools for Meritorious Students,” he added.

The Education Minister said that the camps offered a comprehensive learning experience, led by expert faculty from top coaching organisations like Physics Wallah, Vidya Mandir and Avanti Fellows. “A structured curriculum focuses on concept strengthening and advanced problem-solving aligned with JEE and NEET patterns. Daily doubt-clearing sessions, one-on-one mentoring and holistic development modules on stress management, career guidance and recreational activities ensured the student’s well-being. Secure, fully residential facilities provided a conducive, distraction-free environment to the students,” he highlighted.

He expressed confidence that the Winter Residential Coaching Camps would significantly enhance competitive exams outcome by providing critical early exposure to Class 11th  students and boost the final preparation of Class 12th aspirants. “Last year, 265 government school students cleared JEE Mains, 45 cracked JEE Advanced and 847 cleared NEET, proving the state government schools are now premier launchpads for the country’s top professional careers,” he highlighted.

*Robust Government Arrangements Ensure Scale, Quality and Equity*

The Punjab Government, through the Department of School Education, put in place comprehensive administrative and academic arrangements to ensure the success of the Winter Residential Coaching Camps 2025 under the PACE programme. Conducted across three fully residential centres in Ludhiana, Bathinda and Mohali, the camps were designed as one of the largest competitive exam support initiatives for government school students, with standardised academic planning, centralised monitoring and uniform curriculum delivery across locations. To ensure fairness and inclusion, the government reserved 20 percent seats at each centre for students from other government schools and drop-year aspirants, extending the benefits well beyond Schools of Eminence and Residential Schools for Meritorious Students.

The Punjab government also ensured end-to-end residential and welfare arrangements to create a distraction-free, high-intensity learning environment. Students were provided secure accommodation, nutritious meals, round-the-clock supervision, and access to medical and counselling support. Academic delivery was supported through partnerships with reputed coaching institutions, daily doubt-clearing sessions, structured mentorship, and holistic modules focusing on stress management and career guidance. These arrangements reflect the Punjab Government’s deliberate effort to institutionalise excellence, equity and student well-being while preparing government school students to compete confidently for IITs, NITs, AIIMS and other premier institutions.

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CAPTION: Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan today paid obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar and prayed for the welfare of all. Waheguru Ji may always keep the Punjabis living across the globe happy, healthy and prosperous in New Year 2026.

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VIGILANCE BUREAU PUNJAB

*Vigilance Bureau arrests Tehsildar for accepting bribe of Rs. 30,000/-*

Chandigarh, January 1, 2026:

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), in line with the zero tolerance policy adopted by the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government, has apprehended Jagtar Singh, Tehsildar posted at district Sangrur for accepting a bribe of Rs. 30,000/-. His co-accused will be arrested soon. An amount of Rs. 1,45,000/- was recovered during the search of accused Tehsildar house.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the arrest has been made following a complaint lodged by a resident of Mehlan village district Sangrur against Jagtar Singh Tehsildar and Malvinder Singh Clerk posted at tehsil office Sangrur.

He further said that the complainant alleged that he had approached accused for executing the registry of  purchased land. Both accused received bribe money of Rs. 30,000/- for executing the registry of the land.

After verification of the complaint, it was found that above said allegations are true. In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against  both the accused at VB Police range, Patiala. Further investigation into this case is underway, he added.

The Vigilance Bureau appeals to the citizens of Punjab to report any such incident of corruption to us. The Vigilance Bureau is committed to take strict action against all those involved in corruption.

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Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab

*PUNJAB TO HARNESS AI FOR AGRICULTURE BOOST*

*•Gurmeet Khudian holds meeting with IIT Ropar to make Punjab front-runner in AI-driven agricultural transformation*

Chandigarh, January 1:

In a bid to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability using cutting-edge technologies, Punjab Government is gearing up to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture with the help of Centre of Excellence (CoE) established at IIT Ropar. 

Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian chaired a high-level review meeting here at Punjab Bhawan, to assess progress and outline a roadmap for effective field-level deployment of AI-driven solutions to improve farm productivity, sustainability and boost the state farmers’ income.

S. Khudian emphasised that advanced technologies must translate into tangible and measurable benefits for farmers on the ground. He assured full support from the Government of Punjab for implementation of pilot project and scaling up of successful AI interventions across districts. He also directed officials concerned to facilitate installation of Automatic Weather Stations, farmer engagement for field data collection, support to horticulture clusters and expansion of AI-based livestock productivity solutions.

The Agriculture Minister also welcomed IIT Ropar’s initiative to launch national-level courses on Precision Agriculture and AI in Agriculture, aimed at skill development of youth and capacity building of government officers. Special reservation of seats for students and officers from Punjab will further strengthen the State’s human resource base in agri-technology.

The collaboration would positionPunjab as a front-runner and a model State for AI-driven agricultural transformation. The concerted efforts of the Government of Punjab are expected to significantly enhance resource efficiency, climate resilience and sustainable growth in the agriculture and allied sectors.

During the meeting, Dr. Pushpendra P Singh, Associate Professor of IIT, Ropar apprised about the key initiatives under the CoE (with a financial outlay of around Rs310 crore supported by GoI), including AI-based crop advisory systems, multilingual farmer chatbots, digital twins of crops, yield estimation models, soil health analytics, weather intelligence tools and smart livestock management applications.

Secretary Agriculture department Mr. Arshdeep Singh Thind, MD Punjab Agro Ms. Hargunjeet Kaur, Director Agriculture Mr. Jaswant Singh, Director Animal Husbandry Mr Paramdeep Singh Walia and other senior officers of the state government were also present in the meeting.

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Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab

*Mann Government takes major step to ensure dignity and safety of senior citizens*

*State-level campaign “Sade Buzurg Sada Maan” to commence from January 16 — Dr Baljit Kaur*

*Punjab Government to spend nearly Rs 24 crore on welfare, health and awareness programmes for senior citizens*

*Large-scale free health camps for senior citizens under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*

*Campaign to be launched from Mohali; camps to provide free medical, legal and awareness services*

*State Action Plan worth Rs 786.83 lakh implemented for senior citizens’ welfare*

*Rs 6.82 crore grant for Old Age Homes; financial support to Day Care Centres*

*Senior citizens are the heritage of our society; government committed to their holistic protection — Dr Baljit Kaur*

Chandigarh, January 1:

The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is working with continuous sensitivity and commitment to ensure the welfare, security and dignified life of senior citizens. In this regard, Punjab’s Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr Baljit Kaur, announced during a press conference held at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh today that the state-level campaign “Sade Buzurg Sada Maan” will be launched from January 16, 2026, starting from District SAS Nagar (Mohali).

Dr Baljit Kaur said that International Day of Older Persons is observed every year on October 1, and in this context, the Punjab Government has been implementing the “Sade Buzurg Sada Maan” campaign since 2023. During the camps organised in 2023, a total of 20,110 registrations were recorded, under which facilities such as eye check-ups, ENT check-ups, cataract surgery screening, distribution of spectacles, pension forms, Senior Citizen Cards and Ayushman Cards were provided.

She further stated that continuing this initiative, the campaign will again be organised across the state in 2026 through district-wise camps. These camps will provide senior citizens with free health services, cataract surgeries, geriatric check-ups, ENT check-ups, yoga sessions, legal awareness and other essential services.

Dr Baljit Kaur informed that under the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens for the financial year 2025–26, an amount of Rs 786.83 lakh will be spent. The plan includes free medical camps, NCD and dementia screening, training of geriatric caregivers, and state-level media and awareness campaigns. In addition, a toll-free helpline number 14567 is being operated to address issues faced by senior citizens.

She clarified that nearly Rs 24 crore will be spent by the Punjab Government on senior citizens’ welfare, including healthcare services, Old Age Homes, Day Care Centres, awareness campaigns and other related activities, reflecting the strong commitment of the Mann Government towards the well-being of the elderly.

Dr Baljit Kaur stated that under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, legal provisions have been made to protect the rights of senior citizens, and thousands of cases have been resolved so far through Maintenance Tribunals and Appellate Tribunals.

She further informed that during the financial year 2025–26, a grant of Rs 6.82 crore will be provided to Old Age Homes located in 14 districts of the state, while Day Care Centres in Barnala and Mansa will receive financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh per centre.

On this occasion, she also announced that a government Old Age Home with a capacity of 72 beds constructed at a cost of Rs 9.12 crore in district Mansa will be inaugurated on January 10, 2026, under the able leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann.

In conclusion, Dr Baljit Kaur appealed to senior citizens and their families to actively participate in the district-level camps and avail the free facilities being provided by the Punjab Government.

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*INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT*

*GOVERNMENT OF STATE OF PUNJAB*

*Punjab Govt terminates services of four excise & taxation employees for prolonged unauthorized absence*

*Our Govt maintains zero-tolerance policy towards indiscipline & dereliction of duty: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*We are committed to ensuring transparent & accountable system for people of Punjab: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*State Tax Commissioner invokes deemed resignation rule against four officials absent for over year*

CHANDIGARH, 1st January 2026:

Following the directives of Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to enforce strict discipline and accountability, the State Tax Commissioner, Punjab, has issued orders for the “deemed resignation” of four department employees found to be on unauthorised leave for over a year. These orders, issued by the State Tax Commissioner Jatinder Jorwal, apply to three Excise and Taxation Inspectors and one Clerk who remained absent from their duties despite multiple legal notices and opportunities to rejoin their respective offices.

Commenting on the action, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Our government maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards indiscipline and dereliction of duty. Public service requires dedication and presence; therefore, employees who remain unauthorizedly absent for years, despite being given multiple opportunities to explain themselves, have no place in the administration. We are committed to ensuring a transparent and accountable system for the people of Punjab.”

*Zero tolerance for indiscipline to ensure transparent, accountable governance*

The services were terminated following a rigorous inquiry process conducted under Rule 8 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970. Among those affected is an Inspector, who had been absent from his post in Jalandhar-2 since March 15, 2023, after his leave request was rejected by higher authorities. Similarly, another Inspector was found to be continuously absent since June 24, 2023. He had failed to provide a satisfactory explanation or report to his assigned headquarters, despite being placed under suspension.

The department also took action against an Inspector of the Ropar Range, whose unauthorised absence dates back to May 29, 2021, following the conclusion of an approved Ex-India leave. Despite claims of medical issues and heart surgery, independent inquiries found him negligent in his official duties as he failed to join investigations even through virtual modes. Additionally, a clerk in the Jalandhar Audit Wing, had his services ended after failing to report for duty since September 11, 2023, following the non-approval of his Ex-India leave.

In all four cases, the department invoked the “deemed resignation” clause as per Finance Department instructions dated March 13, 2025. This regulation stipulates that any employee remaining absent without sanctioned leave for more than one year shall be considered to have resigned from government service. It was further clarified that as a consequence of this deemed resignation, no gratuity, pensionary benefits, or any other service-related benefits shall be extended to these individuals. The competent authority noted that while some employees cited family or health reasons, they failed to resume duties within the legally permissible timeframe, leading to the final administrative orders.

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INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

GOVERNMENT OF STATE OF PUNJAB

*Under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Govt extends One Time Settlement Scheme till March 2026, reinforcing its pro-business & trader-friendly governance*

*Punjab Govt extends One-Time Settlement Scheme-2025 for tax arrears until March 31, offers major relief to traders & industry: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Over 6,300 applications received; extension granted to accommodate industry demand and compliance pressure*

*OTS extension reflects our Govt’s commitment to ease compliance & resolve pre-GST era disputes: Harpal Singh Cheema*

CHANDIGARH, 1st January 2026

In a major relief to the trading community and industry of the state, the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has decided to extend the deadline for the ‘Punjab One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for Recovery of Outstanding Dues, 2025’ until March 31, 2026.

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema gave the formal approval for this extension following representations from various stakeholders, including the GST Practitioners Association (GSTPA) Punjab. The decision comes in direct response to the massive participation seen so far, with the department recording 6,348 applications to date.

The Punjab Government acknowledged that many taxpayers faced a heavy statutory compliance burden during the final months of 2025, which saw overlapping deadlines for various tax filings. Furthermore, practical challenges such as the pending service of VAT assessment orders had made it difficult for many eligible businesses to accurately determine their liabilities before the original December deadline.

The OTS Scheme-2025, which initially launched on October 1, remains one of the state’s most taxpayer-friendly initiatives. It is specifically aimed at reducing legacy litigation and unlocking revenue for the state by offering substantial relief. Depending on the specific demand amount, taxpayers can avail themselves of up to a 100% waiver on interest and penalties, alongside significant waivers on the principal tax amount.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this extension would provide a golden chance for genuine taxpayers to settle long-pending disputes under pre-GST Acts (including VAT and Central Sales Tax) without procedural stress.

The Minister further added, “Our government is committed to fostering a pro-business environment. By extending this deadline to March 31, 2026, we are ensuring that no genuine taxpayer is left behind due to administrative or timing hurdles.”

He urged all eligible businesses and rice millers to utilise this final window to clear their arrears and start the new financial year with a clean slate. “After the new deadline of March 31, 2026, the department will initiate strict recovery proceedings against defaulters who fail to opt for this settlement,” said Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.

Chandigarh, January 01:

The Punjab Government has launched the National Road Safety Month-2026 with the aim to avert road accidents in the state and raising public awareness about road safety.

Addressing the inauguration event today at the Kisaan Bhawan, Punjab Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar said that the road accidents are not just statistics but affect the lives of numerous families, leading to the loss of valuable human lives. He emphasized that road safety is not only the responsibility of the government but also of  every citizen in society. He further stated that until the government, administration, and the general public work together, there will not be considerable possibility to trim down the number of road accidents.

Transport Minister informed that during the National Road Safety Month (NRSM-26), extensive and multi-faceted awareness campaigns would be conducted across Punjab. As part of this, seminars on road safety, poster and slogan competitions, quiz programs, and interactive sessions will be organized in schools and colleges to educate young people about the importance of traffic rules from an early age.

The Minister also announced that special training sessions for commercial and private drivers; refresher courses for heavy vehicle drivers and focused campaigns will be carried out to ensure strict adherence to traffic rules. He mentioned that there will be strict action against violations such as not wearing helmets and seat belts, driving under the influence of mobile phones, speeding, and driving on the wrong side.

 Minister Bhullar also highlighted that driving under the influence of alcohol is a significant cause of road accidents. Keeping this in mind, special checks and enforcement campaigns will be conducted throughout the state during NRSM-26. Additionally, engineering improvements, signages, speed signboards, and other necessary measures will be implemented at identified black spots based on accident data from previous years.

The Minister appealed to all relevant departments, district administrations, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, industrial units, and the general public to play an active role in making National Road Safety Month-2026 a success. He directed that all the activities related to road safety should be implemented timely, effectively, and at the grassroots level, and better coordination among the departments should be ensured.

The Minister reiterated that road safety is a shared responsibility and is not limited to the traffic police or transport department alone. He emphasized the need to accelerate awareness campaigns to promote safe road behavior among the public. He also said that under the leadership of Chief Minister, Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann, the establishment of the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF) has led to a significant reduction in fatalities on both state and national highways. Furthermore, he advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel during foggy weather and to travel with extreme caution and restraint in low-visibility conditions.

The Lead Agency (Road Safety), Punjab, in collaboration with the Transport Department, Traffic Police, Health Department, Public Works Department, Education Department, and other related agencies, has prepared an extensive action plan for the month-long activities to ensure that road safety messages reach all sections of society effectively.

During the event, Mr. R. Venkata Ratnam, Director General, Lead Agency on Road Safety, Punjab, informed that each district road safety committee (DRSC) has been provided a financial assistance of ₹9.50 lakh under the CFDL scheme. Of this amount, ₹1 lakh has been allocated for purchasing alcohol meters to strengthen enforcement against driving under the influence, especially for commercial and special category drivers. He also stated that, keeping in mind the increased risk of accidents during foggy conditions, road-owning departments have been authorized to use grants for the installation/maintenance of streetlights, road markings, and other traffic safety measures.

He further informed that a detailed list of activities for National Road Safety Month would be finalized in meetings held on December 9 and 30 and sent to all relevant departments, Deputy Commissioners, Police Commissioners, and Senior Superintendents of Police for implementation.

Director General of Police (Traffic), Mr. Amardeep Singh Rai, emphasized the importance of strict enforcement to achieve the goal of zero tolerance for traffic violations. He discussed the positive impact of the establishment of the SSF which is currently monitoring nearly 4,000 kilometers of national and state highways daily. He mentioned that the introduction of SSF has led to a reduction of nearly 50% in fatalities on these roads, which is expected to significantly reduce the total road fatalities in Punjab. He also stated that special enforcement campaigns during the National Road Safety Month will focus on issues like driving under the influence, over-speeding, lane violations, and other serious traffic offenses.

State Transport Commissioner, Mrs. Parneet Shergill, shared that the process for issuing driving licenses has been completely overhauled, making the testing process stricter and more transparent. As a result, the passing rate for driving tests has significantly decreased, ensuring improvements in driving standards across the state.

During the awareness activities, a motorcycle rally was organized near Bestech Mall, SAS Nagar (Mohali), with nearly 200 delivery employees (Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, etc.) participating. Helmets, t-shirts, and caps with road safety messages were distributed to the participants. The rally was flagged off by Mr. R. Venkata Ratnam, Director General, Lead Agency on Road Safety, Punjab, and Mr. Amardeep Singh Rai, DGP (Traffic), Punjab, reinforcing the state’s commitment to increasing road safety awareness among high-risk road users.

On this occasion, Director General Road Safety, R. Venkata Ratnam, DGP Traffic Punjab A. S. Rai, State Transport Commissioner Parneet Shergill, members of the Punjab State Road Safety Council, senior officials from various departments, Traffic Police officers, representatives of road safety-related organizations, heads of educational institutions, and social service organizations were present.

CHANDIGARH, January 1:

          With the ongoing decisive war against drugs ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has completed 10 months, Punjab Police has registered 29,351 first information reports (FIRs) and arrested 42,622 drug smugglers leading to the recovery of 1849 kg heroin since March 1, 2025.

          Since the launch of this anti-drug drive, Punjab Police, under the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, has been conducting operations daily simultaneously in all the 28 Police districts of the state. Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

          Apart from the recovery of 1849 kg haul of heroin, police have also seized 599 kg opium, 272 quintals poppy husk, 51 kg charas, 624 kg ganja, 28 kg ICE, 46 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets, and ₹15.26 crore drug money.

          On Day 306, Punjab Police arrested 49 drug smugglers and recovered 468 grams heroin, 202 intoxicant pills and Rs 2,500 drug money from their possession.

          Over 100 Police teams, comprising over 700 police personnel, under the supervision of 61 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 257 locations across the state leading to the registration of 38 first information reports (FIRs) across the state, he said, while adding that police teams have also checked as many as 271 suspicious persons during the day long operation.

          Meanwhile, the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 21 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment.

Chandigarh, January 1 — Haryana Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister, Rao Narbir Singh said that the Haryana Government is committed to the conservation of the Aravali mountain range. With this objective, the state government is effectively implementing the Haryana Aravali Green Wall Project, which focuses on addressing major environmental challenges such as desertification, land degradation, and drought. A detailed action plan has been prepared to implement this project by the year 2030.

Expressing gratitude to the Central Government, he said that Haryana getting the opportunity to host this important event at the IUCN Pavilion is a matter of pride for the state.

He said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, landmark initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ have been launched, which have transformed environmental conservation into a mass movement. These initiatives are inspiring people at the global, national, and local levels to adopt sustainable lifestyles.

Inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision, and under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the Haryana Government has launched innovative initiatives such as Oxy Van, Pran Vayu Devta Yojana, and Van Mitra Yojana to promote community participation. These schemes will prove to be a strong pillar in the direction of Aravali conservation.

The Forest Minister said that a proposal has been prepared to provide annual honorarium to farmers for the conservation of native tree species such as ‘Jati’ and ‘Roheda’ in the southern Haryana regions of Mahendragarh, Rewari, Narnaul, Charkhi Dadri, Badhra, and Loharu, on the lines of the Pran Vayu Devta Yojana. This initiative aims to maintain greenery in the Aravali region and directly involve local communities in conservation efforts.

Aravali is the backbone of Haryana’s environmental balance

Rao Narbir Singh said that the Aravali mountain range holds immense ecological significance for Haryana. It acts as a natural barrier against desertification and is a vital source of biodiversity, water security, and climate balance. The Aravali plays a crucial role in groundwater recharge, improvement of air quality, mitigation of climate change impacts, and supporting livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions.

He said that the Aravali range is globally recognized as a landscape of cultural and historical significance, symbolizing the deep relationship between humans and nature.

The Forest Minister said that through the Aravali Green Wall Project, Haryana is committed to cooperation with all Aravali states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi. Projects such as the Gurugram Aravali Biodiversity Park are successful models of ecosystem restoration and have been declared India’s first OECM (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure), validating IUCN’s global guidelines.

He further said that to connect youth with this noble cause and generate local employment opportunities, Van Mitras have been appointed at the village level across the state. Under the Pran Vayu Devta Yojana, trees older than 75 years are being provided an annual pension of Rs. 2,500. To improve air quality in urban areas and prevent desertification, Oxy Vans are also being established.

Rao Narbir Singh said that Haryana welcomes the new definition of the Aravali mountain range given by the Supreme Court. He informed that the state government has prepared a proposal to conserve nearly 90 percent of the Aravali area. The government aims to create green employment, enhance public participation, and strengthen biodiversity conservation and environmentally friendly resource management in the Aravali region.

Chandigarh, January 1 — The Haryana Government has approved a significant series of promotions for Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers across multiple batches, effective from January 1, 2026. Orders in this regard were issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi.

The government has promoted Sh. Shyamal Misra, IAS officer of 1996 batch, in the Chief Secretary’s Grade (Level 17 in the Pay Matrix).

In addition, four IAS officers from the 2001 batch have been promoted to the Higher Administrative Grade (Level 15 in the Pay Matrix). The officers promoted within the state cadre are Sh. Vijay Singh Dahiya and Smt. Amneet P. Kumar. The government has also granted proforma promotion in the Higher Administrative Grade to two officers currently on central deputation: Sh. Vikas Gupta and Sh. Pankaj Yadav.

The government has also promoted five officers from the 2010 batch to the Super Time Scale, categorized as Level 14 in the Pay Matrix. The promoted officers include Sh. Prabhjot Singh, Sh. Rajnarayan Kaushik, Sh. Jitender Kumar, and Smt. Hema Sharma. Dr. Garima Mittal, also of the 2010 batch, has been granted a proforma promotion to the Super Time Scale.

Further, eight officers from the 2013 batch have been granted the Selection Grade at Level 13 in the Pay Matrix. The list includes Sh. Parth Gupta, Sh. Ajay Kumar, Sh. Pradeep Dahiya, Smt. Sangeeta Tetarwal, Smt. Mandeep Kaur, Smt. Pratima Chaudhary, and Sh. Virender Kumar Dahiya. Sh. Nishant Kumar Yadav, currently on deputation with the Chandigarh Administration, received a proforma promotion in this grade.

The government has also promoted nine officers from the 2017 batch to the Junior Administrative Grade of IAS at Level 12 in the Pay Matrix. The promoted officers are Sh. Vishram Kumar Meena, Sh. Swapnil Ravindra Patil, Sh. Sahil Gupta, Dr. Vaishali Sharma, Sh. Mahabir Prasad, Sh. Mahender Pal, Sh. Satpal Sharma, Sh. Amar Deep Singh, and Sh. Sushil Kumar.

In addition, seven IAS officers of the 2022 batch have been promoted to the Senior Time Scale, (Level 11 in the Pay Matrix), effective from January 1, 2026. The seven promoted IAS officers are Sh. Ankit Kumar Chouksey, Smt. Anjali Shrotriya, Sh. Arpit Sangal, Ms. Jyoti, Dr. Rahul, Sh. Shashvat Sangwan, and Sh. Utsav Anand.

Chandigarh, January 1 — Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the state government has launched a campaign to make Haryana a leading state in the country in development. In the New Year, this campaign will be given fresh momentum. The state government will work with focused attention on three core objectives based on the principles of Antyodaya.

The Chief Minister made these remarks while addressing a press conference on Thursday. Cooperation Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma was also present.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the government’s first objective is women empowerment. Under this, providing financial assistance to all eligible women through the Pandit Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana is a top priority of the government. So far, an amount of Rs. 250 crore has been disbursed in two installments to 8 lakh women under this scheme. He appealed to women across the state who are eligible under the scheme to register on the portal and avail its benefits.

The Chief Minister said that the second objective of the state government is to provide maximum employment opportunities to the youth. The government has prepared a driven roadmap for 2026. Under this roadmap, Haryana AI Mission Centres will be established in Gurugram and Panchkula, where youth will be trained in future technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and advanced robotics. The government is actively working in this direction. He also informed that an advertisement for the recruitment of 5,500 constables in the Police Department has been issued today.

He said that the third objective of the state government is to promote nature-friendly farming. Under this initiative, farmers will be encouraged to grow alternative crops in place of paddy. A target has been set to bring one lakh acres of land under natural farming through this scheme.

The Chief Minister further said that the accelerated completion of the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor within this year is also a key objective of the government. This project will establish new dimensions of better connectivity, reduce traffic pressure around Delhi and the NCR region, and give a boost to industrial development. He added that the government will similarly expedite several new projects in the New Year.

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said with the aim of ensuring balanced development of the region and improving basic civic amenities, the government has granted Municipal Committee status to Kunjpura (Karnal), Matlauda (Panipat) and Shahzadpur (Ambala).

On this occasion, Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Social Justice, Empowerment, Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Welfare and Antyodaya (SEWA) Department, Smt. G. Anupama, Director of Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Sh. Parth Gupta, Additional Director (Administration) Smt. Varsha Khangwal, and Media Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh. Praveen Attrey were present.