Chandigarh, October 24 – The Haryana Government today announced an enhancement in the rates of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) payable to its employees and pensioners/family pensioners. Those drawing their pay and pension/family pension as per the 7th Pay/Pension Commission Structure will now receive DA and DR at the rate of 58 percent, increased from the existing 55 percent of the basic pay and pension/family pension, with effect from 1st July, 2025.

According to the letter issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, who is also holding the charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, the enhanced rate of DA and DR shall be paid with the pay and pension/family pension for the month of October, 2025, while the arrears for the months of July to September, 2025 shall be paid in November, 2025.

The payment on account of DA and DR involving fractions of fifty paise and above shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee, and fractions of less than fifty paise shall be ignored.

Chandigarh, October 24 – Haryana is taking significant steps to establish itself as a leading hub for electronics manufacturing by actively seeking to attract investments under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) of the Government of India. The state will soon announce a slew of incentives under its Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) Policy, which aims to offer a wide range of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to attract investment. In this direction, Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi chaired a high-level meeting today to review strategies for setting up electronic component manufacturing plants in the state and to accelerate the growth of the electronics component manufacturing ecosystem.

The Chief Secretary emphasized that the core objective of the state’s initiative is to attract major investments, create employment opportunities and strengthen Haryana’s integration into the global electronics value chain. He noted that while India’s domestic electronic production has witnessed impressive growth—rising at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% since FY15— the design and component manufacturing ecosystem remains at a nascent stage.

Currently, Haryana contributes about 2.9% (USD 0.8 billion) to India’s total electronics exports and supports around 1.3 million jobs in the sector. Sh. Rastogi underlined that Haryana has immense potential to expand this contribution through targeted policy support, strategic investor engagement, and the creation of enabling infrastructure such as the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster at IMT Sohna.

Under the draft new Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) Policy, incentives offered include reimbursement of capital and operational expenditures, including expenditure incurred for green energy projects, technology acquisition etc., support for capacity building and support for development of research and development and innovation facilities.

Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal informed that the Government of India’s ECMS provides multiple incentive options, including turnover-linked and capital investment-based benefits ranging between 1% and 25%. To complement these, Haryana is also exploring the provision of additional top-up incentives similar to those offered by other progressive states such as Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, thereby enhancing the state’s competitiveness in attracting ECMS-approved investors.

The Chief Secretary directed the Industries and Commerce Department to prepare a detailed plan in this regard and undertake proactive investor outreach. As part of this exercise, one-on-one meetings will be held with 11 applicants who have already shown interest in establishing ECMS-approved manufacturing units in Haryana by November 10. In addition, outreach efforts will target 50 other companies that are yet to finalize their project locations.

To ensure smooth coordination and investor facilitation, the state government will appoint dedicated relationship managers for each potential investor. These officers will provide end-to-end assistance, including land identification, regulatory clearances, coordination with departments, and incentive processing.

Sh. Rastogi emphasized that Haryana’s approach would be both facilitative and competitive, ensuring that investors find a conducive ecosystem to set up advanced electronic component manufacturing facilities.

Additional Chief Secretary, Citizen Resources Information Department, Smt. G. Anupama, Director General, Industries & Commerce, Sh. Yash Garg, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, October 24 – The sacred land of Haryana witnessed a historic and spiritual moment today as the “Charan Suhave Guru Charan Yatra”, carrying the Holy Joda Sahib of Sarbansdani Dasam Patshah Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, was accorded a grand welcome in Faridabad. This unique confluence of faith, devotion, and unity was visible in every corner of the city.

Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini attended the welcome ceremony. The Chief Minister received the “Charan Suhave Guru Charan Yatra” at Sri Guru Darbar Sahib Gurudwara in NIT-5, Faridabad. Sh Nayab Singh Saini also welcomed Union Minister Sardar Hardeep Singh Puri, who was accompanying the Yatra, on his arrival in Haryana. He honoured the Sant Sangat and the Panj Pyaras (the five beloved ones) who greeted the Yatra by presenting them with turbans at Sri Guru Darbar Sahib Gurudwara. Before the Yatra’s departure, the Chief Minister bowed his head at the Gurudwara and listened to the ardaas. He then had darshan of the holy Joda Sahib. Earlier, Sardar Ravinder Singh Rana, member of the Haryana Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Inder Jeet Singh, head of Sri Guru Darbar Sahib Gurudwara, and representatives of the Sikh community welcomed and honoured the Chief Minister.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that Faridabad was the first stop of this great pilgrimage, which began in Delhi and would conclude at Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib in Bihar. This city, known as the gateway to Delhi, has now been sanctified by the dust of the Guru’s feet. Any place touched by the Guru’s holy feet becomes a pilgrimage site, and today, Faridabad has become a sacred destination for lakhs of devotees. He expressed his gratitude to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the organizers of this pilgrimage for their efforts in organizing this spiritual journey.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji: A Symbol of Sacrifice, Valor, and Justice

Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that today, with the arrival of this sacred Joda Sahib, the divine brilliance, sacrifice, and devotion of Dasmesh Pita, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, have come alive among us. He sacrificed everything for the protection of faith, the nation, and humanity. Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave his life in the struggle against Mughal oppression. To fight injustice, he transformed ordinary individual into the Khalsa — a force dedicated to upholding righteousness and protecting the weak. This holy Joda Sahib reminds us of his great pledge, “Sawa lakh se ek ladaun, tabe Gobind Singh naam kahaun.” This vow was not merely about battle, but about self-respect, courage, and justice — values that remain the guiding principles of life for every Indian even today. He added that Guru Gobind Singh Ji made the supreme sacrifice of his four sons so that the sons and daughters of this nation could live in safety and dignity.

Mata Sahib Kaur Ji: An Embodiment of Compassion and Strength

The Chief Minister said that this Yatra also carries the sacred Joda Sahib of Mata Sahib Kaur Ji. Mata Sahib Kaur Ji holds the revered title of the Mother of the Khalsa Panth. When Guru Ji established the Khalsa Panth, he asked Mata Sahib Kaur Ji to add sugar crystals (patashas) to the Amrit (nectar) to ensure that the followers of the Khalsa would possess both bravery and sweetness and compassion.

“Charan Suhave” Yatra, a spiritual bridge from Delhi to Patna Sahib

Nayab Singh Saini said that this ‘Charan Suhave’ Yatra is creating a cultural and spiritual bridge between Delhi, the capital of India, and Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government is fully committed to following the path shown by the Gurus and preserving their legacy of sacrifice. The Government has celebrated the 400th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the 550th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and the 350th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in a grand and dignified manner. In addition, the Government has donated the land where Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji meditated for 40 days to Gurudwara Shri Chilla Sahib in Sirsa.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government will commemorate the 350th shahidi diwas of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji with reverence and devotion across Haryana. From November 1 to November 24, four yatras will be organized throughout the state, culminating on November 25 at the sacred city of Kurukshetra — a site sanctified by the presence of the Gurus over time. The Government has prepared a comprehensive action plan for this purpose.

He further stated that the Government passed a resolution during the monsoon session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly to provide government employment to one member of each of the 121 families who lost a relative in the 1984 riots. This decision, also approved by the Cabinet, stands as a testament to the State’s respect and compassion for the Sikh community. He added that this Yatra, while reminding us of the great

tradition, also reinforces India’s timeless values of unity, courage, and compassion.

Present on the occasion were former Minister and MLA Mool Chand Sharma, Seema Trikha, Bawal MLA Dr. Krishan Kumar, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Rajiv Jaitley, Faridabad Mayor Praveen Batra Joshi and other dignitaries.

Chandigarh, October 24 – In a major relief to sugarcane growers, the Haryana Government has enhanced the State Advised Price (SAP) of sugarcane by Rs. 15 per quintal, reaffirming its commitment to farmers’ welfare. With this revision announced by Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana has now become the state offering the highest sugarcane price in the country. The SAP for the early maturing variety has been raised from Rs. 400 to Rs. 415 per quintal, while that for the late maturing variety has increased from Rs. 393 to Rs. 408 per quintal.

Several representatives of farmers’ organizations from various parts of the state met Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana today to express their gratitude for this historic decision.

Welcoming the decision, the farmers said that the increased SAP would help balance their rising input costs and provide economic relief.  This has proved to be a Diwali gift for us. The government has shown that it stands firmly with the farmers, said the farmers.

Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that the increase in sugarcane prices reflects the government’s strong commitment to ensuring that farmers receive the best value for their hard work. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister,  Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana continues to be a leading state in safeguarding farmers’ interests and promoting their development.

Chandigarh, October 24

Haryana Industries & Commerce Department and SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd. (SVCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of SIDBI, today signed a Contribution Agreement (CA) for capital commitment of Rs. 100 crores to Atmanirbhar Startup Venture Fund, a SEBI-registered Category-I Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) – Venture Capital Fund (VCF) managed by SVCL, having a target corpus of  Rs. 250 Crores.

During the recent interaction with the Startups and prominent industrialists in September 2025, Chief Minister,  Sh. Nayab Singh Saini reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing comprehensive support and a robust platform for startups, with a vision of positioning Haryana a global hub for innovation and scripting a new chapter of prosperity through entrepreneurship.

In line with this vision, the Contribution Agreement was signed by Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner & Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, on behalf of the Government of Haryana, and Sh. Arup Kumar, Managing Director and CEO, on behalf of SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd. (SVCL).

This initiative is in line with the Budget Announcement of the Government of Haryana for the creation of a dedicated Venture Capital Fund to promote entrepreneurship and support youth in establishing start-ups in terms of financial assistance as well as developing market linkages. The Fund targets scalable, sustainable start-ups across diverse sectors, including AI, health-tech, agri-tech, clean energy, and more. It supports market access, business growth, and tech adoption, while encouraging private sector participation and institutional investment for start-ups in Haryana.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in Haryana’s journey to becoming a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, and reflects the Government’s commitment to building a vibrant start-up ecosystem in the state.

During the signing, Sh. Yash Garg, Director General Haryana Industries & Commerce Department along with officials from SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd. (SVCL) – Sh. Kiran Poojary, Asst. Vice President and CS and Ms. Pradnya S., Senior Investment Associate, were also present.

Chandigarh, October 24 – Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi today reviewed the arrangements for the two-month-long nationwide campaign – ‘Sardar@150 Unity March’ being organized to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The review meeting was held in accordance with the communication received from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, and the office of the Union Minister of Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs. The Chief Secretary directed officials to ensure active participation of all universities, colleges, technical institutes, and schools across the state in this landmark national programme.

As part of the celebrations, district-level padyatras will be organized across Haryana on October 31, 2025, coinciding with Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, followed by a 10-day national padyatra — ‘Sardar@150 Unity March’ — from November 26 to December 6, 2025.

The initiative, led by MY Bharat under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, aims to promote national unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility among India’s youth. It also seeks to inspire them to embrace the ideals of ‘Ek Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat’, echoing Sardar Patel’s vision of a strong and united India.

The Chief Secretary emphasized that District Core Committees (DCCs) should be established in all districts to plan and coordinate padyatras efficiently. Under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, the committee shall consist of Retired IAS officers, District Youth Officers, Programme Officers, NSS, MY Bharat representatives, and public representatives such as MPs or MLAs and line Departments.

At the Directorate level, Sh. Raj Kumar, Additional Director, has been designated as the State Nodal Officer for coordination, while at the district level, principals of government ITIs will serve as District Nodal Officers to oversee the smooth execution of activities and ensure wide youth participation from Youth Empowerment & Entrepreneurship Dept, Haryana.

The campaign will be initiated by the District Youth Officer (DYO), MY Bharat at all districts and all the departments will coordinate with him/her. The DYO, MY Bharat will be the member secretary and will oversee the entire arrangements of the Padyatra. 

The ‘Sardar@150 Unity March’ is part of the broader Viksit Bharat Padyatra initiative, inspired by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (people’s participation) in ‘Rashtranirman’ (nation-building).

The campaign underscores the pivotal role of the Amrit Peedhi—the youth of the Amrit Kaal—in carrying forward Sardar Patel’s legacy of unity, integrity, and strength. The Chief Secretary urged all departments and institutions to extend full cooperation to make this national celebration a grand success.

Chandigarh, October 24 – Preparations for the Shri Kapal Mochan – Shri Adi Badri Mela 2025 in Yamunanagar district of Haryana are in full swing. Administrative and departmental teams are working round the clock to ensure that the lakhs of pilgrims visiting the holy site face no inconvenience. The entire fairground is being illuminated with LED lights, and special emphasis is being laid on security and cleanliness.

Sharing information in this regard an official spokesperson said that all preparations for the Mela are in their final stage. Cleanliness work has been completed for the convenience of pilgrims, and regular sprinkling of water will be done on roads to prevent dust. To facilitate smooth movement, e-rickshaw services will operate from VyasPur to the Mela venue. Besides this, the Transport Department is arranging extra buses to ensure easy access for pilgrims arriving from various parts of the state.

The spokesperson further said that the Electricity Department has installed new poles and transformers in the Mela area. Permanent LED lighting has been arranged around the three sacred ponds, Kapal Mochan, Rin Mochan, and Surajkund, ensuring adequate lighting throughout the day and night. The lighting arrangements will not be limited to the Mela period but will continue to attract visitors throughout the year. In addition to the deployment of police personnel, over 100 CCTV cameras and a drone surveillance system will be used to keep a close watch over the entire Mela area, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said that for pilgrims’ convenience, the Mela will also have permanent and temporary toilets, drinking water facilities, medical camps, adequate availability of food, proper barricading, road repair, and well-coordinated police arrangements, all of which are being completed on schedule.

Chandigarh, October 24:

For the bye-election of 21-Tarn Taran seat of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, five candidates have withdrawn their nomination papers.

A spokesperson of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, informed that today, the last day for withdrawal of nominations, five candidates named Harpal Singh, Nirmal Kaur, Gurmeet Kaur, Sarika Jorha, and Harpreet Singh have withdrawn their nomination papers.

The spokesperson further said that after the scrutiny of nomination papers, a total of 20 nominations were found valid. Now, after the withdrawal of five nominations, the total number of candidates left in the fray is 15, which are

Sukhwinder Kaur (Shiromani Akali Dal), Harjit Singh Sandhu (Bharatiya Janata Party), Harmeet Singh Sandhu (Aam Aadmi Party), Karanbir Singh (Indian National Congress), Sham Lal Gandhi (Sacho Sach Party), Naib Singh (Nationalist Justice Party), Arun Kumar Khurmi Rajpoot (Independent), Harpal Singh Bhangu (Independent), Harbrinder Kaur Usman (Independent), Advocate Komalpreet Singh (Independent), Jaswant Singh Sohal (Independent), Neetu Shutteran Wala (Independent), Mandeep Singh (Independent), Mandeep Singh Khalsa (Independent), and Vijay Kumar (Independent).

 He said that polling will be held on November 11 from 7 AM to 6 PM, and the results will be announced on November 14, 2025, after the counting of votes.

CHANDIGARH, October 24:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 237th day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 298 locations on Friday leading to the arrest of 94 drug smugglers after registration of 73 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 33,950 in 237 days.

          The raids have resulted in recovery of 197 grams heroin, 40 kg poppy husk, 1029 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 12,800 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

          Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has 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.

          Over 120 Police teams, comprising over 1000 police personnel, under the supervision of 62 gazetted officers have conducted 298 raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 340 suspicious persons during the day-long operation.

          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 44 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Chandigarh, October 22:

After the scrutiny of nomination papers for the 21-Tarn Taran Assembly Constituency bye-election, a total of six candidates’ nominations have been rejected, as per a spokesperson of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab.

The spokesperson informed that during the scrutiny conducted on Wednesday, nomination papers of four covering candidates and two independent candidates were found invalid in accordance with the Election Commission’s rules and guidelines. The rejected candidates include Leena Sandhu, covering candidate of the Indian National Congress; Kanchanpreet Kaur, covering candidate of the Shiromani Akali Dal; Sucha Singh, covering candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party; and Rajesh Walia, covering candidate of the Aam Aadmi Party. In addition, nomination papers of two independent candidates, Lakha Singh and Sanjeev Singh, were also rejected as they did not meet the prescribed requirements of the Election Commission.

The spokesperson further stated that October 24 is the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers, after which the final list of contesting candidates for the Tarn Taran Assembly bye-election will be published.