Chandigarh, August 22 — Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Punjab’s politics is passing through a phase where a deep conflict appears to be emerging between power, stability and public interest. Referring to the recent developments, he said political instability in the state is increasing.

He said Punjab today needs a double-engine government that not only makes promises but also has the ability to fulfil them. The state needs leadership that is not afraid to take decisions, puts the interests of the people above everything else and works in the national interest. All this is possible under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi. If the Bharatiya Janata Party forms the government in Punjab, it will work towards building a Viksit Punjab on the lines of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat.

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini was addressing a programme organised for representatives of the Valmiki and Sikh communities of Punjab at his official residence, Sant Kabir Kutir, in Chandigarh on Saturday.

On the occasion, Sh. Randeep Singh Gill, Vice Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Congress SC Wing and National Chairman of All India Akhil Valmiki Dharam Samaj, from the Attari Assembly constituency of Punjab, joined the Punjab BJP along with dozens of workers after leaving the Congress. The Chief Minister welcomed all of them into the party and assured them that they would be given full respect and honour in the party.

The Chief Minister said that the BJP has already fulfilled 70 of the 217 commitments made in its Haryana Assembly election manifesto within just 18 months. He said the government has provided government jobs to youth without parchi and kharchi, while in Punjab, youth are facing discrimination in the name of employment.

Chief Minister Sh. Saini said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the country has witnessed unprecedented progress. Revolutionary changes have taken place in road and rail connectivity, while a record number of new medical colleges, universities, IITs and IIMs have been established.

Highlighting Haryana’s progress, he said medical colleges have already been started in 17 of the state’s 23 districts.

Emphasising the bright future of the youth, the Chief Minister said the Haryana Government has launched a comprehensive campaign to protect young people from the menace of drugs. Strict action is being taken against drug peddlers. While, due to the Punjab Government’s neglect, the youth there are increasingly falling prey to drugs, Haryana has established 2,000 sports nurseries to connect young people with sports, where lakhs of youth practise every day.

He said the results of this sports policy are evident in the achievements of Haryana’s young men and women at the recently held Commonwealth Games. It is a matter of pride that out of the seven gold medals won by India, five were secured by daughters of Haryana, bringing laurels to the country and the state on the global stage.

Haryana Chief Minister’s OSD Sh. Bharat Bhushan Bharti, Sh. Raj Kumar Valmiki and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, August 22: The Haryana Government has expressed sympathy and consideration towards the demands of sanitation workers and fire service employees and has given in-principle approval to most of their demands.

In this regard, the Municipal Employees’ Union, Haryana, and the Fire Employees’ Union have been informed that the government has agreed in principle to their demands, which mainly include:

Uniform allowance: ₹440 per month, to be paid along with salary.

Equal pay for equal work and arrears: Payment has already been made to eligible employees.

LTC benefit: The benefit is being provided.

Minimum wages: In-principle approval to pay minimum wages as determined under the Minimum Wages Act.

Employees’ State Insurance (ESI): In-principle approval to extend the benefit to eligible employees.

Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF): In-principle approval to extend the benefit to eligible employees.

Risk allowance: In-principle approval to provide ₹2,000 per month risk allowance to sanitation workers.

Compassionate assistance: In-principle approval to increase the amount from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

Accident insurance: In-principle approval for ₹50 lakh in case of death and ₹25 lakh in case of permanent disability.

PM-JAY: In-principle approval to include eligible employees working on municipal rolls and their daily-wage workers under the scheme.

Leave: In-principle approval for 20 days of earned leave and 20 days of casual leave.

Promotion: In-principle approval for providing a provision for promotion of sanitation workers and sewer-men to clerical (Group-C) posts.

The main issue under discussion is the regularisation of sanitation workers and fire service employees working on municipal rolls. The government is seeking legal opinion on the matter.

The government is prepared to bring these employees under the ambit of the Haryana Contractual Employees (Service Security) Act, 2024, so that they can receive benefits at par with regular employees. The government is also prepared to ensure job security up to the age of 60 years for these employees.

Going a step further, the government is also considering providing an additional 15 per cent amount over and above the minimum salary applicable to these employees. At present, sanitation workers working on municipal rolls receive ₹19,000 per month, which the government has considered increasing to ₹21,000 per month.

Under the Haryana Contractual Employees (Service Security) Act, 2024, the government has also agreed in principle to extend several other benefits to these employees, including annual salary increments, death-cum-retirement gratuity, maternity leave, and ex-gratia financial assistance and ex-gratia appointment under H.K.R.N., among other benefits, broadly equivalent to those available to regular employees.

Thus, the government has, in principle, accepted almost all the demands raised by the sanitation and fire service employees’ unions.

However, due to the continued insistence of sanitation workers, not only is the sanitation system being affected, but the general public is also facing inconvenience.

Government employees going on strike does not mean that they can prevent other employees who are willing to perform sanitation duties from doing so. Such action is unlawful. In such a situation, apart from taking action against employees who violate the law, the government has no other option.

Therefore, if any employee takes the law into their own hands, legal action will be taken against them strictly in accordance with the rules.

Chandigarh

The Sirsa MP, Former Union Minister, General Secretary of All India Congress Committee and CWC member Kumari Selja accused the BJP-led Centre of mishandling sugar supply and demand, alleging that rising prices and declining stocks were the result of flawed policy decisions and weak management.

In a statement, Kumari Selja said the government should have anticipated pressure on domestic sugar supplies and formulated a policy keeping future consumption in mind. Instead, she alleged, sugar exports continued while a significant portion of sugarcane was diverted towards ethanol production, putting additional pressure on domestic availability.

Kumari Selja said reports indicated that sugar prices had risen by nearly 40% over the past three months, while prices of several other essential food items had also increased. She said the rising cost of basic commodities was putting additional pressure on household budgets, particularly for poor and middle-class families.

According to Kumari Selja reports suggested that the opening stock with sugar mills could be substantially lower than last year. She said the situation had reportedly reached a point where the government might have to consider duty-free imports of around one million tonnes of raw sugar to meet domestic requirements. “If the country has to depend on imported sugar to meet its domestic demand after years of being a major sugar producer, serious questions arise over supply management and policy planning,” she said.

Kumari Selja said the government’s ethanol-blending policy was aimed at reducing petroleum imports and saving foreign exchange, but domestic sugar availability and prices should not have been compromised in pursuit of that objective. She also urged the Centre to address consumer concerns regarding vehicle compatibility and mileage associated with higher ethanol blending through clear and factual information.

Kumari Selja demanded that the government make public data on sugar production, stocks, domestic consumption, exports and the quantity of sugarcane being diverted for ethanol production. She called for a long-term policy that ensured remunerative returns to sugarcane farmers, balanced ethanol production and affordable sugar for consumers.

:-The ‘Removing eligible voters’ names in SIR exercise an attack on democratic rights’:-Kumari Selja

On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Uttarakhand, Kumari Selja alleged that removing the names of eligible voters without due process amounted to an attack on their democratic rights.

She criticised the reported stopping of Congress leaders who had gone to submit a memorandum to the Election Commission, saying the constitutional body must function independently, transparently and impartially. Kumari Selja demanded a transparent SIR process, a fair review of deleted names and restoration of eligible voters’ names wherever they had been wrongly removed.

Chandigarh, August 20: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated that the BJP government is exploiting the youth through the HKRN (Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam). Therefore, the Congress demands that all HKRN employees be regularized and granted the same pay scales, Dearness Allowance (DA), promotion avenues, reservation benefits, and retirement benefits as permanent employees.

Hooda said the system operating under the Kaushal Nigam is not only exploitative but also unconstitutional. The Congress will also meet the Governor to submit a memorandum regarding this issue.

Commenting on the plight of the ‘Kaushal’ (skill-based) workers, Hooda remarked that they are neither truly unemployed nor do they hold standard salaried positions, the youth have been reduced to daily wagers. “Educated young people are left helpless and are facing repeated exploitation. The practice of deploying youth under the HKRN system and jeopardizing their futures must stop. Young people need dignified salaries and regular employment, not mere daily wages,” he said.

“Article 16 of the Constitution guarantees equal opportunity in employment. Why, then, is a permanent employee paid ₹80,000 for the same work while an HKRN employee receives only ₹20,000? Equal pay for equal work and the right to permanent employment are the entitlements of the youth. The HKRN system should be abolished by absorbing all employees into permanent roles, and transparent, regular recruitment should be conducted for sanctioned posts,” he questioned.

Addressing a press conference at his residence, Hooda noted that the Congress had organized a massive protest in Panchkula in support of these skill-based workers. “Despite rain and inclement weather, a large number of people participated, and the protest garnered support from contractual employees across the state,” he stated.

He stated that a movement by contractual employees is underway across the state. He added that piles of garbage have accumulated throughout the state because the government has ignored the demands of sanitation workers. “During the Congress government’s tenure, 11,000 rural and 14,000 urban sanitation workers were appointed; however, the BJP government has not regularized their employment to date,” he said.

Responding to questions from journalists, he stated that Abhay Chautala had made a false statement against him, and said he intended to drag the INLD leader to court by filing both criminal and civil cases, as Chautala had made two false claims: one regarding a meeting with Amit Shah and the other concerning a partnership in a private company. He clarified that he had neither met Amit Shah nor had any connection with that company.

Responding to the BJP’s remarks on the Congress party’s sports policy, Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated that the policy implemented during the Congress government’s tenure continues to be praised across the country and the world. “This was because, for the first time the Congress government directly appointed 17 medal-winning athletes as DSPs, not just in the country but globally,” he said.

Furthermore, the Congress government formulated a policy offering the world’s highest cash rewards of up to ₹5 crore to medal-winning athletes. They also launched the ‘SPAT’ games competition for 20 lakh children to nurture talent starting at the school level and introduced diet allowances for young athletes at the school and academy levels.

“The result of these initiatives was that out of the 38 gold medals the country won at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, athletes from Haryana alone secured 22,” he stated.

Speaking on the Commonwealth Games, Hooda extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the medal-winning athletes. He also expressed satisfaction that the results of the sports policy, infrastructure strengthening, and sports academies established during the Congress government’s tenure are still evident years later. However, he noted that the BJP government had altered the Congress-era sports policy, thereby depriving athletes of their rewards, recognition, and appointments.

Meanwhile, MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra mentioned that the Congress party had submitted its grievances regarding the state’s SIR (Special Investment Region) policy to the Election Commission and had requested an additional month for the SIR process.

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini directed officials that if any issue related to Property ID reaches the Chief Minister’s Office, immediate action will be taken against the concerned officer. Therefore, officers should ensure that such issues are resolved promptly at their own level.

The Chief Minister was chairing a meeting on Property ID with officials of the Urban Local Bodies, Town and Country Planning, and Revenue Departments in Chandigarh. Revenue and Disaster Management and Urban Local Bodies Minister Sh. Vipul Goel was also present at the meeting.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that a coordination meeting should be held between the Centre for Good Governance (CGG) and the Urban Local Bodies Department to ensure speedy resolution of Property ID-related issues so that the public does not face any inconvenience. He also directed officials to streamline the entire system.

The Chief Minister said that out of 4,42,570 properties, 2,79,658 Property IDs have already been approved. The remaining Property IDs will also be completed soon. Similarly, out of 63,878 Property IDs proposed to be divided, 36,545 have already been approved. He said that out of 50,50,072 properties, 19,403 objections related to local bodies are pending and these will also be resolved at the earliest.

While seeking detailed information regarding Property IDs, the Chief Minister said that if there is a vacant plot within the boundaries of a valid colony, it should also be considered valid and necessary action should be taken by charging an extension fee on the lines of HSVP. Similarly, if commercial activities are being carried out on any plot or in any house, permission should be granted after charging development charges and other applicable fees.

The Chief Minister said that land should be assessed by categorising it as agricultural, commercial and residential. Similarly, action should be taken to declare all colonies that fulfil the prescribed norms as valid colonies. He also directed that prompt action be taken to resolve mismatches between Family ID and Property ID.

He said that in rural areas, out of 1.39 crore Property IDs, 31 lakh Property IDs have been matched with Aadhaar cards. The remaining Property IDs will be matched within approximately one year. Besides, problems related to Property IDs in urban areas will be resolved under the new policy.

The Chief Minister also held detailed discussions regarding bulk generation of new Property IDs by builders and creation of individual sub-IDs on individual and old registries, and directed officials to ensure their resolution.

Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh. Arun Gupta, OSD to the Chief Minister Sh. B.B. Bharti, Deputy Principal Secretary Dr. Yashpal Yadav, Commissioner and Secretary Sh. Ashok Kumar Meena, Director, ULB, Sh. Mukul Kumar, and several senior officers were present at the meeting.

SANGRUR; 19th August 2026:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday joined the Sangat at Mastuana Sahib for the Kirtan Darbar dedicated to the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj, paying obeisance and reiterating his government’s commitment to taking Guru Sahib’s great life, philosophy and sacred teachings to every household. He said Guruji Maharaj’s message of universal brotherhood, equality and dignity continues to guide the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in its endeavour to build an ideal society, while ₹100 crore has been earmarked to celebrate the 650th Parkash Purab across Punjab in a grand manner.

Seeking the blessings of the Almighty, the Chief Minister Mann prayed for the continued happiness and prosperity of Punjab and the progress of every family, while reaffirming that the government will remain committed to the welfare of all and to carrying the glorious legacy of the Guru Sahiban and martyrs to the new generation.

Sharing a few snippets from this auspicious gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Today, I had the privilege of paying obeisance at the grand Kirtan Darbar held at Mastuana Sahib, dedicated to the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj. Guru Sahib’s message of universal brotherhood and equality is our greatest strength.”

“Our government is continuously working to take the glorious history of our Guru Sahiban and martyrs to the new generation. The doors of the state treasury will always remain open for works related to Guru Ghars and Parkash Purab celebrations. I pray to the Almighty that Punjab always remains happy and prosperous, and every family continues to progress,” the post concluded.

Addressing the Nagar Kirtan, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today is an auspicious day for all of us as this Samagam is being organised here to celebrate the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj. We are blessed and fortunate to have got the opportunity to render this service. During the Kirtan Samagam, Ragi Jathas are spiritually enlightening the Sangat through the sacred Gurbani of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj.”

The Chief Minister stated, “The primary objective of this event is to spread Guru Sahib’s sacred message of social equality and devotion to the Almighty among the people. Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj devoted his entire life to raising his voice for the rights of the oppressed and marginalised sections of society and gave humanity the message of eradicating evils such as caste discrimination and social inequality.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Through this event, the Punjab government seeks to connect the younger generation with the great teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj so that they can contribute towards building a society based on equality. This Samagam is, in the truest sense, a humble tribute to Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj.”

Vowing to work tirelessly for ameliorating the woes of weaker and underprivileged sections of society, the Chief Minister said, “Our government is duty bound to ensure the well-being of the poorest of the poor for which several path-breaking initiatives are being taken. Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji gave the message of welfare of the entire humanity, equality of all the sections of the society thus creating a society based on egalitarian values. He laid out the concept of such an ideal society where nobody undergoes suffering of any kind.”

The Chief Minister said, “My government is committed to carve out a society based on the teachings and philosophy of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji. The life and teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji continue to guide humanity towards carving an egalitarian society. Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji was a great spiritual ambassador and messiah of the poor and unprivileged sections of the society and taught us to lead a virtuous and noble life.”

He said, “This Parkash Purab is an occasion to rededicate ourselves to the task of creating a society where every human being leads a life with self respect and dignity regardless of any discrimination.”

The Chief Minister said that the state government is celebrating the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj in an unsurpassed manner. “Our government was fortunate to have got the opportunity to commemorate the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, for which a series of events were organised. He said that in this context only a special session of the State Vidhan Sabha was held at the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib.”

He said, “Through his teachings, Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj raised a powerful voice against caste discrimination and social inequality and showed the path of humanity, compassion, equality and dignity to mankind. Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj was born at a time when society was deeply entangled in the caste system and was divided by rigid notions of high and low status. A powerful movement emerged against the forces that sought to divide society, which eventually came to be known as the Bhakti movement.”

Through his Bani, the Chief Minister said, “Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj envisioned a classless society in which no person would suffer from pain, sorrow or deprivation. Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj imparted spiritual wisdom through his Bani to dispel the misconceptions and prejudices of social inequalities among human beings.”

He said, “The Punjab government is committed to carving out an egalitarian society as envisioned by Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj.”

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “Punjab has a very fertile land and anything can germinate on it except hatred and animosity. Punjab is a sacred land of great Gurus, saints and seers who have shown us the path of mutual love and tolerance. The social bonding amongst people is already very strong.”

He pointed out, “Numerous efforts have been made to weaken this communal harmony and bonding but all have proved futile as this land is sacred and blessed.”

The Chief Minister said, “In Punjab the ties of communal harmony, brotherhood and peace are very strong as all the people celebrate all the festivals together. Punjab is a land of religious harmony and freedom and here divisive forces won’t work. Punjabis have very strong social bonds and they are always together in good and bad times. They always celebrate all the festivals together so the nefarious designs of divisive forces can never succeed here.”

Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and others were also present on the occasion.

*Bhagwant Mann Govt Celebrating 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj With Year-long Kirtan Samagams, Seminars, Documentary Shows, Drone Shows And Shobha Yatra*

As part of the 650th Parkash Purab celebrations, special Kirtan Samagams are being organised in various cities, seminars are being held in universities, and documentary shows are being organised through 50 mobile vans in all 13,000 villages of Punjab. Drone shows will also be organised, while a Shobha Yatra will be taken out from different states to Khuralgarh. A three-day state-level programme dedicated to the 650th Parkash Purab will also be held at Khuralgarh Sahib.