Chandigarh: Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda has announced that the Congress party will hold a major protest demonstration on August 19 regarding the demand for the regularization of Kaushal Nigam workers and other issues.  Senior party leaders, the Haryana Congress in-charge, the state party president, MPs, MLAs, office bearers, and party workers will participate in the event. Senior leader Ashok Arora has been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating this protest.  Addressing a press conference at his residence, Hooda stated that the Congress demands the regularization of all employees engaged under the ‘Kaushal Nigam’ (Skill Corporation) and insists that future recruitments be permanent rather than contractual.

“During the assembly elections, the BJP had announced the regularization of 125,000 ‘Kaushal’ workers to garner their votes. However, even after nearly two years, these contractual employees have not received any law or official notification regarding their regularization. Consequently, the threat of losing their jobs constantly looms over them; the government frequently dismisses these workers on one pretext or another,” he said.

He pointed out that while ‘Kaushal’ workers are paid a meagre ₹15,000–₹20,000 for their work, permanent employees receive a salary of at least ₹60,000 for the same tasks. ‘Kaushal’ workers should also receive pay parity with them.

“The BJP had spread misinformation among these employees and their families during the elections, falsely claiming that a Congress government would remove them from their jobs. In reality, both then and now, the Congress has demanded that HKRN daily-wage workers be made regular government employees and be granted all facilities, such as equal pay, healthcare benefits, leave, travel allowances, and reservation, comparable to those of regular staff,” he stated.

“Future recruitments should be conducted on a regular basis based on merit. Neither the concerned department nor HKRN considers the contractual personnel deployed through HKRN as their own employees (HKRN maintains that it acts merely as an intermediary, not an employer); the demand is for the government to grant them legal status,” he added.

Chandigarh: After Assurance from Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij, the Joint Action Committee of the unions announced the withdrawal of its proposed three-day strike from August 11 to 13. A meeting was held on  Monday under the chairmanship of Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij with representatives of various employee unions, associations and Morchas of the Energy Department. 

During the meeting, representatives of the Joint Action Committee stated that they had decided to withdraw the proposed strike following the assurances given by Energy Minister  Anil Vij regarding their three major demands — formation of an Agri DISCOM, grant of a licence to a parallel private power company, and installation of smart meters.

 Regarding the formation of an Agri DISCOM, Vij said that although it was announced by the Chief Minister in the Budget speech, no concrete action has so far been initiated at the departmental level. He clarified that he has also not yet held any formal discussion with the Chief Minister on the matter. However, if any decision or discussion takes place on the issue in the future, stakeholders will be consulted.

Clarifying the position on the smart meter project, the Energy Minister said that no fresh tender has currently been issued for the procurement of smart meters. He also stated that consumers will continue to have the option of choosing either prepaid or postpaid smart meters. 

Regarding the creation and re-creation of various posts in all four power corporations, union representatives were informed that a proposal in this regard would be sent to the Rationalisation Commission shortly. The Energy Minister directed officials to request the Commission to complete the process within a stipulated timeframe so that the matter could be resolved at the earliest. Similarly, union representatives thanked the Energy Minister for his decision regarding the online transfer policy, under which technical posts below the level of Junior Engineer have, for the time being, been kept outside the online transfer policy.

 The Minister also directed the concerned officials to make promotions to various categories of posts in accordance with the applicable rules and the roster register. Regarding medical cashless and mediclaim facilities, the Minister assured union representatives that a meeting would be held with the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department to raise the issues faced by employees of the Energy Department.

 Regarding salary increment for employees working under DC rates in the power corporations, Vij said that such employees working against various posts should be provided rates at par with those under HKRN. He directed the department to send a case to the Government/Chief Secretary in this regard. The issue of risk allowance for employees was also discussed. Vij informed the union representatives that employees engaged in various hazardous duties should receive a risk allowance. He said that a committee would be constituted to examine the matter and submit its report within a stipulated period.

 Similarly, the issue of electricity allowance was discussed. Sh. Anil Vij directed officials to study the electricity allowances being provided by power corporations in all states across the country and present a detailed report on the matter in the next meeting. In addition, Vij directed that ex-gratia benefits in cases of death or accidents while on duty should be applicable without the condition of five years of service. Officials informed the meeting that a proposal in this regard has already been sent to the Government.

 During the meeting, the demand raised by the HSEB Diploma Engineers Association to increase the quota for the promotion of Junior Engineers from 35 per cent to 50 per cent was also discussed in detail.  Vij assured the representatives that the matter would be examined and suggestions would also be sought from employee representatives. Similarly, the association raised the issue of providing cadre-specific Assured Career Progression (ACP). The Energy Minister said that the matter would be placed before the department’s internal sub-committee for detailed examination, and suggestions from employee representatives would also be sought.

 Following the discussion on these issues and the assurances given by Sh. Anil Vij, the HSEB Diploma Engineers Association also withdrew its proposed strike.

 The meeting was attended by Sh. Devendra Hooda, Chairman, AHPC Workers Union, Hisar; Sh. Bijender Barar, Sh. Yashpal Deshwal, Sh.Rajendra Rana and Sh. Ravinder Dhankhar from the Haryana Bijli Karamchari and Engineers Joint Sangharsh Morcha; Sh. Abhimanyu Dhankhar, State President, HSEB Diploma Engineers Association; Sh. Vipin Bhardwaj, General Secretary; and other representatives including Krishan Pal, Pradeep Kumar, Vikas, Pankaj Kumar and Aman Kumar, along with office-bearers of various employee organisations and unions.

By Manoj Kumar

Chandigarh:

The recent protests in New Delhi over alleged examination paper leaks have marked a turning point in India’s youth-led activism. What began as demonstrations against irregularities in competitive examinations has evolved into a larger call for transparency, accountability and systemic reform. For Generation Z, the issue is no longer confined to one examination or one government. It has become a nationwide demand for fair opportunities and merit-based recruitment.

The momentum generated in the national capital is now being reflected in several states. In Jharkhand, students and job aspirants have been protesting against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). The agitation has drawn support from several student organisations, reflecting growing concern over the credibility of public recruitment.

Responding to the protests, the Jharkhand government has assured students that their concerns will be addressed. It has agreed to hold discussions with student representatives, promised appropriate action and initiated investigations into the alleged irregularities. Whether these assurances translate into lasting reforms will be closely watched by aspirants across the country.

The developments in Jharkhand are part of a much larger national challenge. Over the past several decades, allegations of paper leaks, recruitment scams, examination malpractices and irregular appointments have surfaced in numerous states. Teacher recruitment controversies, staff selection scams and allegations of corruption have periodically dominated headlines in states such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and others. In some high-profile cases, investigations have led to prosecutions and convictions of public officials, middlemen and political leaders, reinforcing concerns about the vulnerability of recruitment systems to corruption.

The consequences of these recurring controversies have extended well beyond individual examinations. Recruitments have been cancelled, appointment processes delayed and prolonged litigation has left lakhs of deserving candidates in uncertainty. Every cancelled examination represents years of preparation, financial sacrifice and emotional investment by aspirants and their families.

Perhaps the greatest damage has been to public confidence. In many parts of the country, a widespread public perception has developed that securing certain government jobs often depends not only on merit but also on influence, political connections or bribery. While many recruitments are conducted fairly and thousands of candidates secure jobs through honest competition, the persistence of repeated scandals has fuelled distrust in the system. It is this erosion of confidence that students are increasingly challenging through peaceful protests.

As the movement has gained national attention, it has also triggered a familiar political blame game. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have argued that paper leaks and recruitment irregularities were widespread under previous governments led by parties such as the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party (SP), Shiromani Akali Dal and others. Opposition parties, in turn, have accused the present governments at the Centre and in several states of failing to effectively curb paper leaks despite repeated assurances and legislative measures. The exchange of allegations has intensified political debate, but it has done little to address the immediate concerns of students awaiting fair recruitment.

Generation Z appears to be taking a different approach. Rather than focusing solely on which political party is responsible for past failures, many young protesters are demanding accountability from every government, regardless of ideology or party affiliation. Their message is straightforward: governments must be judged by their ability to ensure transparent examinations, secure recruitment systems and timely justice whenever irregularities occur.

The protests in Delhi have demonstrated that Generation Z is prepared to organise, mobilise and use democratic means to demand institutional reform. Social media has enabled students from different states to share experiences, mobilise support and transform isolated grievances into a nationwide conversation about the integrity of examinations and public recruitment.

The challenge now is to ensure that this demand remains consistent across political boundaries. Accountability cannot be selective. Whether allegations arise in Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka or any other state, citizens should expect the same standards—independent investigations, swift prosecution of those responsible, stronger digital safeguards, transparent recruitment procedures and time-bound appointments for deserving candidates.

The issue is ultimately larger than politics. It concerns the credibility of public institutions and the constitutional promise of equality of opportunity. When young people lose faith in the fairness of examinations, confidence in governance itself begins to erode.

Governments across India therefore face an important opportunity. Instead of allowing every paper leak to become another political controversy, they can work towards structural reforms that reduce human interference, strengthen examination security, ensure greater transparency and hold those responsible accountable without delay. Such measures would benefit not only today’s aspirants but also future generations.

The protests in Delhi have served as a wake-up call, while the demonstrations in Jharkhand suggest that the demand for accountability is spreading across states. Whether this becomes another passing political controversy or the beginning of meaningful institutional reform will depend less on speeches and more on action.

For Generation Z, the demand is simple: merit must prevail over malpractice, transparency over secrecy, and accountability over political blame. If governments—at both the Centre and in the states—respond with genuine reforms rather than mutual accusations, this movement could become one of the most significant youth-led campaigns for institutional integrity in recent decades.

By Manoj Kumar

Chandigarh: A series of controversial statements by political leaders, coupled with equally provocative responses from sections of protesters, has once again brought the quality of political discourse in India under scrutiny. From remarks targeting students protesting alleged examination paper leaks to communal and personal attacks, recent controversies have highlighted the growing use of inflammatory rhetoric in public life.
The recent Gen Z demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged examination paper leaks have not only highlighted the frustrations of unemployed youth but also reignited concerns over the increasingly aggressive language shaping public debate. While the demonstrators sought to draw attention to examination paper leaks, recruitment irregularities and accountability, the use of abusive slogans by some participants drew criticism and sparked questions about whether public protests are increasingly reflecting the confrontational tone that has become common in political discourse.
The developments come against the backdrop of a series of provocative statements by political leaders across party lines in recent months. Several politicians have attracted criticism for remarks directed at political opponents, religious communities, student protesters and critics, often triggering sharp political exchanges and dominating headlines.
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut courted controversy after referring to protesting students as “Generation Gutter,” drawing criticism from student organisations and opposition parties, which accused her of belittling the concerns of young job aspirants. Senior BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri also came under fire for questioning whether those gathered at Jantar Mantar were genuine students. Bidhuri had earlier faced widespread condemnation over derogatory remarks directed at Muslim MP Danish Ali during a Lok Sabha debate, an incident that led to a show-cause notice from his own party.
Elsewhere, political rhetoric has remained equally sharp. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and several other political leaders have exchanged strong accusations over issues ranging from religion and illegal immigration to identity, governance and elections.
Another controversy emerged in Tamil Nadu after DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin faced legal action over remarks made during a public protest rally. Opposition parties termed the comments offensive and demanded action, while the DMK described the case as politically motivated.
The atmosphere has not been confined to elected representatives. At the Jantar Mantar demonstration, some protesters resorted to abusive slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders. The language was criticised by political parties across the spectrum, even as many continued to support the students’ right to peaceful protest and their demand for transparency in recruitment examinations.
Student groups argued that instead of addressing their demands for transparent recruitment and accountability in paper leak cases, some political leaders attempted to discredit the movement through personal attacks. Opposition leaders also criticised such remarks, saying elected representatives should engage with students’ concerns rather than use inflammatory language.
Political observers say the slogans and abusive language used by some protesters mirrored a broader trend in Indian politics, where increasingly aggressive rhetoric has become more common. They caution, however, that this should not be interpreted as a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Responsibility for inflammatory or abusive language rests with those who use it, whether they are political leaders or protesters.
Critics argue that political rhetoric across ideological lines has increasingly shifted towards personal attacks, allegations and emotionally charged language during election campaigns, legislative debates and public rallies. They warn that such exchanges risk lowering the standard of public discourse and deepening political polarisation.
Democracy guarantees both freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest, but these rights are accompanied by responsibilities. Elected representatives, political parties and citizens alike have a duty to maintain civility, particularly when addressing issues that affect public trust and social harmony.
Restoring civility to public debate will require restraint not only from those in power but also from those seeking to challenge them. The language used in politics ultimately shapes the tone of democratic engagement far beyond election rallies, legislative assemblies and public protests.

Chandigarh:

The Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC) has approved the proposal to establish a Digital Museum at the Le Corbusier Centre in Sector 19, paving the way for a major initiative to preserve and promote Chandigarh’s unique architectural and cultural heritage.

The project will be developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed museum has been prepared by the Department of Tourism.

The decision was taken during the 27th meeting of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee, chaired by Chandigarh Chief Secretary H. Rajesh Prasad. The meeting reviewed several proposals aimed at conserving the city’s architectural heritage and safeguarding the Outstanding Universal Value of Chandigarh’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.

During the meeting, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary, Tourism & Culture, presented the proposal and informed the Committee that the project aims to develop a world-class digital museum through minimum interventions while preserving the heritage character of the building. He highlighted the historical significance of the Le Corbusier Centre, the project’s tourism potential, the proposed layout, project cost, anticipated outcomes and revenue projections, and informed that the safeguards recommended by the Sub Heritage Committee have been incorporated into the proposal.

Following detailed deliberations and suggestions from the members of the Sub Heritage Committee and senior officials of the Chandigarh Administration, the Chair approved the proposal for establishing the Digital Museum at the Le Corbusier Centre, Sector 19.

The Committee next considered the revised zoning plan for Sectors 2, 3, 4 and 5, which fall within the buffer zone of the Capitol Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As these sectors are governed by special heritage planning norms, the proposal was examined by the Sub Heritage Committee before being placed before the CHCC.

Sirsa:

The Sirsa MP and Former Union Minister Kumari Selja pressed the Centre to initiate work on the proposed Yamuna-Ghaggar Link under the National River Interlinking Programme, saying the project could transform water management in Haryana by addressing recurring floods, irrigation shortages and drinking water scarcity.

Speaking during a high-level meeting convened by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry at Haryana Bhawan to review the “Jal Jeevan Mission” and the state’s water resources, Kumari Selja said Haryana was facing an alarming water crisis, with 14 districts struggling with inadequate drinking water supply while thousands of farmers continued to suffer due to insufficient canal irrigation.

She said the success of the Jal Jeevan Mission should be measured not by the number of pipelines laid but by whether every household receives a regular supply of clean and safe drinking water. She urged the Centre and the Haryana Government to jointly conduct a comprehensive assessment of drinking water sources, canal infrastructure, water treatment facilities, groundwater levels and water quality in water-stressed districts.

Highlighting what she described as Haryana’s “water paradox”, Selja said large quantities of monsoon water flow out of the state every year, often causing floods, while western and southern districts such as Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar and adjoining regions continue to face severe shortages of drinking and irrigation water.

To bridge this imbalance, she urged the Union Government to undertake a detailed technical and environmental feasibility study for linking the Yamuna with the Ghaggar River. She proposed that surplus monsoon water from the Yamuna be diverted through a technically viable link, canal or channel into the Ghaggar basin after preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR).

According to Kumari Selja, such a project would substantially reduce flood risks while making additional water available for irrigation, groundwater recharge and long-term water storage in western Haryana. She said the proposal could become a game-changer for farmers in Sirsa, Fatehabad and neighbouring districts that routinely face water shortages.

The Congress leader also demanded that Otu Lake in Sirsa be developed as a permanent “Water Bank” for western Haryana. She said the reservoir’s storage capacity had declined considerably due to decades of silt accumulation and called for scientific desilting, deep excavation and restoration of the lake.

Referring to land acquired for the lake project during 1964-65, Kumari Selja sought a fresh technical and revenue survey to ascertain the present status of the acquired land and place the findings in the public domain. She urged the Centre and the Haryana Government to jointly prepare a dedicated Otu Lake Revival and Water Storage Project so that surplus monsoon water flowing through the Ghaggar could be stored and utilised during dry months for irrigation and other essential needs.

She further demanded scientific rejuvenation of the Ghaggar River, including desilting, strengthening of embankments and enhancement of its carrying capacity from Panchkula and Ambala to Fatehabad and Sirsa. She said such measures would reduce flood damage while improving the river’s overall efficiency. Kumari Selja also stressed that Haryana must receive its full allocated share of Bhakra waters and called for a review of the existing canal distribution network to ensure optimum utilisation of available water. Wherever infrastructural deficiencies restrict water flow, she said, canal capacity should be expanded and the distribution system modernised.

Seeking the revival of the historic Sirsa Branch Canal linked to the Western Yamuna Canal system, Selja called for a comprehensive engineering survey followed by repairs, reconstruction and capacity enhancement of canals, minors and distributaries.

She underlined that merely releasing water into canals was not sufficient unless it reached the tail-end villages and farmers. Regular monitoring, prevention of water theft and leakages, and the use of modern technology, she said, were essential to ensure equitable distribution across the canal network.

Concluding her intervention, Kumari Selja said Haryana’s recurring floods, drinking water shortages and irrigation problems should no longer be treated as separate challenges but addressed through a single integrated water management policy. She said the Yamuna-Ghaggar Link, revival of Otu Lake, optimum utilisation of Bhakra waters, strengthening of the Ghaggar River, modernisation of the Sirsa Branch canal system and assured water supply till the tail-end should together form the foundation of Haryana’s long-term water security strategy.

“The floodwater that flows away every monsoon can become Haryana’s greatest water resource if managed scientifically. It can strengthen irrigation, improve drinking water availability, recharge groundwater and secure the future of coming generations,” Kumari Selja said while urging the Union Government to prepare a joint action plan with the Haryana Government.