Chandigarh, October 29- To ensure that cotton-growing farmers in Haryana receive the full Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce, the government has developed a mobile application named Kapas Kisan.The app has been designed to help farmers conveniently sell their cotton after verifying the crop details submitted on the Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) portal.

Sharing more details in this regard an official  spokesperson said that the Kapas Kisan mobile application has been developed by the Government of India’s enterprise, Cotton Corporation of India Limited (CCI), for the sale of cotton under the MSP scheme during the year 2025–26. The app is available for download on both Google Play Store and Apple iOS.

The spokesperson  further informed that all cotton-producing farmers in Haryana are requested to download the Kapas Kisan app and log in using the OTP sent to their mobile number registered on the Meri Fasal Mera Byora” (MFMB) portal.

After logging in, farmers should verify the details of their cotton-sown land shown in the app with the MFMB-verified land records. Upon successful verification, farmers can book a slot at the nearest CCI purchase center to sell their cotton under the MSP scheme and avail the benefits accordingly.

The spokesperson further said that the  cotton farmers to bring properly dried cotton with a moisture content not exceeding 12 percent to ensure they receive the full MSP for their produce. The CCI has also assured farmers that it will procure cotton of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) grade at the declared Minimum Support Price.

Chandigarh, October 29 – The Haryana Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation has provided financial assistance of Rs. 328.17 lakh to 428 beneficiaries belonging to the Scheduled Castes under various schemes during the current financial year 2025–26, up to September 2025. This amount includes a subsidy of Rs. 32.03 lakh.

Sharing information in this regard a spokesperson of the Haryana Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation said that the Corporation provides loans to individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes under different categories to help them start their own business or self-employment ventures. These categories include the agricultural and allied sectors, industrial sector, trade and business sector, and self-employment sector. Financial assistance is also being provided under schemes implemented with the support of the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC).

The spokesperson said that under the agricultural and allied sector, loans amounting to Rs. 176.05 lakh have been provided to 214 beneficiaries for activities such as dairy farming, sheep rearing, and pig rearing. Out of this, Rs. 164 lakh has been issued as bank loans and Rs. 12.05 lakh as subsidy. Similarly, under the industrial sector, Rs. 152.12 lakh has been provided to 214 beneficiaries, including Rs. 116.93 lakh as bank loans, Rs. 19.98 lakh as subsidy, and Rs. 15.21 lakh as margin money.

The spokesperson said that the Corporation provides loans or benefits only to identified Scheduled Caste families whose verified annual family income (as per PPP data) does not exceed Rs. 3,00,000 in rural and urban areas. With the cooperation of various banks, income-generating loans are provided for activities such as dairy farming, sheep rearing, animal-driven carts, grocery shops, leather goods manufacturing, beauty parlours, tent houses, bangle shops, tea stalls, welding shops, and band parties, among others. Only those beneficiaries who meet the prescribed income criteria are eligible to avail benefits under schemes supported by the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), the spokesperson added.

Chandigarh, October 29- Haryana is fast emerging as one of India’s most dynamic and business-friendly states. Far from being just a land of highways and harvest, it is rapidly transforming into a hub of entrepreneurship, innovation, and industrial growth. Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi, through a series of reform-driven measures and direct oversight, is spearheading this transformation that promises to redefine the State’s economic landscape.

The Cluster Plug and Play Scheme is revolutionizing how industries start and scale in Haryana. Entrepreneurs no longer need to wait for years to get land, utilities, or approvals. Instead, they can walk into ready-to-use, pre-equipped factory spaces and begin production immediately.

So far, 64 projects have been approved, with grant-in-aid totaling ₹318.49 crore. The scheme, now extended till December 31, 2025, offers 50% of project cost (up to ₹5 crore) as government assistance to develop flatted factory complexes over a minimum of five acres. The State has even allowed a 10% cost flexibility to ensure ease in execution.

Chairing a meeting here today, Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi emphasized that this model provides an “instant launchpad” for industries, especially MSMEs, by cutting down gestation periods and offering all basic infrastructure upfront — power, water, connectivity, and compliance under one roof.

The State’s ambition goes beyond cities. Under the Programme to Accelerate Development for MSME Advancement (PADMA), Haryana plans to establish Mini Industrial Parks in all 143 blocks of the State — bringing enterprise to the doorsteps of rural youth.

Each park will house at least ten plug-and-play sheds equipped with shared facilities. So far, 16 applications have been received, 7 projects have secured final approval, and 3 more are in-principle cleared. To support this expansion, a new Umbrella Policy is being framed to provide enhanced incentives to Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, encouraging decentralized industrial growth beyond Gurugram and Faridabad.

Sh. Rastogi noted that the PADMA initiative is “the rural industrial revolution of Haryana,” ensuring balanced development and job creation in smaller towns and villages.

Commissioner & Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal informed that the state government has eliminated 1,113 compliances across 14 Acts and decriminalized 37 minor provisions, making it easier for entrepreneurs to focus on innovation instead of paperwork.

The simplification includes 842 business-related and 271 citizen-related compliances, with a target to reach 1,500 by December 2025. A Deregulation Committee was set up on August 27, 2025, to adopt international best practices in administrative reform.

Backing these reforms, the Haryana Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025 aims to replace imprisonment clauses with monetary penalties, institutionalizing a culture of trust between government and business.

To ensure integrated planning, every infrastructure project above ₹100 crore now undergoes evaluation by the Network Planning Group and the Empowered Group of Secretaries under the PM GatiShakti framework.

As of October 2025, 55 departments have been trained to use this unified platform for mapping inter-departmental dependencies in power, transport, and logistics projects. The goal is to plan 10 major projects through PM GatiShakti by the end of 2025 — ensuring faster execution and better coordination across departments.

When it comes to women’s safety, Haryana has become a national benchmark. The State operates 33 all-women police stations, 200 Women Help Desks, and the dedicated Durga Shakti Rapid Action Force in every district.

The Durga Shakti App, integrated with Dial 112, provides real-time emergency response. The moment an SOS is triggered, GPS-linked PCR vans are alerted, ensuring swift action. Haryana’s 24×7 command control system has become a model for other states to emulate.

The Government has established a dedicated GIFT Cell (Global Interface for Trade Facilitation) in Panchkula, funded with ₹13.59 crore under the RAMP scheme. Staffed with eight trade experts, the cell assists MSMEs in export readiness, quality certifications, and global outreach.

Officers stationed in Ambala, Faridabad, and Gurugram are helping enterprises participate in international trade fairs and connect with global buyers. The initiative is helping Haryana’s small businesses scale beyond India’s borders.

The Invest Haryana Portal (investharyana.in) has become the single window for all business-related services. Entrepreneurs can now apply for 43 incentives, licenses, and NOCs online.

The State’s digital transformation extends to its youth. HARTRON has set up 86 Advanced Skill Centres, of which 62 are operational, offering training in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, IoT, Cloud Computing, and Big Data Analytics.

Each year, 25,000 youth are expected to benefit, with a 75% fee waiver for EWS candidates. Additionally, 108 ITIs have been registered as training partners under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, where 4,715 solar technicians have already completed their practical training.

Haryana’s startup revolution is in full swing. With 8,800 DPIIT-registered startups, the State ranks seventh in India, and remarkably, 45% of these are women-led.

The Haryana Startup Policy 2022 has introduced 10 new fiscal support schemes for incubators, while 12 innovation centres are being established — including three by HSIIDC in Sohna, Manesar, and Kharkhoda.

Under the Vehicle Scrappage Policy, 2024, Haryana is incentivizing recycling facilities as legitimate industries. The policy provides grants up to ₹20 crore, 100% stamp duty refund in D-category blocks, and venture capital support for green technology startups.

Additional Chief Secretary, Transport, Sh. Raja Sekhar Vundru, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education, Sh. Vineet Garg, Additional Chief Secretary, Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of Scheduled Castes & Backward Classes and Antyodaya (SEWA) Department, Smt. G Anupama, Additional Chief Secretary, Town & Country Planning, Sh. AK Singh, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, October 29 – The Haryana Government stands firmly with the farmers of the state and is continuously working for their welfare. Every grain of crop is being procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) in the state’s mandis. Directions have been issued to officers to ensure that no farmer faces any inconvenience during the procurement process.

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, said this while interacting with media persons after attending the meeting of the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee held in Charkhi Dadri today.

The Agriculture Minister informed that out of the total 16 complaints presented before the committee, 8 were resolved on the spot, while necessary directions were issued for resolving the remaining 8 complaints.

While interacting with the reporters, Sh. Rana said that the State Government is consistently working for the welfare of farmers. Several welfare schemes have been implemented to increase the income of farmers. According to the government’s plan, the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana funds will be released soon. Compensation for the crops damaged by excessive rain will soon be transferred directly to the farmers’ bank accounts.

The Minister further said that the district administration is taking continuous action against overloading, and challans worth several lakh rupees have been issued.

Chandigarh, October 29 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the pace at which India is progressing today is driven by the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and the revolutionary economic policies of the Central Government. Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, the country realized the concept of “One Nation, One Tax” by implementing GST, which transformed the entire country into a unified market.

The GST reforms have not only accelerated the economy but also made inter-state trade easier and freed traders from the web of unnecessary taxes. The recently implemented GST reforms stand as proof that Prime Minister Modi’s “guarantee” is always fulfilled. These reforms will prove to be a milestone in building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

The Chief Minister was addressing a programme organized by the Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Patna, Bihar, on Wednesday.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Prime Minister’s call for “Swadeshi” and “Make in India for the World” has given a new direction to the manufacturing sector in the country. During his recent visit to Japan, he had highlighted that the vision presented by the Prime Minister will play a crucial role in realizing the concept of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

He said that under the Digital India campaign, from UPI to DBT, the digital transaction revolution has promoted transparency and curbed corruption. Today, India’s digital infrastructure has become an example for the entire world. Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, India has increased manufacturing and production, reduced dependency on imports, and emerged as a strong centre of the global supply chain. As a result of the Central Government’s visionary policies and reforms, India is not only moving toward self-reliance but has also established itself as a strong partner in the global economy.

He said that in the past 11 years, there has been unprecedented investment in the construction of roads, railways, airports, and ports. This excellent connectivity is reducing trade and logistics costs for industrialists. To promote ease of doing business, unnecessary laws have been eliminated, processes simplified, and efforts made to free the system from the licence raj. As a result, India has become the world’s fifth-largest economy and is rapidly moving toward becoming the third-largest economic superpower. This is proof of the confidence of entrepreneurs and our collective efforts.

The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister has given us the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat-2047’. To achieve this goal, we must develop our states. Haryana and Bihar must work together to accelerate the pace of the nation’s progress.

He said that by coming here today, he is witnessing a wonderful confluence of Bihar’s soil and Haryana’s spirit of entrepreneurship. This confluence truly symbolizes the progress of our nation and the resolve of ‘Viksit Bharat’. He said that the relationship between Bihar and Haryana is not limited to geographical boundaries. It is a relationship of love, labour, and trust. He said he takes pride in the fact that he has also worked on the land of Bihar, especially in areas like Sitamarhi and Motihari. He has an emotional and familial bond with the people of Bihar.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the state once labeled as ‘BIMARU’ (backward) is today recognized as the second fastest-growing state in the country due to the double-engine government. Today, Bihar’s GDP growth rate is over 14 percent. It is only because of the government’s visionary policies that Bihar’s per capita income, which was merely Rs 7,914 annually in 2004-05, has now increased more than eightfold to Rs 66,828.

The greatest achievement is that for the first time, a historic transformation has occurred in Bihar’s economy. The industrial sector now contributes 23 percent to Bihar’s GDP, surpassing the share of agriculture. This proves that a safe and conducive environment for industries has been created in Bihar.

He said that from 2016 to 2022, investment proposals worth only Rs 2,500 crore were received. However, in just the last two years, proposals worth more than Rs 12,000 crore have been received—a more than fivefold increase. Bihar is now becoming a state that generates employment. In 2005, the number of startups here was zero. But today, Bihar has become a hub of over 1,500 startups, and the government is providing support to every entrepreneur.

He said that to prepare the youth according to industrial needs, the Bharat Ratna Jananayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University has been inaugurated. It offers industry-based courses to the youth. Besides, the number of engineering colleges has increased from only 3 in 2005 to 38 now, raising the number of technical seats to over 14,000.

Additionally, the state has taken the initiative to give global recognition to local identity. The government’s ‘One District-One Industry’ scheme has brought a revolution in this direction. The best example of this is Katihar’s Makhana, which is now shining in the global market. The Central Government has announced the formation of a Makhana Board to establish it as a ‘superfood’, which has empowered farmers and local industries. He said that the employment generation policies have created new job opportunities by promoting local products and establishing small-scale industries.

The Chief Minister said that to attract industries and deliver products to the market, Bihar has done record work in developing its infrastructure. A network of about 7,000 kilometers of highways has spread across the state. Airports have been inaugurated in Darbhanga and Purnia, and metro service has also started in Patna.

He said that today, Bihar is not just walking on the path of development but running on the highway of progress. A series of policy reforms has been initiated to win investors’ trust. The Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Package 2025 is a historic step. The government has decided to provide free land to investors. In addition, unprecedented incentives such as an interest subsidy of up to Rs 40 crore and SGST reimbursement of up to 300 percent for 14 years are being provided. The decision to develop a Fintech City near Fatuha in Patna has also been made, which will be a modern financial center modeled after Gujarat’s GIFT City.

The Chief Minister said that the state government aims to create one crore employment opportunities in the next five years. For this, there is also a provision to provide assistance of Rs 5,000 per worker per month to eligible industries. A new policy 2022 has been implemented to provide special incentives to the textile and leather industries. Today, the Bhagalpur cluster ranks second in the country in the production and export of silk fabrics. The investment of major companies like Tata and PepsiCo in Bihar marks the beginning of a new era. This is just the beginning. Our ultimate goal is to make Bihar a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2047.

Chandigarh, October 29:

In a major milestone, the paddy arrival throughout the mandis has crossed the 100 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) mark with over 97 LMT procured.

Terming the accelerated pace of procurement as testimony to the farmer friendly policies of the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the necessary arrangements have been made in the mandis with a view to ensure that no stakeholder whether the farmers, Commission Agents (Arhtiyas), Labourers don’t encounter any difficulty. As far as lifting is concerned, more than 77 LMT of the procured crop has been lifted.

Coming to the payments front, the amount in excess of Rs. 21000 Crore stands credited into the accounts of the farmers, said the Minister exhorting the farming community to bring dry produce in the mandis so as to derive full worth of their crop which they have produced with so much hardwork.

Chandigarh, October 29

Taking a step towards resolving the long-pending concerns of the Ministerial Services Cadre, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, who is also the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Employees’ Issues, said here today that the Cabinet Sub-Committee would recommend to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to form an Officers’ Committee to study the possibility of framing uniform service rules for the Ministerial Services Cadre across various departments to bring uniformity in the service environment of these employees and removing any existing disparities

During a meeting with representatives of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema assured union representatives that several of their demands are already under process. He further committed that other legitimate concerns would be addressed promptly, reaffirming the government’s commitment to responsive and transparent governance.

In a series of subsequent meetings, the Finance Minister engaged with three unions from the Education Department including the Master Cadre Union, the Elementary Teachers Union, and the Murh Bahal Kachhe Adhiyapak Union. These discussions centered on critical issues such as pay scales, promotional pathways, and leave entitlements. Finance Minister Cheema instructed the Education Department to expedite the resolution of demands currently under review and directed senior officials to hold regular meetings with the union leaders to address additional legitimate concerns.

The Finance Minister also met with representatives of the Punjab Police Corona Warriors Union. He gave a sympathetic hearing to their issues and assured them that their demands would be considered with empathy. He emphasized that the government remains steadfast in its resolve to address genuine grievances and foster a work environment rooted in equity, respect, and accountability.

Among those who presented their demands and concerns were Gurnam Singh Virk, Tarsem Bhathal, and Anirudh Modgul from the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union; Baljinder Singh Dhaliwal, Gurmeet Singh Bhullar, Daljit Singh Sabarwal, and Amarbir Singh from the Master Cadre Union; Harjinderpal Singh Pannu, Satbir Singh Rauni, Harkrishan Singh Mohali, and Gurinder Singh Ghullewali from the Elementary Teachers Union; Vikas Sahini, Lakhwinder Kaur, and Amandeep Kaur from the Murh Bahal Kachhe Adhiyapak Union; and Amarjit Singh, Gurbaj Singh, Pawanbir Singh, and Jagroop Singh from the Punjab Police Corona Warriors Union.

Chandigarh/Ludhiana 29 October 2025:

The ground-breaking ceremony for the manufacturing facility of Munjal STP Industries Limited, a Joint Venture between Hero Motors Limited (“HML”) and Vermogensverwaltung Plettenberg GmbH and CO KG along with its  group  companies (“STP  Group”) held today at Dhanasu, Ludhiana.In this way,  Punjab will receive investment of Rs. 260 crores in the first phase through joint venture and employment for 400 people.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by  Shri Sanjeev Arora, Industry and Commerce Minister of Punjab, Ms. Seema Bansal, Vice-Chairperson of the Punjab Development Commission, along with several other dignitaries from Industry & Government of Punjab.

Minister Arora said that Punjab Government is tirelessly working in close tandem with industry for overall development of Punjab. HML and STP Group entered into a joint venture agreement in March 2025 to develop, manufacture and sell forging components for the automotive sector. The STP Group, a renowned German forging specialist with six facilities across Germany, produces high-precision forged and machined components for automotive and industrial applications. HML, a technology driven, automotive components company engaged in highly engineered powertrain solutions and alloys & metallics, with R&D spanning India and the United Kingdom and manufacturing facilities spanning India, the United Kingdom, and Thailand.

Arora & Seema have assured Joint Venture proponents of full cooperation from Punjab Govt and approvals in record time. Pankaj Munjal Chairman of HMC praised Punjab Govt for all the cooperation and also applauded all the new policies being envisaged.

Pankaj Munjal, Chairman, HML, said, “Munjal STP Industries Limited represents our drive to strengthen manufacturing in India through collaboration with STP Group. The facility is being set up at Hero Industrial Park, Ludhiana, alongside other key automotive and EV units such as HMC HIVE, HYM Drive Systems Private Limited, and Spur Technologies Private Limited.”

Amit Gupta, MD and CEO, HML, stated, “The new facility will further strengthen our Powertrain Solutions manufacturing footprint, building on our capabilities in supplying gears and transmission solutions to global customers across automotive, aerospace, defence, and industrial segments. It will feature semi-automatic forging lines for complex components, with a focus on cost efficiency and stringent quality standards.”

Cornel Mueller, Chairman and CEO, STP, added, “Our partnership with HML marks a significant step in extending STP’s presence and leveraging India’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem. The collaboration is designed to combine STP’s expertise in high-precision forging with HML’s manufacturing and engineering capabilities, fostering technology exchange and operational excellence between our teams in Germany and India.”

Hero Group was represented by Pankaj Munjal, SK Rai, Ashwairya Munjal, Aditya Munjal, Amity Gupta amongst others.

Chandigarh, October 27 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini issued clear directives to strengthen the campaign against drug abuse, stating that police officers and staff in areas where commendable work is being carried out will be recognized and honoured. The Chief Minister also said that strict action will be taken wherever negligence or laxity is observed. He added that the impact of action taken against negligent officials should be clearly visible, sending a strong message that those performing exemplary work against drug abuse will be rewarded, while strict measures will be taken in areas where drug abuse persists.

The Chief Minister was presiding over a meeting to review the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan scheme here today.

He directed that villages declared drug-free be regularly re-evaluated and that the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau’s presence be strengthened in border areas. He also instructed that experts be included in the teams to ensure effective control over the drug supply. The Chief Minister called on all concerned departments to intensify the joint campaign against drugs, focusing equally on enforcement, de-addiction, and awareness, and to actively involve Panchayats as partners in the effort.

Nayab Singh Saini said that the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau, in coordination with other relevant departments, should launch a comprehensive campaign to ensure the thorough screening of youth affected by drug addiction. He called for detailed investigations to identify the sources and routes through which drugs are being supplied, enabling the complete disruption and control of the drug supply chain. The objective, he said, is not only to prevent drug abuse but also to reintegrate affected youth into mainstream society.

He said that the Narcotics Control Bureau, SEWA Department and the Health Department should jointly intensify efforts to eradicate drug abuse at its roots. In addition, all concerned departments must ensure the active participation of Panchayats in this vigorous campaign. Panchayats and Sarpanches who make notable contributions should be recognized and honoured. He said that all departments should work in close coordination and take concrete measures to make Haryana a drug-free state.

Also reviews projects progress on State Pragati Portal, Directs timely completion

Following this, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini reviewed the progress of seven different projects costing more than Rs 75 crore each on the State Pragati Portal. He directed officials to invite representatives from departments whose projects are being delayed due to inter-departmental issues to the upcoming meeting. The Chief Minister said that the presence of the relevant departments at such meetings will ensure the prompt resolution of these issues, facilitating timely project completion and the swift delivery of benefits to citizens.

The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of key infrastructure projects, including the four-lane road from National Highway-9 to National Highway-52 through Mirzapur Road in Hisar district, the Budhlada-Ratia-Fatehabad-Bhattu-Bhadra road, construction of two-lane relief road from Ghogripur to the Haryana-Delhi border, construction of master road from Noida to Gurugram via Faridabad, construction of two link roads providing seamless connectivity from West Faridabad to East Faridabad, the new judicial complex (Tower of Justice) in Gurugram and the 200-bed hospital in Sector-9, Fatehabad. He directed that all these important projects be completed within the stipulated timelines to further accelerate the pace of development across the state.

Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Arun Kumar Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Home Department Dr Sumitra Misra, Additional Chief Secretary Environment Department Vineet Garg, Additional Chief Secretary SEWA Department G Anupama, Additional Chief Secretary Energy Department A.K. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Public Works Department Anurag Agarwal, Additional Director General of Police Sanjay Kumar and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.