Chandigarh, August 8- Irrigation and Water Resources Minister and Women and Child Development Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry said that  a water drainage master plan  will be prepared to find a permanent solution  to the problem of rainwater drainage. She stated that the said master plan will be prepared to provide a long-term remedy to areas in the district affected by waterlogging.

On Friday,  Smt. Shruti Choudhry visited the waterlogged areas of villages Dang Khurd, Dang Kalan, Sagwan, Biran, and Bapora in Tosham area of Bhiwani, and directed officers to resolve the problem at the earliest.

Smt. Shruti Choudhry said that the problem related to rainwater will be permanently resolved. She added that the government is continuously working for the progress of the state, and in the same spirit, new milestones of development are being achieved in the Tosham Assembly constituency as well.

She said that various development-oriented projects worth crores of rupees are underway in the villages of the region. She assured that there will be no shortfall in development work and directed officers to ensure the use of quality materials in construction. Any negligence in development works will not be tolerated.

During the visit, she listened to the problems of the villagers and issued directions to the concerned department officers for their resolution. She directed the Public Health Engineering Department officers to supply clean drinking water through tankers to villages facing water scarcity.

The Cabinet Minister also directed that ‘Jal Ghar’ should be cleaned and filled with clean water to ensure safe drinking water for the people. All issues related to electricity and other services in the villages should be resolved at the earliest.

Villagers informed the Cabinet Minister that due to rainwater, their crops had been damaged, and the outer settlements of Dang Kalan and Sagwan villages were also affected by the waterlogging. They requested an immediate solution. After hearing the issue,  the Minister directed the officers to resolve it promptly. She also issued directions to address the rainwater problem at the government school in Biran village.

The Minister said that the canals and minors constructed across the state during the tenure of former Chief Minister Late Chaudhary Bansi Lal are being renovated. She directed the Public Health Engineering Department officers to ensure that no village in the constituency faces drinking water scarcity.

Smt. Shruti Choudhry said that the government is working with the spirit of ‘Antyodaya’ for the welfare of every section of society. Eligible and needy families are being provided the benefits of government schemes at their doorsteps.

Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Sahil Gupta, SDM, Sh. Ravi Meena and other officers were present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, August 8- Haryana Education Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, said that along with education, skill development for children is also essential. Education leads to the overall development of a human being. The educated young generation has a crucial role to play in fulfilling Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s dream of a developed India.

The Education Minister was addressing the felicitation programme organised at the Government Senior Secondary School, Bhiwani on Friday. In his address, he said that under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the state government is taking several significant steps to improve the education system.

The Education Minister said that once the student strength in the Government School at Prem Nagar reaches the required norm, it will be upgraded to the Senior Secondary level (Class 12). He said the construction Chaupal in Prem Nagar village will be done soon. Citing the example of government schools in Panchkula and Panipat districts, he said that there are long queues of students seeking admission in these schools.

Appealing to teachers, he urged them to visit homes and assure parents that government schools provide better education than private schools. For meritorious students, coaching classes for competitive exams like NET and JEE are also being organized, he said.

The Minister  said that government schools in the state have achieved better results than private schools. He further said that in the coming days, arrangements in government schools will be made even better. There will be no shortage of staff. Facilities such as drinking water, toilets, classrooms, digital classrooms, and libraries will be further improved, he said.

MLA Bawani Khera, Sh. Kapoor Singh welcomed the Education Minister and said that Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini is ensuring the state’s development without any discrimination. He assured that no stone will be left unturned in the development of Bawani Khera. He also said that a permanent solution will be provided to the problem of waterlogging in the villages of the region.

MLA, Bhiwani, Sh. Ghanshyam Saraf and other dignitaries also remained present on this occasion.

Chandigarh August 8: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini today said that the State Government would extend full support and cooperation to Haryana investors keen on expanding their ventures in Tanzania. He said that the State Government has formed a separate Foreign Cooperation Department to provide “hand-holding” support aimed at enhancing international relationships and promoting the state’s vision of “Transforming Haryana through a Go Global Approach.”

The Chief Minister was presiding over a debriefing session with representatives of a high-level Haryana delegation that recently visited the 49th Dar Es Salaam International Trade Fair in Tanzania, held here today.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini urged industrialists to explore opportunities for establishing their ventures in Tanzania, assuring them that the State Government is committed to supporting their efforts by providing assistance through the relevant departments in their respective areas of interest.

It may be recalled that a high-level delegation from Haryana, comprising officers from various government departments as well as industrialists, exporters, traders, and representatives from different sectors, visited Tanzania to participate in the 49th Dar Es Salaam International Trade Fair. During the visit, detailed discussions were held between Haryana delegation and representatives of the Tanzanian government and companies to explore opportunities in sectors such as import-export, agricultural implements, IT skilling, mining, medical, and plywood.

Advisor of the Foreign Cooperation Department, Sh Pawan Choudhary, apprised the Chief Minister that the Haryana Pavilion was also set up at the 49th Dar Es Salaam International Trade Fair, highlighting the progressive policies and programs of the Haryana Government and showcasing the State as a preferred destination for investment. During the visit, two MOUs were signed, one between LUVAS and Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, and another between HARTRON and the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture, and Sports, Zanzibar. Additionally, investors from Haryana registered two companies namely Green Impex Limited (plywood) and Jai Dada Dohla Group Company Limited (mining sector) in Tanzania. The delegation also conducted 13 fruitful interactions and 4 field visits.

The industrialists, exporters, and traders expressed their gratitude to the Haryana government for its support throughout the visit, acknowledging the positive impact of the State’s assistance on their international ventures. They also shared their experiences from the Tanzania visit and submitted proposals to the Chief Minister for investments in agriculture, home appliances, education, packaging, plywood, and other sectors.

Chief Secretary Sh Anurag Rastogi, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh Rajesh Khullar, Commissioner and Secretary of Haryana Foreign Cooperation Department Smt. Amneet P. Kumar, Managing Director of Hartron Sh J. Ganesan, Managing Director of HSIIDC Dr Yash Garg, Administrator of Haryana Trade Fair Authority Sh Vinay Pratap Singh, Director of Haryana Foreign Cooperation Department Smt Amna Tasneem, Additional Director (Admn.) Information, Public Relations and Languages Department Smt Varsha Khangwal and the members of the delegation were present on this occasion. 

Chandigarh, August 8- In a landmark move to simplify electricity-related procedures and promote consumer-friendly governance, the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has notified the 6th Amendment to the Electricity Supply Code Regulations, 2014. The amendment has come into immediate effect upon its publication in the official Haryana Government Gazette and is applicable across the entire state.

Under this amendment, the existing provision was, In case of LT connections (other than domestic supply connections), where the transformer has been installed by the consumer and is exclusively for his supply, the transformer if and when required to be replaced/repaired for any reason including theft, shall be so replaced/repaired by sharing 20 percent of the cost by the consumer and 80 percent by the licensee (for replacement of DT within warranty period) or 10 percent of the cost by the consumer and 90 percent by the licensee (for replacement of DT beyond warranty period) except when the damage is due to natural events including cyclone, floods, storms or other occurrences beyond consumer’s control, in which case the licensee shall bear the entire cost of repair/replacement.

It was observed that the farmers of the State are financially burdened to pay the cost of Distribution Transformers for replacement/ repair in case of their individual transformers in the event of theft of the same. The Commission has decided to delete the aforementioned provision to relieve the farmers from this burden. 

Special Relief for Farmers

A noteworthy provision in the amendment provides relief to farmers. If an agricultural power (AP) connection needs to be shifted within a 70-meter radius of its original location on the same landholding, due to unavoidable reasons like borewell failure, land acquisition by the government, or water salinity, then the entire cost of relocation shall be borne by the licensee. This cost will be recovered by the licensee through its Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR).

Chairperson, HERC, Sh. Nand Lal Sharma, while approving the amendment said that this regulation is a historic step toward empowering consumer rights and extending genuine relief to farmers. It will make the electricity system more transparent, accountable, and technically robust.

Through this amendment, the Haryana Government has reaffirmed its commitment to consumer participation, technical compliance, and farmer welfare. This initiative is expected to strengthen trust, efficiency, and fairness in the power distribution system.

Chandigarh, August 8- Haryana Cooperation, Jails, Elections, Heritage, and Tourism Minister, Dr. Arvind Sharma, said that every public representative aspires for the development of their region.

The Cooperation Minister on Friday chaired a meeting with officers and public representatives at the Gohana Municipal Council. He directed officers concerned  to collect development demands from all councilors for their respective wards, prioritising three works each, and prepare estimates accordingly. These lists, he said, should be sent to him and Urban Local Bodies Minister, Sh. Vipul Goel so that necessary financial provisions can be arranged.

He further directed that officers should work in close coordination with public representatives to expedite development works, ensuring that the public benefits from them at the earliest.

Dr. Sharma stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the state government will ensure there is no shortage of funds for Gohana’s development.

The Minister also directed that Municipal Council House meetings be convened every month and that all councillors be given due hearing. He said  that whenever public representatives approach officers for solutions to any issue, it is the duty of the officers to respond satisfactorily and resolve the concerns of the public.

Chandigarh, August 8: As part of its ongoing efforts under the 10-day cleanliness campaign, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh today carried out a cleanliness drive in the Green Belt dividing Sector 11 and 12. The initiative was held in collaboration with Onkar Charitable Foundation and Don Bosco Navjeevan Society.

During the event, nearly 50 young volunteers from the “Swachh Yuva Doot – A Brigade for Cleanliness” actively participated by cleaning the park and collecting litter scattered across the green belt. The collected waste was then handed over to the Municipal Corporation’s garbage collection vehicle. The children also took the initiative to sensitize local residents in the area, encouraging them to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings and keep the city clean and green.

Area Councillor Sh. Sachin Galav also joined the drive and praised the dedication of the young participants, calling their efforts an inspiration for the entire city. He emphasized that just like we keep our homes clean, we must also take collective responsibility for our surroundings and city.

He urged everyone to draw motivation from the children and contribute towards making the city beautiful and hygienic.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a girl student, who asked for food from the cook of her residential school, was burned with a hot spatula, due to which she suffered burn injuries. Reportedly, the incident happened at Kasturba Gandhi Girls Residential School in the Shakurabad area of Jehanabad district, Bihar.  

The Commission has examined that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the victim. Therefore, it has issued notices to the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, Jehanabad, Bihar calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks. The report is expected to include the health status of the injured student.

According to the media report, carried on 5^th August, 2025, the cook was accused of a similar incident in the past and had previously been transferred to a different department due to a complaint against her.

Chandigarh, August 8:

Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C said that conduct of elections involves diverse activities carried out by an election machinery consisting of officials and staff requisitioned from various departments of the Central Government, State Governments, PSUs, Local Authorities etc. During the election period, the entire machinery, deployed on the ground, performs arduous and sensitive duties, which extend for long hours and even continue for many months, so as to ensure a conducive environment wherein electors are able to exercise their franchise and elect a government of their choice.

For ensuring that personnel on election duty are compensated suitably, the Election Commission has decided to revise the rates of remuneration/honorarium to be paid to personnel on election duty. The last such major revision of remuneration/honorarium was done between 2014 and 2016.

He said that ECI has  enhanced remuneration for Presiding Officers, Polling Officers, Counting personnel, Micro Observers and other officials. ECI also enhanced honorarium for Dy. DEOs, CAPF personnel and Sector Officers, CEO added.

Chandigarh, August 8 :

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal today launched 24 sector-wise Industrial Advisory Committees, envisioning a transformative step to establish Punjab as a hub of industry and commerce.

Addressing the gathering during the launch of this first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, National Convener of AAP termed it a historic day for Punjab. He said that the era prior to 2022 was dominated by extortion, where industrialists were coerced by political leaders to give up stakes in their businesses. As a result, Arvind Kejriwal said that industries fled the state, and Punjab was pushed into a crisis, particularly with the drug menace.

Highlighting the progress since 2022, National Convener of AAP said that the government under CM Bhagwant Mann has taken revolutionary steps to revive and grow the industrial sector. He lauded the Fast Track Punjab Portal as India’s most modern single-window clearance system, offering over 150 business services and eliminating the need for offline applications. Under the Punjab Right to Business Act, Arvind Kejriwal said that investment proposals up to ₹125 crore now receive in-principle approval within just three days.

The National Convener of AAP further shared that the state government has introduced several critical reforms, including color-coding of stamp papers, a 45-day timeline for granting approvals, and a Deemed Approval system if timelines are not met. He emphasized that the government has proactively involved industrialists to shape policies through initiatives like Sarkar-Sannatkar Milnis (Government-Industry Meetings). Arvind Kejriwal announced that moving forward, the Punjab Government will act upon the decisions taken by these committees.

The National Convener of AAP said that This is a reverse trend – now, the government won’t dictate terms, but will implement the decisions taken by industrialists through these sectoral committees. He stated that these committees will also study best practices from other states and replicate them in Punjab to boost industrial growth. Arvind Kejriwal said that 99% of the decisions made by these committees will be implemented.

In his address, the Chief Minister said that Punjab is already taking the lead nationally in various sectors and is quickly emerging as a role model. Recalling the government-industry interaction in September 2023, he said the idea of these 24 sector-specific committees was born out of those consultations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these committees will be responsible for drafting detailed strategies tailored to each industrial domain.

The Chief Minister noted that many industrialists present at the event are also committee members and expressed confidence that these groups will draft the roadmap for Punjab’s industrial future. He asserted that while preparing the New Industrial Policy, these committees will ensure equal partnership from industry stakeholders. Bhagwant Singh Mann  urged all industrialists to actively contribute ideas and share their valuable suggestions in formulating industry-friendly policies.

The Chief Minister called on them to ensure that their recommendations reflect Punjab’s industrial strengths, realistic challenges, and financial context. He elaborated that each committee would consist of a Chairperson, a Member Secretary, and officials from the Punjab Bureau of Industrial Investment and District Industries Centres. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has ensured representation from large units, MSMEs, sub-sectors, and all regions to ensure inclusive decision-making.

The Chief Minister said that There are immense opportunities for growth in Punjab and we are standing at a decisive turning point. He said that With the support of these committees, the state can create a forward-looking, globally competitive industrial ecosystem. Bhagwant Singh Mann invited industrialists to move forward as equal partners in making Punjab the most preferred industrial and export hub of India.

Expressing optimism, the Chief Minister said that the state government will soon realize the dream of making Punjab vibrant and prosperous once again. Welcoming the captains of industry, he highlighted that Punjab is already leading in key sectors like food processing, textiles, auto components, hand tools, bicycle manufacturing, IT, and tourism. Bhagwant Singh Mann proudly shared that since March 2022, Punjab has received investment proposals worth ₹1.14 lakh crore, leading to the creation of over 4.5 lakh job opportunities.

The Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab has become a preferred destination for global investors, with countries such as Japan, the USA, Germany, the UK, Dubai, South Korea, Singapore, and Spain showing keen interest in the state. He added that such progress has been possible due to industry-friendly policies, corruption-free governance, and a conducive investment environment. Bhagwant Singh Mann ighlighted other progressive steps like real-time investor support via WhatsApp, Chatbot AI, and call centers, and simplification of processes like Fire NOC extensions and Leasehold-to-Freehold conversions.

The Chief Minister asserted that the government believes in walking shoulder-to-shoulder with industry and hence has brought investors and key stakeholders into the policy-making fold. Reflecting on the dark past, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that under previous regimes, entrepreneurs were pressured and exploited. “Those leaders looted the people and their hands were stained with the blood of Punjab,” he said.

But today, the Chief Minister said that state has a government of the common people, providing equal opportunities for all. He reiterated that the current administration is not harassing industrialists but is actively promoting and facilitating industry. “These committees will now act as a catalyst in our efforts,” he said, asserting that Punjab is fast emerging as a frontrunner in industrial development.

The Chief Minister also addressed social issues, stating that corruption and drugs were the biggest stains on Punjab’s identity. However, he said that the state government is vigorously working to eliminate both. Bhagwant Singh Mann noted that the anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh’ has already started showing positive results, and Punjab is on its way to becoming drug-free. He concluded by stating that Punjab will continue to lead in every sector and that Punjabis will shine globally.

Earlier, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora welcomed the dignitaries, and Secretary Industries KK Yadav delivered the vote of thanks.

Chandigarh, August 8:

Punjab Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, today announced that, for the first time in Punjab, two modern hostels will be constructed for students belonging to Backward Classes. The first instalment of ₹1.12 crore has been approved for these hostels, which will soon be transferred to the accounts of Punjabi University, Patiala, enabling construction to commence immediately. These hostels — one for boys and one for girls — will have a capacity of 100 students each and will be built at a total cost of ₹6.99 crore.

Sharing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that each hostel will cost ₹3.49 crore. Both hostels will be equipped with modern facilities, comfortable rooms, a conducive study environment, and other essential amenities to help students focus entirely on their education.

She added that this initiative is part of the Punjab Government’s continuous efforts towards the construction of hostels for students from Backward Classes. This step will remove obstacles faced by students coming from remote areas by providing them with proper residential facilities to pursue higher education.

Reiterating her government’s commitment, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the Punjab Government is dedicated to student-centric development, self-reliance, and capacity building. She pointed out that due to the shortage of hostels, many students from Backward Classes were earlier deprived of educational opportunities, which is why the government is prioritizing new hostel projects.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further informed that the Punjab Government has invited proposals for constructing new hostels in other higher educational institutions across the state, so that students from all regions can access quality residential facilities.

She emphasized that this project is not merely about infrastructure development but is also a significant step towards empowering the youth from Backward Classes socially and making them active contributors to the state’s progress. She expressed hope that such initiatives will pave the way for more student-friendly schemes in the future.