Chandigarh, December 22— Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that India is the world’s largest democracy and the Election Commission is a constitutional body. Casting aspersions on such an institution, he remarked, is almost sacrilegious. He further said that despite this, the opposition has repeatedly attempted to question the credibility of this sacred institution and should therefore participate in a detailed discussion on the issue within the House.

The Chief Minister was speaking on Monday during the Winter Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha while participating in the discussion on a resolution moved by MLA, Sh. Ramkumar Kashyap regarding the situation arising out of ongoing electoral reforms related to the preparation of voter rolls.

He said that the opposition has been making baseless allegations and has now walked out of the House on this issue. This, he said, is the third instance of such a walkout by the opposition. As Leader of the House, the Chief Minister appealed to the Speaker to call back the opposition members so that a constructive and meaningful discussion could take place. He emphasized that it is essential for the people of the country and the state to understand what is right and what is wrong clearly.

Chandigarh, December 22 — The Haryana Vidhan Sabha today passed the Haryana Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2025, a major reform initiative aimed at reducing the compliance burden on smaller establishments while promoting economic growth and ensuring continued protection of workers.

The Amendment Act increases the threshold for applicability of registration and other regulatory provisions from establishments employing zero workers to those employing 20 or more workers. Establishments with less than 20 employees will no longer be required to obtain a registration certificate under the Act and will only need to provide an intimation of their business. This step is intended to ease regulatory pressure on small businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, promote job creation, and eliminate fear of non-compliance.

The Act also provides greater operational flexibility by increasing the permissible daily working hours from the existing nine hours to ten hours, inclusive of rest intervals, subject to a maximum of forty-eight hours in any week. This measure will help establishments manage peak demand, emergencies, and staff shortages without disruption, while maintaining safeguards on weekly working hours.

To address exceptional work pressure and enhance workers’ earning opportunities, the overtime limit within a quarter has been increased from 50 hours to 156 hours. This change will formalize overtime practices by ensuring that additional working hours are properly recorded and compensated, thereby helping to prevent exploitation of workers. Overtime work, however, will remain voluntary and not mandatory for employees.

In order to promote greater formalization in the job market, the Amendment Act makes the issuance of appointment letters and identity cards mandatory. This provision will create verified employment records, support skill mapping, improve welfare delivery, increase transparency, enhance employee retention, and contribute to ease of living for workers.

The Act further decriminalizes certain contraventions by removing the provision of imprisonment and retaining only monetary penalties. The maximum fine has been increased up to Rs 25000 to ensure effective enforcement without diluting the spirit of the law. This reform seeks to maintain a harmonious balance between the rights of workers and the interests of establishments.

The Haryana Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2025 reflects the Haryana Government’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment, strengthening worker welfare, and driving sustainable economic growth through balanced and progressive reforms.

Chandigarh, December 22 — Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini strongly condemned the Opposition’s walkout on the final day of the Winter Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha and extended his support to the condemnation motion moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda. He said that walking out of the House during a discussion on a proposal related to the ongoing electoral reforms concerning the preparation of voter lists was highly inappropriate.

The Chief Minister said that the truth behind the Congress party’s claims must come out today. He alleged that Congress has been consistently spreading falsehoods, and it is important for the people of the state and the country to know the reality. He said the government had come to the House fully prepared to counter the Opposition with facts, but the Opposition members refused to listen to the ruling side. By abandoning the discussion midway, the Opposition exposed the falsity of its own claims before the entire state, which he strongly denounced.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini further said that the Congress party had betrayed the trust of the people. Referring to this issue, MLA, Sh. Ram Kumar Kashyap had brought a proposal for discussion. He expressed serious objection, stating that when a member brings a proposal following constitutional procedures, the Opposition was not even willing to listen to it. As long as the Opposition members remained in the House, they did not allow the ruling party members to speak, and eventually chose to walk out.

Displaying a copy of the Constitution in the House, the Chief Minister said that the proposal was brought precisely because the Opposition had spread confusion across the state and the country by alleging ‘vote theft’. The intent of the discussion was to place facts on record and clearly separate truth from falsehood.

Taking a dig at the Opposition,  Sh. Nayab Singh Saini remarked that the Opposition could not have participated in the debate anyway, as lies have no foundation. He said the Opposition had spread a major false narrative, questioned the faith of voters, and even cast aspersions on the Election Commission, a constitutional authority. He said  that it was unfortunate that when ruling party members were presenting their views in the House, the Opposition resorted to using threatening language.

He said that three resolutions were placed before the House. The first was to hold a discussion on the completion of 150 years of Vande Mataram, but the Opposition was not even willing to debate that. The people of the state have seen this. Vande Mataram is not a trivial subject. The revolutionary heroes of our freedom struggle would rise against British oppression on hearing it and were unafraid even of bullets. A slogan that has inspired millions across the country was also avoided by the Opposition, which chose to run away from discussion. Everyone witnessed how Opposition members disrupted the proceedings of the House.

The Chief Minister said that in this August House, the Opposition brought a no-confidence motion against the government. Both before the start of the Assembly session and during it, the government clearly stated that it was ready for discussion on every issue. This is a non-stop government functioning under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, working for the welfare of every citizen of Haryana. Yet, even on the no-confidence motion, the Opposition failed to engage in debate and walked away. Similarly, when a resolution on electoral reforms was brought today, they once again staged a walkout.

Displaying a copy of the Constitution in the House, the Chief Minister said that this sacred Constitution was given to the nation by the Constituent Assembly led by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. However, he remarked that Congress leader, Sh. Rahul Gandhi seems to be following a different Constitution altogether, and that the Congress is disrespecting the Constitution drafted by Dr. Ambedkar. He alleged that Congress leaders carry a book to various public platforms and spread misinformation by claiming that if Sh. Narendra Modi becomes Prime Minister for a third term, the Constitution would be in danger.

Sh.  Nayab Singh Saini said that the Opposition is repeatedly raising this issue and misleading the nation. He added that Congress leader, Sh. Rahul Gandhi has even targeted Haryana in this regard. The ruling side has all the facts to show how vote manipulation took place during the Congress regime, with cases related to it still pending in courts today. He appealed to the people to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and to judge for themselves how the Congress spread misinformation for a long time.

Chandigarh, December 22 — The Haryana Vidhan Sabha today passed the Haryana Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2025, a major reform initiative aimed at reducing the compliance burden on smaller establishments while promoting economic growth and ensuring continued protection of workers.

The Amendment Act increases the threshold for applicability of registration and other regulatory provisions from establishments employing zero workers to those employing 20 or more workers. Establishments with less than 20 employees will no longer be required to obtain a registration certificate under the Act and will only need to provide an intimation of their business. This step is intended to ease regulatory pressure on small businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, promote job creation, and eliminate fear of non-compliance.

The Act also provides greater operational flexibility by increasing the permissible daily working hours from the existing nine hours to ten hours, inclusive of rest intervals, subject to a maximum of forty-eight hours in any week. This measure will help establishments manage peak demand, emergencies, and staff shortages without disruption, while maintaining safeguards on weekly working hours.

To address exceptional work pressure and enhance workers’ earning opportunities, the overtime limit within a quarter has been increased from 50 hours to 156 hours. This change will formalize overtime practices by ensuring that additional working hours are properly recorded and compensated, thereby helping to prevent exploitation of workers. Overtime work, however, will remain voluntary and not mandatory for employees.

In order to promote greater formalization in the job market, the Amendment Act makes the issuance of appointment letters and identity cards mandatory. This provision will create verified employment records, support skill mapping, improve welfare delivery, increase transparency, enhance employee retention, and contribute to ease of living for workers.

The Act further decriminalizes certain contraventions by removing the provision of imprisonment and retaining only monetary penalties. The maximum fine has been increased up to Rs 25000 to ensure effective enforcement without diluting the spirit of the law. This reform seeks to maintain a harmonious balance between the rights of workers and the interests of establishments.

The Haryana Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, 2025 reflects the Haryana Government’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment, strengthening worker welfare, and driving sustainable economic growth through balanced and progressive reforms.

Chandigarh, December 22 –Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that during the Winter Session of Haryana Assembly, which commenced on December 18, about 23 hours of positive discussion took place across four sittings. The Chief Minister thanked the Speaker of the Assembly Sh. Harvinder Singh Kalyan, members of both the Treasury Benches and the Opposition who participated in the discussions, as well as the officers, employees and journalists, for the smooth conduct of the session.

Interacting with mediapersons on the concluding day of the Winter Session, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the Congress’ attitude was indifferent towards the 2.80 crore people of the state. Bringing a no-confidence motion against a government formed with a clear majority and the mandate of the people is unfortunate. He further said that the Congress neither participated in the discussion on the proposal for electoral reforms nor did it debate constructively, and walking out of the House amounts to casting aspersions on constitutional institutions.

He said that the government also passed a condemnation motion in the Assembly against the Congress’ negative conduct. Their walkout from the House proves how serious the Congress party is about issues of public interest. He urged the people to recognise their falsehoods, adding that the Congress knew that if it remained in the House, its lies would be exposed. The government responded positively to every issue raised in the House, he added.
The Chief Minister said that 16 Bills were passed during this session. With the implementation of the Jan Vishwas Bill, unnecessary litigation will be reduced, the compliance burden on citizens and businesses will ease, and investor confidence will be further strengthened in line with the principle of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.” Through this Bill, 164 minor provisions under 42 State Acts have been decriminalised. These relate to departments like Urban Local Bodies, Revenue, Health, Agriculture, Fire Services, Town and Country Planning, Excise, among others.

He said that during the Winter Session, a Calling Attention Motion regarding the shortage of trained teachers and instructors was discussed. He clarified that through various efforts, the shortage has been addressed. Out of 2,784 sanctioned posts of vocational teachers, 2,052 have been filled.

He further stated that on the final day of the session, electoral reform processes were also discussed. This is an essential constitutional safeguard to ensure the purity of Indian democracy and national security. Its primary objective is to make the electoral rolls error-free by removing deceased voters and duplicate entries and by adding eligible new voters. This is a constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission under Article 324, which is vital for maintaining electoral fairness and preventing “vote theft.”

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the nation is witnessing the completion of 150 years of “Vande Mataram.” The 150-year journey of Vande Mataram reflects the soul of the nation, its cultural consciousness, and the ascetic journey of our freedom struggle. Over the coming year, programmes will be organised to spread awareness about Vande Mataram.

The Chief Minister said under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, more than 1.5 lakh people have been provided houses and handed over keys, while 4,000 beneficiaries have been allotted 100-square-yard plots. Additionally, providing health benefits of up to Rs. 5 lakh to poor families under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme reflects Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering the poor.

On this occasion, BJP State President Sh. Mohan Lal Kaushik, Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Sh. Parth Gupta, Media Advisor Sh. Rajiv Jaitley and Media Secretary Sh. Praveen Attrey were also present.

BACK IN MESOZOIC (DINOSAUR) ERA: QUIPS CM

Dhuri, December 21:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said that while state government is making strenuous efforts to prepare Punjabi youth for futuristic needs by making them Doctor and Engineers, Akali Dal is bent upon dragging them back to Mesozoic (Dinosaur) Era in the state.

Interacting with the media persons here today, the Chief Minister said that the AAP government is trying to make Punjab’s youth doctors and engineers, so that they can excel in lives. However, he said that the Akali Dal, who had ruined the youth by introducing drugs in the state, wants to take the state back to the dinosaur era. In a humorous tone, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the’ “dinosaur” of Akalis is actually just a plastic toy filled with air which will be deflated soon by the people.

The Chief Minister said that the participation of 23.3 lakh parents in recent mega teacher-parent meetings in government schools is a very good sign, reflecting a bright future for Punjab. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this was a paradigm shift as such PTMs were a regular practice earlier in private schools but were missing in government schools. He said that this is one of the best practices of education being adopted here for the well being of the students.

On being asked about the Nagar Kirtan protest issue in New Zealand, the Chief Minister said that the Government of India should take up this matter with the New Zealand government. He added that New Zealand is an educated country and that the issue of migration has become a global concern. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated the firm commitment of state government to safeguard interest of Punjab and Punjabis.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister held a meeting with panchayats in Dhuri Assembly constituency and reviewed the progress of development projects. Addressing the elected representatives, he said that they should understand the issues of villages and the people, and make every effort to resolve them. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasised that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) should be utilized to the fullest so that the needy get employment and development works are completed efficiently.

The Chief Minister urged the Sarpanchs that development works must be carried out on a priority basis and there should be no complaints. He exhorted  sarpanches, panchayats, and the newly elected members of the Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad to rise above party lines and focus on development. Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the Punjab government’s main objective is to provide every village with facilities at par with the cities.

The Chief Minister said that completion of community centers should be prioritized so that common people can get maximum benefit. He stressed that there must be full coordination among officials for development work and assured that there would be no shortage of funds for panchayats. Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that every village would be connected through a mini-bus service, and bus permits would be issued to youths.

Earlier, the Chief Minister congratulated the newly elected members of Zila Parishads and Block Committees and urged them to work for solving people’s problems. He informed that their oath-taking ceremony will be held in the first week of January, followed by training sessions at MGSIPA (Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration) about their duties and responsibilities. Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed satisfaction that development works are progressing rapidly which is a positive sign as for the first time, development works are actively underway in every village.

Chandigarh, 21 December 2025:

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that the entire Sikh community respect the Sahibzadas and given them the title ‘Babas’ because the Sahibzadas of Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji had made great sacrifices at childhood age.

However, the unique martyrdom of the Sahibzadas are not limited to one country, one community and one ideology. Speaker Sandhwan respects the sentiments of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to observe the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas at the national level.

But, naming the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas as Veer Bal Diwas is not aligned with traditions of Sikhism.We hope that the Prime Minister will take an appropriate decision with regard to naming the martyrdom day of Sahibzadas, keeping in mind the sentimens of Sikh community.  In this way, the unparalleled story of martyrdom of Sahibzadas will reach in the minds of our children as well as respect for the sentiments of the nation will also be maintained, he added.

मोहाली, 21 दिसंबर,2025

फ्रेंड्स स्पोर्ट्स और सोशल वेलफेयर सोसाइटी द्वारा रेज़िडेंट वेलफेयर एसोसिएशन के सहयोग से सोसाइटी के अध्यक्ष अमरजीत सिंह के नेतृत्व में 7वां खेल मेला आयोजित किया गया। इस अवसर पर मोहाली के विधायक कुलवंत सिंह ने मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में शिरकत की और खिलाड़ियों का उत्साहवर्धन किया।

पत्रकारों से बातचीत करते हुए विधायक कुलवंत सिंह ने कहा कि सबसे पहले वे सोसाइटी के अध्यक्ष अमरजीत सिंह, बलिंदर सिंह सहित पूरी टीम का दिल से धन्यवाद और बधाई देते हैं, जिन्होंने पिछले 11 वर्षों से लगातार खेल मेले का आयोजन किया है। यह खिलाड़ियों के लिए एक बड़ा प्रयास है, क्योंकि इससे बच्चों को खेल मैदानों की ओर आकर्षित करने के लिए अनुकूल वातावरण तैयार किया जा रहा है और युवाओं को खेलों से मजबूती से जोड़ा जा रहा है।

उन्होंने कहा कि सोसाइटी की टीम जहां खिलाड़ियों को आवश्यक खेल सामग्री उपलब्ध करवा रही है, वहीं सांस्कृतिक गतिविधियों के साथ-साथ समाजसेवी कार्यों को भी लगातार जारी रखे हुए है।

विधायक कुलवंत सिंह ने स्वर्गीय अमरीक सिंह तहसीलदार को याद करते हुए कहा कि भले ही वे आज हमारे बीच नहीं हैं, लेकिन ऐसा प्रतीत होता है कि वे हमारे आसपास ही मौजूद हैं, क्योंकि उन्होंने जिस लोक सेवा की परंपरा की शुरुआत की थी, उसे उनके बच्चों ने बखूबी संभाल कर रखा है। स्वर्गीय अमरीक सिंह तहसीलदार वर्ष 1995 में काउंसलर बने थे और अपने शुरुआती दिनों में मैंने उन्हीं से काम सीखा। वे शाम के समय हाथ में कॉपी लेकर अपने वार्ड का दौरा करते, समस्याओं को नोट करते और उनका तुरंत समाधान करवाते थे। हर गली-मोहल्ले पर नजर रखते थे कि कहीं सड़क खराब है या स्ट्रीट लाइट/बल्ब खराब है, तो उसे तुरंत ठीक करवाते थे।

विधायक ने कहा कि उन्होंने गांवों में ऐसे कई खेल मेले देखे हैं और लगभग रोजाना किसी न किसी खेल मेले में शामिल भी होते हैं, लेकिन शहर में, विशेषकर मोहाली जैसे शहर में खेल मेला आयोजित करना अपने आप में एक अनूठा प्रयास है। इस पहल के लिए अमरजीत सिंह, बलिंदर सिंह और पूरी टीम बधाई की पात्र है। उन्होंने अपील की कि अन्य सेक्टरों और फेज़ों में भी ऐसे खेल मेलों का आयोजन किया जाए, ताकि युवाओं को खेलों से जोड़ा जा सके।

इस अवसर पर सोसाइटी अध्यक्ष अमरजीत सिंह के अलावा बलिंदर सिंह, डॉ. कुलदीप सिंह, जगजीत सिंह (गोबिंदगढ़), हरपाल सिंह चन्ना, गुरप्रीत सिंह कुरड़ा और धर्मप्रीत सिंह पंच भी उपस्थित थे।

Mumbai / New Delhi / 21st, December.

The General Secretary of All India Congress Committee, former Union Minister, and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja said that in the name of so-called reforms, the Modi government has destroyed the very soul of MNREGA, the world’s largest employment guarantee scheme. This amounts to snatching the right to work from the poor and is a direct attack on Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of Gram Swaraj. Addressing a press conference on Sunday at the Regional Congress Office in Mumbai, Kumari Selja said the MNREGA is not merely a scheme, but has been the economic lifeline of crores of rural families. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, this scheme provided support to rural India. However, since 2014, the Central Government has systematically weakened MNREGA through continuous budget cuts, delays in wage payments, cancellation of job cards, and Aadhaar-based conditionalities, as a result of which workers are now able to get barely 50–55 days of work in a year. 

Kumari Selja said the new framework is dismantling the constitutional character of MNREGA and converting it into a centrally controlled, conditional scheme. Earlier, it was a legal right of workers; now it is being made dependent on administrative discretion. This also constitutes a serious attack on the federal structure, as the Centre retains control while imposing an additional financial burden on the states. Kumari Selja alleged that by taking away the powers of Gram Sabhas and Panchayats, the system is being placed under excessive centralized digital control, which will ignore local needs and the real demands of the poor. Ending the demand-driven nature of MNREGA and replacing it with a budget-capped system is akin to abolishing the right to rural employment. She said this is an insult to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and an open conspiracy against the rural poor. 

The MP said until now MNREGA was a guarantee based on rights derived from Article 21 of the Constitution. MNREGA was earlier fully funded by the Central Government, but now the Modi government wants to shift a burden of around ₹50,000 crore or more onto the states, potentially forcing them to bear nearly 40 percent of the expenditure. The Congress Party will oppose this anti-people, anti-worker, and anti-federal decision on every platform-from the streets to Parliament.

:-It is Sonia Gandhi’s vision that guaranteed work to the labouring class:-Kumari Selja

The MP Kumari Selja said that a historic scheme like MNREGA gives the country’s labourers and poor the right to live with dignity. She said the passage of MNREGA in Parliament was driven by Sonia Gandhi’s far-sighted vision, while Dr. Manmohan Singh’s government implemented it effectively and ensured that it reached every household. Selja said the MNREGA did not give alms to the poor, but a legal right to work, and became the most successful employment guarantee scheme for rural India. Selja said the poverty cannot be eliminated merely by transferring money into bank accounts. Today, the BJP government is weakening MNREGA and snatching the livelihoods of the poor, which is outright injustice and an anti-worker policy.

Chandigarh, December 21:

With a view to ensure the increase in forest cover in the State as well as leaving a clean and green environment for the future generations, the Forests and Wildlife Preservation Department under the guidance of Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak initiated a score of path breaking initiatives during 2025.

The novel measures include developing 8 Forest & Nature Awareness Parks. Four of these parks are being developed in Pathankot, 2 in Patiala and 1 each in Amritsar and Hoshiarpur under the Greening Punjab Mission.

The Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department under the tutelage of Cabinet Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak is working on war footing with regard to the completion of these projects. In Pathankot, Environment Parks are coming up at Village Gharota (0.50 Hectare), Kataruchak (0.75 Hectare), Panchayat land at Haibat Pindi (0.60 Hectare) and ITI Bamiyal. Likewise, the environment parks are in the process of being developed in Patiala at two spots including Baron Minor. In Amritsar, environment park is coming up at village Jagdev Kalan Pul while a Van Chetna Park is underway at Bassi Purani in Hoshiarpur.

As regarding the park at Haibat Pind, the work concerning nature trail with interlocking tiles has been completed while the installation of play equipments and the open air shelters (Gazebo) is currently underway. At Gharota also, the work concerning nature trail with interlocking tiles has been completed while the installation of play equipments and the open air shelters (Gazebo) is currently underway. In Village Kataruchak, the work to install nature trail with interlocking tiles and the play equipments installation is continuing at a very rapid pace.

It has been the sincere endeavour of the State Government to ensure maximum possible green cover as well as undertake measures to protect the environment for the sake of posterity. In this regard, the Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department, Punjab, drafted ‘The Punjab Protection of Trees Act, 2025’ with the aim to maintain green cover, ensuring ecological balance and preventing the pollution of environment besides conserving the soil.

The Act would be extendable to all the urban areas of Punjab. As per the act, the limits of a Nagar Council, Municipal Corporation, Notified Area Committee, Town Area Committee or any Urban Development Authority/Body. It also has the provision of a Tree Officer which means an Executive Officer in the urban local bodies in Punjab or any other officer so notified by the State Government.

Besides, the fencing work was completed at the Chhatbir Zoo at a cost of Rs. 1.33 Crores and the upgradation of facilities apart from beautification was also done.