Category Archives: Chandigarh

Union Budget to expand health facilities in Haryana: Kumari Aarti Singh Rao

Chandigarh, February 1

Haryana Health Minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao hails the Union Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, calling it a budget that caters to the needs of all sections of society, including the poor and the middle class. Reacting to the budget, she stated that it will significantly enhance health facilities in Haryana.

Kumari Arti Singh Rao said that the budget would promote the expansion of medical education. To address the shortage of healthcare professionals, the Central Government has announced an increase of 10,000 medical seats in the coming year, with plans to expand this to 75,000 seats over the next five years. This initiative is expected to increase the number of doctors and specialists, particularly in rural and underserved areas, improving access to healthcare.

The Health Minister also praised the announcement of establishing “Day-Care Cancer Centres” in district hospitals, calling it a historic move. She said that this initiative will be a significant step in improving cancer care, enabling patients, especially those from rural areas, to receive affordable and timely treatment without the need to travel long distances.

Welcoming the exemption of several life-saving drugs and medicines from customs duty in the budget, Kumari Arti Singh Rao said that 36 life-saving drugs and medicines have been exempted from customs duty, while six drugs will fall under the 5% duty category. Additionally, 37 drugs and 13 new patient support programs have been added to the list of exemptions. This move will make critical treatments for diseases such as cancer, rare disorders, and serious chronic conditions more affordable for patients.

The Health Minister also praised the ‘Heal in India’ initiative introduced by the Central Government, saying it will not only promote medical tourism but also simplify the visa process.

Kumari Arti Singh Rao expressed her gratitude to Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, describing the budget as a step towards revolutionary changes in the healthcare sector.

Work begins to strengthen Tangri Dam (Ambala Cantt) towards Rampur-Sarsehdi, Preventing Tangri River water from entering the city: Anil Vij

Chandigarh, February 1

Haryana Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister, Sh Anil Vij said that work has begun to strengthen the Tangri River dam (Ambala) towards Rampur-Sarseheri in order to prevent the river water from entering the city.

Sh Anil Vij said this while laying the foundation stone for the project to raise and reinforce the Tangri River dam (embankment) from Rampur-Sarseheri to Jagadhari Road in Ambala. The project is being carried out at a cost of Rs. 2.67 crore.

He said that in the past, there was significant damage in areas like Rampur-Sarseheri due to river water. Initially, a temporary kutcha dam was constructed, but now it is being strengthened with stone pitching and soil. In addition, a permanent dam will be built from Jagadhari Road to Chandpura to further protect the area.

A dam will be built from Jagadhari Road to the railway line so that the water of Tangri does not enter the city: Vij

The minister further said that a plan has been developed to deepen the bed of the Tangri River in the future, which will help prevent water entering areas like Kardahan, Naggal, Prabhu Prem Puram, and other nearby colonies. As the approval is being received, work is being done on the plans. Additionally, a dam will be constructed from Jagadhari Road to the railway line to ensure that the Tangri River water does not enter the city. Once permission is granted by the mining department, river sand will be extracted, and the river will be deepened by 15-20 feet to enhance flood control measures.

Minister Anil Vij said that the Tangri River is a seasonal river that flows through the middle of the city. He said that during the rainy season, the river causes flood-like conditions in the city, leading to significant challenges for residents and infrastructure.

Instructions given to close the drain coming from Ramgarh Majra to Tangri river

During the program, Minister Anil Vij also directed the SDM of Ambala Cantt to close the drain flowing from Ramgarh Majra into the Tangri River, as he expressed concerns that water from the river could enter the city through this drain at any time. He further instructed that additional measures be put in place to help drain the water from the area more effectively.

The Minister informed that the tender for paving the remaining section of the Maheshnagar drain has been finalized, with Rs 24 crore already deposited by the Municipal Council to the Irrigation Department for the work.

Earlier, Energy and Transport Minister Anil Vij was warmly welcomed by the workers and local residents of Rampur-Sarsehdi upon his arrival at the program. He then laid the foundation stone for the work to strengthen the Tangri River dam.

Arvind Sharma praises Union Budget, Calls it a boost for poor, farmers, youth and women

Chandigarh, February 1

Haryana Cooperation, Prisons, Heritage, and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma hailed the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, describing it a plan that empowers the poor, youth, farmers, and women by making them self-reliant. He highlighted the income tax exemption for employed citizens earning up to Rs 12 lakh as a significant relief for the middle class. Describing the budget as excellent, Dr. Sharma expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for their efforts.

He said that in the third consecutive term of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, the general budget has been presented with a focus on improving the lives of ordinary citizens, accelerating development, and enhancing the capacity of the middle class. Dr. Arvind Sharma highlighted that the budget reflects the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed and empowered India. The budget prioritizes the empowerment of the poor, youth, farmers, and women.

To improve the treatment and early detection of cancer, the budget has made cancer medications more affordable by removing duties, and plans to set up Cancer Day Care centers in every district over the next three years will provide significant relief to patients. He also praised the extension of the Har Ghar Nal Se Jal Yojana until 2028, the provision of term loans up to Rs. 2 crore for women entrepreneurs, and the increase in the credit card limit for farmers from Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh.

He said that the General Budget has been thoughtfully structured to ensure that all sections of society receive the support they need for proper development.

Haryana government committed to strengthen the healthcare system across the state: Shyam Singh Rana

Chandigarh, February 1 – Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Mr. Shyam Singh Rana stated that the State Government is implementing various health programs aimed at strengthening the healthcare system in the state. These initiatives provide free tests, consultations, and treatments at government health centers, with additional benefits extended to the public through regular camps.

Mr. Rana was speaking as the chief guest at a check-up camp held today at the Sub-Civil Hospital Jagadhri in Yamunanagar district, organized under the “Nirogi Program.” The event also featured a blood donation camp and a felicitation ceremony. During the camp, 125 individuals received health check-ups, and 65 blood donors contributed to the camp’s efforts.

The Agriculture Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi at the national level and Chief Minister Mr. Nayab Singh Saini at the state level, the government is deeply committed to the health and well-being of every citizen. He said that the government has introduced the Ayushman Card Scheme and the Antyodaya Scheme for public welfare. Furthermore, the Nirogi Program is being implemented to offer health check-ups, laboratory tests, and treatments for citizens.

During the event, Mr. Rana also distributed electronic and regular wheelchairs to patients in need.

Chief Minister approves Rs 146.57 crore for development of Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority, Sohna and Pataudi constituencies

Chandigarh, February 1

Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini has granted administrative approval for two projects of the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority and road repairs in the Sohna and Pataudi constituencies, totaling over Rs 146.57 crore.

A government spokesperson said that the Chief Minister has approved Rs 135.33 crore for the two projects of the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority. The funds will be used for the beautification and restoration of two water streams that flow through Panchkula city. These include Singh Nala Chauraha, from MDC to Rajiv-Indira Colony, Panchkula, and from Sector 1 to the Industrial Area, Phase-1, in Panchkula.

In addition, Chief Minister has approved Rs 11.24 crore for the repair of roads in the Sohna and Pataudi constituencies. He stated that, among these roads, a 7 km stretch from Palwal Sohna Road to Jaurasi in Nuh district (Sohna constituency) will be constructed at a cost of Rs 7.22 crore.

The Chief Minister further informed that for five roads in the Pataudi constituency, the following approvals have been made: Rs 10.97 lakh for relaying and re-fixing the CCB on HNPP Road to Shamshan Ghat Bhora Kalan in Gurugram district, Rs 33.43 lakh for the construction of an internal road up to Dhani Shankarwali in Gurugram district, Rs 67.97 lakh for a new road from village Sherpur to Hakadarpur in Gurugram district, Rs 134.21 lakh for the construction of a new road from Garhi Nathekhan to Musedpur in Gurugram district, and Rs 154.91 lakh for the construction of a new road from Jasat to village Chowki No. 1.

Budget will realize the resolution of Developed India by 2047: Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam

Chandigarh, February 1

Haryana Minister of State for Sports, Youth Entrepreneurship, and Law and Legislative, Sh Gaurav Gautam, has termed the Union Budget 2025-26 as historic, stating that it is a significant step toward a self-reliant and developed India. He said that this budget will prove to be a milestone in fulfilling the aspirations of all sections of society.

Sh Gaurav Gautam highlighted that the budget, which is all-inclusive, focuses on key sectors such as infrastructure, digital economy, education, health, agriculture, defense, and employment generation, aiming to accelerate the country’s development journey for the next 25 years. He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, India is steadily progressing on the path of continuous development, and this budget serves as a blueprint for making India a global economic superpower.

The Sports Minister praised the vision of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and the economic policies of Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, which have resulted in a pro-people and public welfare budget aligned with the sentiments of the people. Describing the budget as public welfare-oriented, he said it is an inclusive approach focusing on the overall development of the poor, middle class, youth, farmers, and women.

Sh Gaurav Gautam also commended the decision to make annual income up to Rs 12 lakh tax-free, calling it a revolutionary step that will boost the hopes and aspirations of the middle class. He termed this budget a historic milestone for the welfare of 140 crore Indians and for advancing the vision of a self-reliant India.

Union Budget Completely Neglect Punjab, particularly its Border Areas: Harbhajan Singh ETO

Chandigarh, February 1

Punjab Power and Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO has expressed deep disappointment over the Union Budget presented by Nirmala Sitharaman, citing its complete neglect of Punjab, particularly its border areas.

“The Union Budget has failed to address the critical needs of Punjab, especially its border districts, which require special attention and support,” said Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO while adding that as a border state, Punjab faces unique challenges that demand tailored solutions, but the budget has overlooked these concerns entirely.

Minister ETO emphasized that the budget’s silence on Punjab’s demands is a clear indication of the BJP led Union government’s lack of commitment to the state’s development. “Punjab has been consistently raising its concerns and demands, but the central government has chosen to ignore them,” he said.

Cabinet Minister ETO reiterated that the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the state’s development and will continue to fight for its rightful demands. “We will not let the Union government’s neglect deter us from our mission to build a prosperous and developed Punjab,” he said.

Leaving no stone unturned to ensure clean and sufficient drinking water in Punjab villages: Mundian

Chandigarh, February 1

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led State Government will leave no stone unturned to provide clean and sufficient drinking water to the villages of the state.

Disclosing this here today, Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Hardip Singh Mundian said that in order to overcome the problem of water quality and its shortage, the department is running 15 major canal water projects at a cost of Rs. 2174 Crore, and work is going on war footing with regard to these projects. He said that from March onwards, these projects will start getting completed in a phased manner and all the projects will be completed by the end of the year.

Mr. Mundian further said that after the completion of this project, 1706 villages will be covered, which will benefit a population of about 25 lakh and 4 lakh families. These projects are prioritised in areas where water quality is affected.

The Minister said that the Water Supply and Sanitation Department is continuously making efforts to provide better basic facilities to the people of the state, especially clean drinking water and better sanitation facilities in rural areas.

Demand for Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini soars in Delhi after exposing Kejriwal’s lies

Chandigarh, February 1 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini is gaining significant popularity in Delhi following his exposure of Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal’s false claims about the quality of Yamuna water. BJP candidates have been requesting Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to campaign for them. Given his growing popularity, meetings and roadshows were organized in 9 assembly constituencies of Delhi on Saturday to further boost his presence and support.

Started campaigning by listening to the budget with workers

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini began his campaign on Saturday by watching the live broadcast of the general budget for the year 2025-26 in the Civil Lines area. Following this, he organized a nukkad sabha in support of the BJP candidate Satish Jain from Delhi’s Chandni Chowk assembly constituency. Along with party workers, he listened to the budget speech delivered by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Afterward, he addressed the gathering, explaining to the workers the key reasons why BJP is essential for the continued development of Delhi.

On Saturday, Chief Minister attended a roadshow in support of BJP candidate Poonam Sharma from the Wazirpur assembly constituency, in addition to his scheduled activities. A public meeting organized by the Gadaria community was also held at the Sindh Dharamshala in Ashok Vihar in support of Poonam Sharma. At the meeting, the Chief Minister arrived carrying a pitcher of holy Yamuna water. The Gadaria community congratulated him by presenting a sword and announced their support for the formation of the BJP government in Delhi.

Focus remained on AAP’s failures and Modi’s achievements

In his address, Sh Nayab Singh Saini strongly criticized the Aam Aadmi Party government for its failures over the past ten years. He accused former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of attempting to cover up his own failures and mismanagement by spreading false propaganda, including claims of poisoning the Yamuna water, in an effort to create tension between Haryana and Delhi. He said that the Yamuna is not just a source of water for him but a matter of faith. He further stated that he has personally consumed the water of Yamuna and has exposed the lies of the former Delhi Chief Minister.

Nayab Singh Saini said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, India’s global prestige has risen significantly. He assured the gathering that when the election results are announced on the 8th and the lotus symbol wins, all of their problems will be resolved. He further added that just as we successfully implemented Modi ji’s policies in Haryana, similar initiatives—such as policies for youth education, women empowerment, Ayushman Bharat, and other public welfare programs—will be brought to Delhi for the benefit of its people.

Chief Minister campaigned in these assembly constituencies

On Saturday, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini addressed public meetings in support of several candidates, including Satish Jain in Chandni Chowk, Poonam Sharma in Wazirpur, Shailendra from Burari, Manoj Shaukeen from Nangloi, Neelam Pehalwan from Najafgarh, Shweta Saini from Tilak Nagar, Satish Upadhyay from Malviya Nagar, Tarvinder Marwah from Jangpura, and Gajendra Daral from Mundka. He also participated in roadshows across these constituencies. Alongside him, Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana Ramchandra Jangra and other party officials took part in the events. Chief Minister Saini’s simple and direct address captured the attention of the people of Delhi. In many of these programs, large crowds gathered to hear him. While some people were taking selfies with the Chief Minister, discussions about his engaging style of communication were buzzing throughout the areas.

16th Regional Brain Bee held

The Department of Neurology, PGIMER in association with Indian Brain Bee, International Brain Bee and the Society for Neuroscience (SFN) are proud to announce that 16th Regional Brain Bee was held on 1st February 2025.Since its institution in 1999 by Prof. Norbert Myslinski of University of Maryland at Baltimore, the International Brain Bee (IBB) competition has been inspiring young kids to indulge in neurosciences. The Brain Bee Quiz in India is a live question and answer competition about neuroscience for 11th grade. It is conducted as a 3-tiered (Regional, National and International) where young men and women from all over the world compete to determine the “best brain” on topics pertaining to neurosciences such as intelligence, memory, stress, emotions, sleep, and various neurological diseases. The 16th Chandigarh Regional Brain Bee was aimed at developing the knowledge and excellence base among the students through healthy and highly motivating meet. The students crammed themselves up with a lot of knowledge on neurosciences. The Regional champions qualify for Nationals and National winners represent their respective countries at International level. Last year Regional winner from Chandigarh bagged third place in the National event.The 16th Regional Brain Bee registered 24 students from various schools from tricity. It was co-ordinated by Prof. Dheeraj Khurana, Department of Neurology, PGIMER. 12 students were selected through a written elimination round for the final oral rounds of the quiz. The event was judged by Prof. Parampreet Singh Kharbanda (Department of Neurology, PGIMER), Dr. Manjul Tripathi (Department of Neurosurgery, PGIMER), Dr Kamalesh Chakravarty (Department of Neurology, PGIMER) , Dr. Sucharita Ray (Department of Neurology, PGIMER) – eminent Neurophysicians and Neurosurgeons of the country. The Chief Guest presiding the event was Prof Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, Chandigarh and Guest of Honor – Prof Sudesh Prabhakar (Director and Chief of Neurology, Fortis Hospital Mohali and Emeritus Professor, PGIMER Chandigarh. The quiz was conducted by the quiz master Dr Tanya Banerjee (Senior Resident, Neurology, PGIMER). The students were taken through the three levels of quiz with interesting and grueling questions, testing each aspect of neuroscience. After a display of their exceptional knowledge, the students who emerged victorious were: Ms Yoshita Thakur from Carmel Convent School, Chandigarh was the Brain Bee Champion closely followed by a spirited performance by Ms Mansi Tiwari from Bhavan Vidyalaya, Panchkula the 1st runners -up and Ms Shreya Lamba from Bhavan Vidyalaya, Chandigarh was 2nd runners -up. The winner at Regional level shall participate in the National Brain Bee likely to be held on April, 2025. The National winner will represent India at International Brain Bee to be held likely in Aug-Sep this year.