Chandigarh January 4:  Under the able leadership of Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the state’s revenue has been consistently increasing. In December 2024, the Excise and Taxation Department recorded an impressive 28 percent growth in GST collections, marking the highest growth among the major states in the country.

In December 2024, Haryana collected Rs 10,403 crore, placing it as the fourth-largest state among the 28 states and 8 union territories in the country in terms of GST collection. In terms of percentage growth, Haryana ranked third. This achievement highlights the state governments and the department’s commitment and integrity in meeting their tax collection responsibilities. The increase in revenue is not only a positive indicator of the state’s development but also a reflection of its overall economic progress.

The government spokesperson stated that the Excise and Taxation Department has achieved a total net collection of Rs 46,188 crore from April to December 2024. This includes Rs 8,812 crore from VAT and CST, Rs 9,527 crore from excise duty, and Rs 27,849 crore from SGST. With a target of Rs 63,348 crore set for the financial year 2024-25, the department has already achieved 73 per cent of its target. He emphasized that this not only reflects the success of Haryana’s tax reform policy but also marks a significant step towards the state’s overall development.

The government spokesperson emphasized that revenue is a crucial source of funding for the government, enabling the development of various projects, the provision of civic amenities, and the promotion of both state and national growth. The Excise and Taxation Department consistently aims to exceed its revenue targets set in the state budget to ensure that adequate funds are available for developmental work. These efforts not only strengthen the capacity of the state government but also contribute to propelling the state toward greater economic development.

Chandigarh, January 4 – Haryana’s Development and Panchayat Minister Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar said efforts are being made to improve the implementation of schemes related to rural development in the state. Special attention is being paid to ensure quality of work being done at the ground level so that people in rural areas can get the benefits and villages can develop better.

The Development and Panchayat Minister said this while taking part in a video conference meeting chaired by Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Sh. Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Haryana Bhawan in Delhi. During this, the Union Minister reviewed the schemes running for rural development in the state. He said whatever schemes are going on, their effect should be visible at the ground level as well.

Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar discussed various schemes running in the state with the Union Minister. He said Haryana is doing excellent work in the field of rural development. In some areas, such excellent work is being done that villages are getting facilities like cities.

Sh. Panwar assured the Union Minister that Haryana will do more work in the field of rural development. Toilets, paved streets, roads, electricity, water and other basic necessities are being provided in villages. Along with this, libraries have also been established. Schemes related to rural development are regularly reviewed at the district and state level. He assured to implement these schemes more efficiently in the future.

Chandigarh, January 4 – Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, while giving suggestions in the Union Pre-Budget meeting, said to increase the production of sugarcane crop, sugarcane sowing and harvesting machines should be made available to farmers on subsidy so that sugarcane can be grown instead of paddy, adding that this will also help in saving water.

Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said this via videoconferencing in the suggestion meeting on agriculture and horticulture chaired by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shivraj Singh Chouhan with agriculture ministers of all the states.

Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said to promote horticulture, there is a need to create small clusters of 40 to 50 hectares and at the same time, a scheme should be made for fencing the orchards of horticultural farmers, adding that grants should be given so that the orchards are not damaged. He also said mandis should be made for natural farming crops and crop testing labs should be set up in them.

He said Haryana has been a pioneer in the Green Revolution and will also be a pioneer in natural farming, which is the current demand of the agriculture sector. Thanking the Union Minister for approving the National Mission on Natural Farming, he said it will prove to be a milestone in improving the quality of food items. He said at present there is a lack of specification and standardization in the natural farming sector. He requested the Union Minister to direct the central agricultural institutes to work on whether natural farming is to be certified on the basis of quality of agricultural produce or farming process or both.

He also drew the attention of the Union Minister towards the pollution caused by burning of crop residues. The state has made tremendous progress in controlling the incidents of farm fires. This year, there has been a further reduction of 40 per cent and the incidents of farm fires in Haryana were limited to less than 700. The Government of India was requested to give more funds to the state under so that the state can eliminate the incidents of farm fires.

Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said the ‘Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana’ has been implemented in horticultural crops in the state of Haryana since 2018. 21 horticultural crops have been included under this scheme. When the prices of horticultural crops in the market are less than the cost, the difference between the cost price and crop sale is compensated to the farmers by the government. This scheme is giving very good results. He said such a scheme should be implemented at the national level and the state should be provided the necessary budget for this.

Director of Agriculture Department, Sh. Rajnarayan Kaushik and Sh. Arjun Saini from the Horticulture Department along with other officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, January 4  – On the occasion of the New Year, the Haryana IAS Officers Association organized a luncheon at Haryana Niwas on Saturday. Governor, Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya and Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini attended  the event as special guests. Cabinet Ministers, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana and Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, also remained present. The Association’s President and Chief Secretary, Dr. Vivek Joshi and Secretary Dr. Amit Agrawal welcomed the Governor and the Chief Minister.

On this occasion, Governor, Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya said that special dishes made from millets were included in the lunch. Millets have been a part of our heritage for centuries. The state government is continuously working to promote the cultivation of these crops and the use of products made from millets, he said.

The Chief Minister extended heartfelt New Year wishes to the Haryana IAS Officers Association. He encouraged the officers to work with new resolutions and vision in the new year, ensuring that the benefits of government schemes reach every eligible beneficiary.

He said that dishes made from millets are not only beneficial for health but are also helping farmers become economically stronger by selling millet-based products. Millets are necessary for both health and the environment, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The President of the Haryana IAS Officers Association and Chief Secretary Dr. Vivek Joshi, while welcoming the Governor and Chief Minister said that the Association regularly organizes seminars, training programmes, and other events to enhance administrative efficiency. Today’s event is part of this ongoing initiative, said Dr. Vivek Joshi.

On this occasion, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Director General, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture Department, Sh. K Makrand Pandurang and members of the Association were present.

Chandigarh, January 4 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday held a key meeting with the startup entrepreneurs. During the meeting he emphasized that the state government is committed to establishing Haryana as a leading startup hub. The government is making dedicated efforts to position Haryana as a prominent player in the national startup ecosystem, aligning with the objectives of Make in India and Startup India, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

He said that this initiative not only aims to drive economic growth but also to create new employment opportunities for the youth, ensuring that Haryana gains a unique identity as a center of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.

The Chief Minister said that in the future, the number of startups in Haryana should be tripled. To achieve this goal, he urged the entrepreneur to take a pledge to actively support the promotion of three new startups in the future. This collaborative effort will help accelerate the growth of the startup ecosystem in the state and contribute to its overall development, he said.

The Chief Minister shared that the state government is actively considering new schemes in the upcoming budget for the financial year 2025-26 to promote startups. These initiatives aim to provide the youth with guidance and access to funds to establish their own businesses. He said that in line with Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, the government’s priority is to make Haryana a developed state. The state government is already offering various incentives through policies designed to foster industrial growth and development, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The Chief Minister said that startups have the potential to significantly contribute to the promotion of traditional industries. He said the importance of reaching out to villages and creating employment opportunities by connecting people involved in traditional work with modern entrepreneurial ventures. The PM Vishwakarma Yojana launched by the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi aims to promote traditional and ancestral industries, which will further support this initiative by providing resources and recognition to those preserving these valuable skills, he said.

He said that before the State Budget for the financial year 2025-26, the State Government is seeking suggestions from citizens, industrialists and other stakeholders through pre-budget consultation meetings, so that a budget can be prepared for the welfare of every section and inclusive development of Haryana. He also invited startup entrepreneurs to give suggestions regarding the budget and assured to include the suggestions in the budget. On the basis of the suggestions received, new schemes will be made to increase the number of startups in Haryana, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

*Special focus will be on promoting tourism in Haryana in the next 6 months – Dr. Arvind Sharma*

            Cooperation and Tourism Minister, Dr. Arvind Sharma said that special focus is being laid on promoting tourism in Haryana. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, in the next 6 months, the state Tourism will be promoted by implementing new schemes by the Tourism Department and many types of facilities will be increased to attract tourists. Tourist eco-culture will be created in the state, so that tourists from the country and abroad will get information about the tourist places in Haryana, he said.

*Stakeholders can share Online Suggestions for the Budget, Sh. Rajesh Khullar*

            During the meeting, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar, shared that the Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Finance Minister, has introduced a new initiative allowing citizens to submit budget suggestions online. Through the portal https://bamsharyana.nic.in, suggestions can be submitted. He said that the Chief Minister envisions the youth of Haryana not only seeking employment but becoming job creators, with startups playing a vital role in achieving this goal.

*Entrepreneurs express gratitude to the Chief Minister*

During the meeting, startup entrepreneurs expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister and said that this is the first time that a Chief Minister has met startup entrepreneurs and has sought information about their startups. Entrepreneurs said that many incentives are given by the government to set up industries in Haryana. Under the Startup Policy of the Haryana Government, assistance is also provided in financial management for setting up new industries. Entrepreneurs said that after the year 2014, after the Startup India campaign of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, the number of startups in Haryana has increased and with the availability of funds under Startup India, the dream of every youth to become an entrepreneur has come true, they said.

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Saket Kumar, Director General, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture Department, Sh. K Makrand Pandurang, senior officers of various departments and a large number of startup entrepreneurs of Haryana also remained present during the meeting.

Chandigarh, January 4- Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi said that the state government is fully committed to rural development and welfare of the poor.  Several important decisions are being taken by the state government in this regard. While 24 crops are being bought at MSP for farmers’ benefit, rural development is also being given priority.

The Cabinet Minister was addressing a public meeting at a felicitation ceremony organized in his native village Kaloda Kalan on Saturday. On this occasion, a newly constructed street in the village of the Cabinet Minister was inaugurated and the foundation stone of Valmiki Chaupal was laid.

Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi also announced grants for various development projects on the demand of the villagers. Apart from this, the demand of increasing the capacity of canal water put up by the villagers was also approved and it was assured that in the near future, remodeling of DLC Minor and extension of Dhamtan Sahib Minor will be increased. By increasing the capacity, the problem of canal water will be resolved in about a dozen villages. By increasing the capacity of canal water, farmers of about a dozen villages, including Kaloda Kalan, Kaloda Khurd, Phulian Kalan, Phulian Khurd, Kharadwal, Naiharen, Amargarh, Sulehra, Julehra, Rajgarh Dhobi, Bhikhewala and Lohchab will benefit from it.

Accepting almost all the demands of villagers, Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi said that Rs 11 lakh each has been sanctioned for the building of the village secretariat and the community building of the Chamar caste and Rs 10 lakh each has been sanctioned for the Chaupal of the Backward Caste, Brahmin Chaupal, Kashyap Chaupal, Chaupal of the Lohar caste, and Valmiki Chaupal. Apart from this, instructions were given to the concerned officials to make an estimate of community centre building, animal hospital building, digital library, boundary wall of government high school, co-operative bank building, gymnasium, booster tank, street lights and cameras in the village, prayer shed in the school, boundary wall of the graveyard and all the unpaved roads of some villages apart from beautification of both the ponds of the village and an Ayurvedic dispensary.

BJP district head Tejendra Dhool, former MLA Pirthi Singh and others were present on the occasion.

Chandigarh, January 4 – Haryana Forest, Environment and Industry Minister Sh. Rao Narbir Singh has said that every living being on this earth has its own importance. Therefore, all citizens should cooperate in environmental conservation and protection of wildlife so that we can leave a clean and safe environment for our future generation.

Sh. Rao Narbir Singh said this while inaugurating Bird Census-2025 of Asia on behalf of Haryana State Biodiversity Board and Westland International Organization at the Bird Sanctuary in Sultanpur today. He also released a booklet titled Westland Birds Haryana on this occasion. State Biodiversity Board Chairman Dr. Ranbir Singh Johar, Board Secretary and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Vivek Saxena and Chief Conservator of Forests Sh. Anant Pandey were also present in the programme. Addressing the members of bird clubs, environment and wildlife lovers along with villagers who had come from far off places, Sh. Rao Narbir Singh said that if man lives on earth according to his will, then it is natural for natural imbalance to occur. If the species of animals, birds and insects get extinct from the earth, then the human race will also get destroyed along with them. We should understand the importance of trees, plants, birds and even the smallest creatures around us and let them live safely.

He said that Gurugram is the main city of NCR region and all the residents of the district should cooperate in creating a pollution-free environment here. The implementation of GRAP-3 even in the winter season is a matter of concern for us.

 Biodiversity Board

Chairman Dr. Ranbir Singh Johar honoured Sh. Rao Narbir Singh by presenting him a memento. During the programme, people of Bishnoi community from Sirsa honoured Sh. Rao Narbir Singh with a turban. On this occasion, biodiversity expert Dr. T.K. Rai elaborated on the current status of wildlife.

The Forest and Environment Minister visited Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary and gathered information about migratory birds. On this occasion, Forest Conservator Sh. Subhash Chandra, DFO Ramkumar Jangra, Sh. Anil Gandas, Sh. Indrajit Singh, who are contributing to environmental conservation, and other eminent citizens, were also present.

Chandigarh, January 3

The Haryana Right to Service (RTS) Commission has directed the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), Hisar to grant a compensation of Rs 1,000 to a consumer for causing undue harassment to him.

While giving this information here today, a spokesperson of the Commission said Sh. Sanjiv Kumar, a resident of Charkhi Dadri district, had approached the Commission regarding the wrong billing of his electricity meter after it was suddenly found defective.

The First Grievance Redressal Authority told the Commission that the meter was replaced on April 27, 2023 by Sh. Rajender, the then AFM. However, the meter replacement was entered into the system only on April 10, 2024, for which disciplinary action has been initiated against the concerned official.

The Commission said it was evident that the consumer’s grievance has been fully redressed now. However, due to systemic constraints, the starting reading for the period commencing April 10, 2O24 was recorded as zero. This discrepancy was corrected manually while calculating the adjustment of Rs. 885, which was reflected in the bill dated October 5, 2024. Therefore, no issues remain pending in this revision. But nonetheless, it is undeniable that a delay of approximately one year occurred in updating the Meter Change Order (MCO). This delay caused undue harassment to the consumer.

The Commission, in exercise of its powers vested under Section 17 (1)(h) of the Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014, awarded a token compensation of Rs 1,000 to the consumer to be paid by DHBVN out of its funds and to be recovered from defaulting official Sh. Rajender, the then AFM, in accordance with law. However, DHBVN is free to conduct an inquiry and recover this amount from him or any other person responsible for the lapse, the Commission stated. The XEN, Charkhi Dadri has been directed to intimate the compliance of the order to the Commission by January 25, 2025.