Chandigarh, November 18 – On the auspicious occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of ‘Hind ki Chadar’ Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the fourth holy Nagar Kirtan Yatra was commenced on Tuesday from Sadhaura in Yamunanagar district. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini offered Ardaas before Sri Guru Granth Sahib at Gurdwara Diodi Sahib and urged people to spread the message of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s unparalleled penance and supreme sacrifice. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs 31 lakh from his discretionary quota to Gurdwara Diodi Sahib.

The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government, in collaboration with the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, is commemorating the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on a grand scale. The aim is to disseminate the Guru’s profound message of sacrifice, courage and devotion to the masses. He added that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji made the supreme sacrifice for the protection of humanity, religion and the nation, an inspiring legacy that must be shared with future generations.

Describing Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as the world’s first great champion of human rights, the Chief Minister said that this fourth Nagar Kirtan Yatra, beginning from the sacred land of Sadhaura, will carry forward the Guru’s message of penance, sacrifice, commitment to faith, and protection of religion to the masses.

He further informed that four sacred Nagar Kirtan Yatras have been organised across Haryana to mark the 350th martyrdom year, covering all districts of the state. These Yatras will culminate in Kurukshetra on November 24. On the following day, November 25, a mahasamagam will take place in Kurukshetra on the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, with Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi attending as the chief guest. The Chief Minister appealed to devotees to visit the holy land of Kurukshetra with their families and become part of this historic and spiritually significant event.

PM Narendra Modi fulfills historic Kartarpur Corridor resolution

The Chief Minister said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, the Kartarpur Corridor has been constructed, enabling devotees to visit the sacred Gurudwara and offer their prayers. He added that the Haryana Government is continuously working to promote the traditions, teachings, and sacrifices of the Gurus and other great personalities. In this context, the State Government celebrated the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji with great reverence, and is now commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on a grand scale.

Referring to various initiatives undertaken by the State Government, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini informed that it has been decided to establish a Chair in the name of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, to enable future generations to research the Guru’s life, philosophy, and supreme sacrifice. He highlighted other notable initiatives, including naming the Panchkula–Paonta Sahib road after Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Kurukshetra–Lohgarh Sahib road after Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. In addition, 70 kanals of land have been allocated free of cost to Gurudwara Sri Chilla Sahib in Sirsa, and the foundation stone of the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial has been laid in Lohgarh. The Chief Minister said that the government is committed to spreading the message of the Gurus’ sacrifices and their unparalleled contributions to humanity, so that future generations can draw inspiration and guidance from these sacred legacies.

Describing the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as an occasion for transformation, Chief Minister said that the fourth Nagar Kirtan Yatra, which began today, will traverse various districts of the state, spreading the inspiration of Guru Ji’s supreme sacrifice to every town and village. He added that this Yatra will provide a new direction and motivation for future generations.

On this occasion, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Sh Shyam Singh Rana also addressed the devotees, urging everyone to contribute to society and the nation by following the path shown by the Gurus, in honour of the great sacrifices they made for the protection of religion and humanity.

On this occasion, President of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, OSD Dr Prabhleen Singh, District President Rajesh Sapra, former Minister Krishan Pal, former MLA Balwant Singh and Bishan Lal Saini, Banto Kataria, Suman Bahmani, Shalini Sharma, Ramesh Kumar Thaska, Inderjit Singh Dhillon, Kulwinder Singh, Iqbal Singh Bhatia, Sardar Gulab Singh, Bibi Kartar Kaur and other dignitaries were also present.

Chandigarh, November 18 — Showcasing significant progress in its fight against air pollution, Haryana today highlighted major achievements and new initiatives during a virtual review meeting held by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests & Wildlife, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal apprised the Ministry of Haryana’s strengthened measures across NCR-linked districts at the meeting chaired by Sh. Tanmay Kumar, Secretary, MoEF&CC.

During the meeting, the MoEF&CC reviewed the current air quality scenario and sought detailed updates from state governments on the implementation of pollution-control actions mandated for the winter months. Briefing the Ministry, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal informed that Haryana has undertaken a series of short-term and long-term measures across major sectors—including transport, agriculture, municipal management, and power generation—to curb pollution in NCR-linked districts.

He stated that due to consistent and coordinated efforts, incidents of stubble burning in Haryana have reduced by nearly half compared to last year. Measures to reduce vehicular emissions have also shown results, with diesel autos taken off the roads, deployment of mechanical road-sweeping machines in Gurugram and Faridabad, and actions to control road dust across urban areas.

Sh. Rajpal further highlighted that brick kilns in districts beyond NCR have transitioned to using paddy-straw-based pellets and briquettes, supporting both clean fuel usage and stubble-management efforts. He added that GMDA and FMDA have implemented IT-based technological systems to monitor farm fires, ensuring real-time detection and prompt action, while electric buses are also being deployed to further reduce emissions in major urban centres.

He also informed the Ministry that Haryana is implementing a World Bank-supported Clean Air Programme. The project will support the strengthening of air quality management systems in the state, while synergising efforts being undertaken by the Government of India. It will focus on designing and implementing sector-specific air pollution abatement measures and facilitating coordination among Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) states to reduce cross-border emissions.

The Additional Chief Secretary reaffirmed Haryana’s commitment to continued inter-departmental coordination and strict enforcement of all pollution-control directives.

Additional Chief Secretary, Transport, Sh. Raja Sekhar Vundru, Chairman, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Sh. Vineet Garg, Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal, Commissioner & Secretary, Urban Local Bodies, Sh. Vikas Gupta, Managing Director, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited, Dr. Saket Kumar, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, November 18- Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar said that today, the entire nation looks towards athletes from Haryana with great hope in the Olympics and international competitions. More than 50 percent of the country’s medals are won by Haryana players. He said that athletes from Haryana are not only bringing pride to the state but also shaping a bright future for India.

Sh. Panwar was speaking as the Chief Guest after inaugurating the 50th Annual Athletic Meet at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, on Tuesday.

He said that the Khelo India initiative launched by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has given a new direction to the country’s sporting culture. He said that under Haryana’s progressive sports policy, Olympic gold medalists are awarded Rs. 6 crore, silver medalists Rs. 4 crore, and bronze medalists Rs. 2.30 crore. Besides this, players receive Rs. 5 lakh for training and 3 percent reservation in government jobs, he added.

He further said that just like the Pro-Kabaddi League for boys, steps are being taken to launch a similar league for girls. Appreciating MDU’s achievements in sports, he announced a grant of Rs.11 lakh for sports development at the university. He said that children must set clear goals and move forward with full passion to achieve success in life. The Minister also appreciated the efforts of MDU Athletic Coach, Dr. Ramesh Sindhu and felicitated him.

MDU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rajbir Singh said that MDU holds a national reputation in the field of sports, and the university is committed to further developing international-standard sports facilities. He expressed gratitude for the continuous support and guidance provided by the state government.

Chandigarh, November 18 -While the International Gita Mahotsav has already established its identity on the global stage, artisans from different states are showcasing their extraordinary craftsmanship at the Mahotsav. The handicraft work displayed by these artisans at the International Gita Mahotsav seems to narrate a tale of life through its intricate details. This remarkable hand-crafted artistry is drawing tourists in large numbers, who are enthusiastically purchasing these items.

Artisans shared that they participate in the International Gita Mahotsav every year. This time too, they have brought with them beautiful and captivating terracotta flower pots, statues, and other decorative items for home decor. They explained that all these items are made from terracotta clay, which is imported from Nuh. They further explained that after shaping these terracotta pieces on the wheel, they are baked, followed by the finishing process. Once that is done, the items are decorated with vibrant colours to give them their stunning appearance. Tourists are purchasing these items in large quantities.

At the International Gita Mahotsav, this crafts fair will continue until December 5, 2025. The sacred banks of Brahma Sarovar have come alive with the artisans’ handicraft work, and the colourful handmade art has completely transformed the ambience of the Mahotsav. While artists from various states are joyfully presenting the culture of their regions and capturing the hearts of visitors, these extraordinary handcrafted items are adding a special charm and vibrancy to the Mahotsav.

Chandigarh, November 18 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that whenever the names of those who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the nation and religion are mentioned, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s name is taken foremost. To inspire future generations from his life and deeds, the 350th martyrdom year is being observed across the state.

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini was inaugurating the Forest, Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Block named after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Kalesar in Yamunanagar on the occasion of his Martyrdom Day. The Chief Minister planted 350 saplings with students in the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Forest and Wildlife Conservation Block. He also inaugurated the safari trail in the national park and unveiled the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Gate.

The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for an AI-based monitoring tower, a tree canopy walk, and three-level watchtowers. He further announced that the Agriculture College to be built on 45 acres in Pratappur and Kishanpura of Yamunanagar would be named after Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He also announced checking the feasibility of the Kapalmochan–Yamunanagar bypass road and its construction.

The Chief Minister said we are witnessing a historic moment where this block will become a symbol of the confluence of nature, spirituality, and human values. He bowed in reverence to Hind Ki Chadar, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He said this forest will become a milestone in the state’s forest conservation and biodiversity enhancement efforts, and it will carry forward the legacy of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s love for the environment.

The Chief Minister said that Hind Ki Chadar, the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, is an embodiment of sacrifice, compassion, and courage. He taught the world that true strength lies in protecting others. True religion is that which shows equal love towards nature, life, and humanity. Nature is an inseparable part of his personality. Therefore, establishing this Forest, Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Block in Kalesar in his name is a living representation of his teachings.

The Chief Minister said that in Indian culture, forests have been centers of education, meditation, and public welfare. The ashram tradition and the Guru tradition have always been based on nature. Many trees are associated with Sikh history and connected to the life of Guru Ji. Among them, the Dukh Bhanjani Beri tree is a symbol of peace and refuge during times of distress. Inspired by the teachings of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, we must prioritize cleanliness, plantation, and wildlife conservation to face today’s challenges. For this, several schemes are being run to increase forest cover in the state.

The Chief Minister said that the goal is to make every corner of Haryana green. We are not just planting trees, we are planting life—natural filters that purify the air. We are strengthening the roots that hold our earth together and prevent it from turning barren.

He said that under the unique campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” launched by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi on World Environment Day on June 5, 2024, a total of 1.87 crore saplings were planted. Under the second phase this year, another 2.10 crore saplings have been planted. Since 2014, a total of 18 crore trees have been planted.

The Chief Minister said that special schemes have also been launched to promote urban forestry so that greenery increases in cities too. The government has taken strict steps to prevent illegal tree felling and to protect wildlife. The Green Aravalli Action Plan has also been launched in South Haryana. This project, prepared by the Central and State Governments, is being implemented across the four states of the Aravalli Hills, including five districts of Haryana.

He said that modern technology is also being used for the protection of saplings planted by the Forest Department. Strict monitoring is done for five years on the growth of previously planted and newly planted saplings. Besides this, herbal parks have been developed in various districts for the conservation and promotion of medicinal plants. An international-level medicinal forest has been set up in the Morni area, and Oxy-vans have been created in Karnal, Panchkula, and Sonipat districts.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that children must be connected with nature from childhood so they can easily understand the importance of trees as they grow. Every school should adopt nature education, and every family must plant at least one sapling. He said every youth should adopt and protect a tree like a guardian, and every institution should turn this forest campaign into a public movement—only then can the state be made greener.

On this occasion, Agriculture Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, MLA Sh. Ghanshyam Das Arora, BJP State Vice President Banto Kataria, former minister Sh. Kanwar Pal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vineet Garg, Chief Wildlife Warden Dr. Vivek Saxena, Chairman Haryana State Biodiversity Board Randeep Singh Johar, OSD to CM Prabhleen Singh, along with many distinguished citizens were present.

Chandigarh, November 18 –Haryana has been recognized as the ‘Third Best State’ in the prestigious 6th National Water Awards 2024 announced by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. This prestigious honour highlights the state’s exemplary achievements in integrated and sustainable water management.

Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry, received the award from the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, while representing the state at the award ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Sh. C.R. Patil, and Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Sh. V. Somanna, were also present on the occasion.

*Achievement Inspired by a Strong and Visionary Integrated Water Resource Management Approach*

Smt. Shruti Choudhry said that Haryana’s accomplishment is driven by its strong and visionary integrated water resource management approach, which aligns scientific planning, community participation, and technological advancement for long-term water security. An integrated water conservation plan has been developed in the state.

*Everyone must be aware of water conservation for better results*

Smt. Choudhry said that water conservation is everyone’s responsibility and must be taken forward as a mass movement. When every individual becomes aware, even better results will be seen in water conservation. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure that water reaches the last tail-end efficiently, she added.

*Under the CM’s Leadership, the State’s Collective Efforts Toward Sustainable and Inclusive Water Management Have Strengthened Further*

She said that the Irrigation and Water Resources Department deeply appreciates the continuous guidance of the Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs, Sh. Manohar Lal, and Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. Their leadership has further strengthened the state’s collective efforts toward sustainable and inclusive water resource management. She also emphasised that groundwater recharge is important for the entire world, and greater effort is required in this direction.

The Irrigation and Water Resources Department of the state expresses gratitude to the Ministry of Jal Shakti for this prestigious honour and conveys heartfelt thanks to Union Jal Shakti Minister, Sh. C.R. Patil, for acknowledging Haryana’s strong commitment to water sustainability. The nomination for the 6th National Water Awards 2024 was submitted by the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Haryana, in February 2025, and the Ministry’s ground-truthing team conducted a detailed evaluation.

Additional Chief Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Sh. Anurag Agarwal, and Chief Engineer, Dr. Satbir Singh Kadian were also present at the ceremony.

Chandigarh, November 18 – Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Department,  Sh. Sudhir Rajpal has directed district administrations and health officers across the state to work in close coordination and make concerted efforts to raise the sex ratio to 920  this year. Taking strict action, he ordered the suspension of two health officers for negligence in achieving the expected improvement in their districts.

During a video conference with Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the six low-performing districts namely Sirsa, Sonipat, Yamunanagar, Charkhi Dadri, Nuh and Jhajjar, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal directed them to take proactive steps to improve the sex ratio in collaboration with the civil surgeons.

He also directed the Deputy Commissioners of these districts to carry out reverse tracking of illegal abortion cases and intensify monitoring.

Sh. Sudhir Rajpal further directed officers to ensure mandatory registration of all newborns, especially in urban slum clusters in coordination with municipal bodies. He encouraged district teams to enhance the state’s overall performance on sex-ratio indicators.

Before this, the Additional Chief Secretary chaired a meeting of the State Task Force on improving the sex ratio, where several important decisions were taken to strengthen surveillance, curb gender-determination practices, and crack down on illegal abortions.

Taking a serious view of falling numbers, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal ordered the suspension of the Medical Officer of PHC Jattanwali in Sirsa and the SMO of Halalpur in Sonipat for negligence resulting in a decline in sex-ratio figures.

In the meeting it was decided that the CDRs of individuals involved in illegal MTPs and sex-determination activities will now be submitted in courts as evidence to ensure stringent legal action.

Sh. Sudhir Rajpal also directed the development of an MIS portal for tracking all PNDT-related court cases. He said the Home Secretary of Haryana will be requested through a letter to allow PNDT cases to be taken up in POCSO courts for faster disposal. Considering the low conviction rate in PNDT cases, the department has also decided to explore the possibility of appointing or attaching a set of specialised lawyers at the state headquarters to pursue cases more effectively.

The Additional Chief Secretary directed all Civil Surgeons to prepare a line-list of every clinic, nursing home and hospital run by BAMS/GAMS/BHMS practitioners in their districts, clearly identifying how many have registered gynaecologists and how many are authorised MTP centres.

He further directed the officers to prepare a proposal that a gynecologist will not be allowed to perform abortions at more than two centers, taking into account all legal aspects, so that it can be presented to the government for approval.

Director General Health Services, Dr. Manish Bansal,  Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Dr. Virender Yadav,  Dr. Simmi Verma, Dr. Mukta Kumar along with other senior officers also attended the meeting.

Chandigarh, November 18

The Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, on Tuesday announced that the Finance Department has approved the proposal regarding the Phase-Wise Recruitment of 345 Veterinary Inspectors in the Animal Husbandry Department. 

Revealing this in a press communique issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Animal Husbandry Department currently has a total of 2010 approved posts for Veterinary Inspectors, and out of the approved posts, 345 positions are currently vacant, with 1665 being filled. He said that the Finance Department has approved the filling of these 345 vacant posts in a phased manner, with 150 posts to be filled in the first phase during the current fiscal year 2025-26, and the remaining 195 posts will be filled in second phase during the next fiscal year 2026-27.

Chandigarh, November 18:

The newly constructed Court Room of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission was formally inaugurated today by Commission Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi and Principal Secretary, Department of Social Justice, Empowerment & Minorities, Shri V.K. Meena, IAS. This marks a significant step towards strengthening the justice delivery mechanism and safeguarding the rights of the Scheduled Caste community.

A key highlight of the initiative is that this newly built Court Room is the first of its kind in the entire country under any State Scheduled Castes Commission. This historic milestone enhances access to justice and sets a progressive precedent for other states to follow.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman S. Jasvir Singh Garhi said that the new Court Room will play a crucial role in ensuring faster hearings, timely disposal of cases, and overall efficiency in the functioning of the Commission. He added that this initiative is vital for protecting the rights and dignity of the Scheduled Caste community and upholding the principles of equality.

He further informed that the Court Room has been equipped with modern amenities and a well-organized seating arrangement to ensure that all hearings are conducted professionally, transparently, and without delay.

Chairman Garhi emphasized that with the launch of this Court Room, the Commission will function with greater responsibility, sensitivity, and efficiency. He assured that every complaint received by the Commission will be addressed on priority and justice will be delivered in a timely manner.

He also announced that the Commission will soon introduce an Online Court System, enabling complainants to participate virtually—saving time, travel, and expenses for the public.

Present on the occasion were Smt. Gauri Parashar Joshi, IAS, Secretary, General Administration Department; Dr. Nayan Jassal, Member Secretary; Commission Members Shri Gulzar Singh, Shri Gurpreet Singh and Shri Rupinder Singh; along with the entire staff of the Scheduled Castes Commission.

Chandigarh 18 November 2025:

At the Regional Council Meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Northern Region held in Amritsar, the Government of Punjab presented its forward-looking industrial reform agenda, sector-specific policy initiatives, and major infrastructure plans aimed at accelerating the state’s investment momentum.

Welcoming the Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora, Mrs Anjali Singh, Chairperson, CII Northern Region, said Punjab is fast emerging as a preferred destination for high-quality investments. She highlighted SUJAN’s ₹150 crore investment in Punjab’s hospitality sector, beginning with Amritsar, as a strong endorsement of the state’s improving investment climate.

“This major commitment strengthens Punjab’s premium tourism landscape and signals growing confidence in the state’s economic resurgence. With the government’s progressive policy interventions and ease of doing business reforms, we expect a substantial rise in tourism-led investments,” she noted.

Mrs Singh recommended that the government actively market available land banks, develop cold chain infrastructure to support agriculture and perishables, identify heritage locations for tourism promotion, and explore appointing a state brand ambassador to promote Punjab nationally and globally.

Addressing the Council, Shri Sanjeev Arora, Minister for Industry & Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power & NRI Affairs, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a robust, responsive and forward-looking industrial environment.

“Punjab is moving ahead with a clear, reform-oriented roadmap. We had constituted 24 sectoral committees, and a Master Industrial Policy—with dedicated policies for every major sector—will be released shortly to provide long-term clarity for investors,” he said.

The Minister informed that Punjab is undertaking long-term power planning and is preparing a detailed report on energy requirements up to 2035, covering the projected mix of thermal and renewable power sources.

To strengthen industrial infrastructure, he announced that land has been identified for two new exhibition centres in Mohali and Ludhiana, with tendering already underway. A third centre is being planned for Amritsar, where land identification is in progress.

Highlighting ongoing ease of doing business reforms, the Minister said that under the Right to Business Act, all green-category and several orange-category industries will receive clearances within five days.

On logistics and connectivity, the Minister shared that Punjab currently has 10 ICDs, two freight container stations, two international airports, and the operational Adampur airport. The upcoming Halwara airport will further strengthen the state’s logistics network and boost industrial accessibility.

The meeting concluded on a strong note of partnership, with industry leaders and the government expressing shared optimism about Punjab’s growth trajectory, the state’s expanding investment appeal, and the promising potential of tourism-driven development—underscored by SUJAN’s landmark investment commitment.