Chandigarh, February 14

Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh.Shyam Singh Rana said that the BJP government in the state, under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, is working for the welfare of every section of society by following the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. He said the government is focusing on education, healthcare, security, dignity, and self-reliance while strengthening good governance through this vision.

He said that development works worth crores of rupees have already been completed in villages of the constituency, including farm roads, drains, streets, roads, dharamshalas, Ambedkar Bhawans and community marriage halls. The remaining development works will also be completed soon so that people of the constituency can fully benefit from them.

The Agriculture Minister was speaking after laying the foundation stones of development projects worth crores of rupees in various villages of the Radaur Assembly constituency in Yamunanagar district.

Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister, he said that the BJP government is committed to making Haryana a leading state in the country and development works are being carried out uniformly across the state without any discrimination. The government is giving special attention to the construction of bridges, building new roads, and repair of existing roads in all assembly constituencies.

He also directed the concerned administrative officers to speed up all development works and ensure their early completion so that villagers can benefit from them.

Chandigarh, February 14 — The 39th Surajkund International Aatmanirbhar Mela, which began on January 31 in Faridabad, will conclude on Sunday, February 15, with a grand and dignified closing ceremony. On this occasion, Haryana Governor, Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh, will attend the event as the Chief Guest and grace the ceremony of the world-famous Surajkund International Crafts Mela.

Haryana Tourism Corporation and the Mela Administration have completed all necessary preparations for the closing ceremony. Extensive arrangements have been ensured at Surajkund for security, traffic management, guest hospitality, stage management, and the smooth conduct of cultural performances.

The closing ceremony scheduled at 3:00 PM on February 15, artisans from India and abroad, handicraft experts, and artists who delivered outstanding cultural performances will be honoured. The awards will be presented in recognition of their significant contribution to preserving traditional crafts and folk arts and strengthening the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Chandigarh, February 14 —  Haryana Social Justice, Empowerment, SCs and BCs Welfare and Antyodaya Minister (SEWA), Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi, said that Haryana is the first state in the country to provide the highest number of social benefits and pensions. In the state, 18 categories are receiving the benefit of social allowances and pensions. At present, 36 lakh eligible beneficiaries are being given a monthly pension of Rs. 3200. The increased amount has been effective since November 1 last year and was transferred to all eligible beneficiaries through DBT on February 10. He said that 21 lakh elderly people are receiving old age pension and 7,00,000 lakh women are receiving widow pension. Apart from this, persons with disabilities (PwD), destitute individuals, displaced people from Kashmir, and those suffering from 21 life-threatening diseases including cancer are also receiving the benefits of social security schemes.

Sh. Bedi said this while listening to public grievances on Saturday at Narwana.

He said that all social allowances and pensions will now be deposited directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts on the 10th of every month. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the state government has taken this commendable decision so that pensioners receive benefits on a fixed date. Providing pensions, allowances, and other social security benefits through DBT will ensure transparency.

He further said that previous governments had set an income limit of Rs. 10,000 for old age pension, which remained in place from 1991 to 2008. Later, the limit was increased to Rs. 50,000 per year, and during the BJP government in the 2022–23 session, it was raised to Rs. 3 lakh annually. Haryana has received recognition across the country for this step.

The Minister said that the government is also continuously taking strong steps for the welfare of farmers. These include purchasing crops at MSP, providing the highest compensation in the country during natural disasters, ensuring 24-hour electricity supply, implementing the ‘Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana’, and providing benefits to milk producers. He added that the present Central and State Governments are working with the vision of equal welfare for all sections of society and all-round development in every sector.

Chandigarh, February 14 – Highlighting Haryana’s strong economic fundamentals and business-friendly policies, Haryana’s Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal emphasized that the state is positioned to play a critical role in translating the Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ into real outcomes on the ground.

Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal was speaking at the Global Business Summit organized in New Delhi on Saturday. Welcoming industry leaders and stakeholders, Dr. Agrawal said under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana is moving forward with a clear roadmap to strengthen its position as one of India’s most attractive destinations for investment and enterprise. He said Haryana’s economic strength is reflected in four key fundamentals—scale, productivity, performance, and prosperity.

With a Gross State Domestic Product of approximately USD 79 billion in real terms, Haryana has consistently grown above the national average. Despite accounting for only 1.3 percent of India’s geographical area and 2.1 percent of its population, the state contributes around 7.1 percent of the country’s total GST collections. This, he said, is a strong testament to Haryana’s economic base and its significant value-addition potential.

Over the past decade, Haryana’s real growth in per capita income has consistently exceeded the national average. The state’s per capita income is more than 70 percent higher than the national average, underscoring strong consumption capacity and purchasing power.

Dr. Agrawal further emphasized that Haryana’s strategic location is one of its greatest structural advantages. Situated at the heart of India’s largest consumption zone—the National Capital Region—Haryana offers unparalleled connectivity and market access. All districts in the state are connected by national highways or four-lane expressways, and none is more than three to four hours away from Gurugram or Delhi.

Additionally, the entire state lies within a 300-kilometre radius of three major international airports—New Delhi International Airport, Jewar International Airport, and Chandigarh International Airport—ensuring rapid access to global markets. Haryana has developed strong sectoral ecosystems, including automotive and electric vehicle clusters in the NCR belt; medical devices in Ambala; textiles in Panipat; leather and footwear in Bahadurgarh; food parks across various districts; and a next-generation electronics cluster at IMT Sohna to support emerging industries.

He reaffirmed that the state government remains committed to improving ease of doing business through simple rules, better infrastructure and investor-focused governance.

Chandigarh, February 14 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the state government is working with a clear focus on strengthening investor confidence and ensuring transparency in policies. He said Haryana is among the best states for industrial investment, offering a highly conducive and business-friendly environment. The Chief Minister was interacting with investors in New Delhi on Saturday.

During the meetings, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini met representatives of several international companies to discuss investment opportunities in Haryana and understand their future plans. He said the state government is formulating policies that further strengthen investor trust. Transparency in governance remains a key priority, and efforts are being made to ensure that government approvals are granted in minimum time and at a faster pace.

Agreement Between European Union MSMEs and Haryana MSMEs

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the agreement between India and the European Union will benefit industries in Haryana. He announced the formation of a Haryana–European Working Group. The primary objective of this group will be to facilitate matchmaking between MSMEs of the European Union and MSMEs of Haryana so that the requirements of European industries can be fulfilled by enterprises in Haryana. This will provide significant benefits to the state’s industries. He added that parts and components required by foreign companies will be identified and linked with manufacturing companies in Haryana.

Continuous Availability of Land for Industries

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that HSIIDC is continuously making land available for setting up industries in the state. Separate industrial zones are being developed, and the state government is establishing 10 new Industrial Model Townships (IMTs). He also met representatives of companies that are currently exploring land options for setting up industries in Haryana.

Haryana to Soon Introduce Policy for Global Capability Centres

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that companies across the world are expanding operations in different countries, leading to a rapid rise in Global Capability Centres (GCCs). The state government will soon introduce a new policy for Global Capability Centres. This policy will make it easier for companies that wish to establish GCCs in Haryana.

On this occasion, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal; Director General Sh. Yash Garg; CCI, HSIIDC, Sh. Sunil Sharma; and other senior officers were present.

Chandigarh:

In a decisive move to ensure transparency and uniform enforcement at all paid parking sites, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has clarified that no electric vehicle (EV) shall be exempted from payment of parking charges at any paid parking site under its jurisdiction.

The directions were issued by Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS, Commissioner, MC Chandigarh, to all officials concerned with the management and supervision of paid parking sites. The Commissioner categorically stated that there is no provision for free parking, including for a duration of 15 minutes, and all vehicles entering paid parking areas must pay the prescribed charges without exception.

During a surprise inspection at the paid parking site in Sector 7 today, the Commissioner personally reviewed on-ground operations and functioning of the staff deployed. It was observed that two vehicles were allowed to exit the parking premises without issuance of any parking slip or valid pass. Taking serious note of the lapse, he immediately directed the concerned Executive Engineer to change the deployment areas of the employees involved with immediate effect.

Further reinforcing the zero-tolerance approach, the Commissioner directed that no vehicle, including those engaged in delivery services such as Swiggy, Zomato, or any other platform, shall be allowed entry or exit without payment of prescribed parking charges.

The Executive Engineers of Road Division No. 1, 2 and 3 have been instructed to ensure that all parking attendants under their respective jurisdictions strictly comply with these directions. Any deviation will invite strict administrative action.

CHANDIGARH, February 14:

Punjab Education and Information & Public Relations Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Friday announced a comprehensive flood protection plan worth ₹52 crore for villages situated along the banks of the Sutlej and Swan rivers in Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency, stating that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has fast-tracked permanent solutions for areas historically affected during the monsoon season.

Sharing details of the ambitious plan, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “In a major relief for residents living along the banks of the Sutlej and Swan rivers in Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency, the Punjab Government has announced a comprehensive flood protection plan worth ₹52 crore to permanently secure several vulnerable villages that have historically faced the brunt of floods during monsoon season.”

The Punjab Minister further stated, “The Bhagwant Mann government has expedited major flood protection infrastructure projects in the region. Works worth ₹52 crore have already been tendered and commenced, with physical construction set to gather pace within a fortnight. Additionally, the projects estimated at ₹30 crore are in the pipeline.”

Emphasising the urgency of the initiative, he said, “The safety of our people is non-negotiable. Last year’s floods taught us a hard lesson. We are building robust, long-term protections.”

Detailing the village-wise projects, Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated, “Dasgrain and Mahain villages will get a ₹1 crore revetment. Harsa Bela village, which saw successful ₹4.5 crore flood protection work last year, will receive ₹9 crore for construction of a 2,200-foot-long revetment with upgraded design specifications.”

He added, “Mehndli Kalan village will get a new 1,800-foot-long revetment costing over ₹8.75 crore at the site where I personally served during last year’s rescue operations. Agampur village will see a massive 3,200-foot-long revetment worth ₹12 crore to safeguard the village and the bridge approaches.”

Continuing with further details, he said, “A 700-foot-long revetment will be constructed with ₹7 crore at Burj village. Similarly, a 700-foot-long revetment with ₹3.5 crore will be constructed at Ajauli village, while Lodhipur village will be protected with a 2,000-foot-long revetment worth ₹9 crore.”

He also informed, “In addition to these major sites, flood protection works are also underway or approved for Bhalan, Triveni Mandir, Nangran and other villages.”

Highlighting the scale of the initiative, Minister Harjot Singh Bains noted, “The projects entail construction of revetments spanning over 11,000-foot. We have already completed significant groundwork and are committed to expanding this further based on local demands.”

Reassuring residents ahead of the monsoon season, Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated, “I am personally monitoring the progress of these projects and I am determined to ensure foolproof flood protection works before the commencement of this monsoon.”

CHANDIGARH, February 14:

          As the decisive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann enters its 25th day, Punjab Police on Saturday conducted 702 raids at the at identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters across the state.

          As per the information, the “Gangstran Te Vaar”— a decisive war to make Punjab a gangster-free state was launched by the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026. Police teams from all the districts in coordination with Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has been conducting special operations across the state.

          On Day 25, Police teams arrested 232 individuals and recovered three weapons from their possession, taking the total arrests to 9244 since the launch of the campaign.

 Apart from this, preventive action has been taken against 89 persons, whereas, 165 persons were verified and released after questioning. Police teams have also arrested seven proclaimed offenders (POs) during the operation.

          People can anonymously report information related to wanted criminals and gangsters, and also share tips on crime and criminal activity, through the Anti Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946.

          Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its drive against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” for 350th day with 96 drug smugglers arrested on Saturday and recovered 3.1 kg heroin, 7 kg poppy husk, 640 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 58,050 drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 49,602 in just 350 days. As part of De-addiction, the Punjab Police has convinced 41 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Chandigarh:

AAP National Media In-Charge Anurag Dhanda launched a sharp attack on the BJP government in Haryana and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, stating that the notification of a “complete ban” on Chinese manjha is merely a paper announcement. He said that in February 2026, the government beat the drum of a ban through the Environment, Forest and Wildlife Department, but the ground reality is that this “string of death” is still being sold openly and continues to claim innocent lives on Haryana’s roads. In the last few months, more than 20 people have been injured and several deaths have occurred, and these are only the cases that have been officially recorded.

Anurag Dhanda said that the National Green Tribunal had imposed a nationwide ban on Chinese manjha in 2017, but the Haryana government has completely failed to implement it. The product is being sold freely in markets, the supply chain remains active, and the business continues under the nose of the police. Yet the government has neither conducted strict raids nor taken action against senior officials for failing to act, nor fixed accountability.

Taking a swipe at the government, he said that Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s government is active only in issuing press releases, not in taking action on the ground. Families of those who lost their lives in these accidents have not received any concrete compensation so far. The government has not taken responsibility for the treatment of the injured. No major supplier or network has been booked under serious charges such as culpable homicide. The question is—who is being protected?

Anurag Dhanda said strict action under culpable homicide provisions should be taken in such incidents. Does the BJP government place no value on the lives of Haryana’s people? How many more deaths is the government waiting for?

He stated that the negligence of the BJP government has now been fully exposed before the public. This is not just cutting lives; it is exposing the government’s intent and failure. The people of Haryana are demanding answers. The Aam Aadmi Party will not remain silent on this issue and will continue its struggle until concrete action is taken against those responsible.

Chandigarh, February 14

A grand musical evening, ‘Rafi Nite’, dedicated to the legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi, enthralled music lovers at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh, on Friday evening. Organised jointly by the Rafi Memorial Cultural Society and GB Realty, the event witnessed a packed auditorium filled with admirers of Rafi Sahab’s timeless melodies. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Harpal Singh Cheema, Minister for Finance, Excise, Taxation and Planning, Government of Punjab. Gurinder Bhatti, Founder & Chairman, GB Realty, graced the event as Guest of Honour.

Welcoming the dignitaries and audience, President of the Rafi Memorial Cultural Society, G.S. Grewal said that Rafi Sahab’s music transcends time and boundaries. He noted that the overwhelming response to ‘Rafi Nite’ reflects the deep emotional connection people continue to share with his songs and reaffirmed the Society’s dedication to preserving and promoting his musical heritage.

Gurinder Bhatti stated that cultural initiatives like ‘Rafi Nite’ strengthen the social fabric by bringing communities together through shared artistic experiences. He added that GB Realty remains committed to supporting meaningful platforms that celebrate India’s rich musical traditions.

The highlight of the evening was the soul-stirring performances by internationally acclaimed singer Dr. Saurav Kishan, popularly known as ‘Chhota Rafi, ’ and renowned Mumbai-based singer Sampada Goswami. Dr. Kishan captivated the audience with renditions that beautifully recreated the magic and emotional depth of Rafi Sahab’s classic singles.  Sampada Goswami sang duets of Mohammad Rafi songs with Dr Saurav. Both the singers charmed listeners with their melodious duet performances, earning repeated applause. 

Some of soulful solos by Mohammed Rafi that were sung included ‘Yeh Reshmi Zulfein, Yeh Sharbati Aankhein’; ‘Tu Kahan Yeh Bata Is Nasheeli Raat Mein’; ‘Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai’; ‘Baar Baar Dekho, Hazaar Baar Dekho’; ‘Gulabi Aankhen Jo Teri Dekhi’; and ‘Ae Gulbadan, Ae Gulbadan’ among others. Some of Rafi’s evergreen duets included ‘Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye’; ‘Sau Saal Pehle Mujhe Tumse Pyaar Tha’;’Bahut Shukriya, Badi Meherbani’; ‘Udein Jab Jab Zulfein Teri’.

The musical tribute continued for nearly three hours, and included as many as 24 songs of Rafi. The programme celebrated the unmatched legacy of the legendary singer, whose voice continues to inspire generations of music lovers.

General Secretary of the Society, Bal Mukand Sharma, shared that since its formation in 2019, the Rafi Memorial Cultural Society has consistently worked to honour the legend through thematic programmes in Patiala and Chandigarh. He expressed gratitude to the artists, guests and audience for making the evening a memorable success.

Dr. S.K. Batish, Senior Vice President of the Society, remarked that Rafi Sahab’s voice symbolised purity, versatility and emotion. He said the Society’s mission is not only to celebrate his songs but also to inspire younger generations to appreciate the golden era of Indian music.