Chandigarh,3 January -The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) will hold a public hearing on 8th January at the HERC Court Room in Panchkula regarding electricity tariffs for the new financial year 2026–27. The hearing will be conducted on the petitions filed by Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN).
The Commission has invited objections, suggestions, and comments from electricity consumers on these petitions up to 4th January. All the relevant petitions are available on the official websites of UHBVN, DHBVN and HERC.
 It is worth noting that    UHBVN and DHBVN filed their petitions before HERC on 28th  November 2025 for the Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) for FY 2026–27. These petitions also include the True-Up for FY 2024–25, indicating that the audit for the said year has been completed.
As per the True-Up for FY 2024–25, both DISCOMs have sought a total ARR of ₹48,394.77.    It is evident that  For FY 2026–27, both corporations have sought an ARR of ₹51,156.71 crore.
Meanwhile, Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) and Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) filed their ARR petitions before the Commission on 26 November 2025. The Commission has also invited objections, suggestions, and comments on these petitions up to 4 January, and the public hearing for these two corporations will be held on 7th January.
All objections, suggestions, and comments received from the electricity utilities and electricity consumers will be recorded on 7th and 8th January in the presence of HERC Chairman Nand Lal Sharma and Commission Members Mukesh Garg and Shiv Kumar.
The Commission takes decisions on ARR under Sections 62 and 64 of the Electricity Act, 2003. Further, as per Section 64(3) of the Electricity Act, 2003, the Commission is required to pass its order within 120 days from the date of filing of the petitions.

Shimla:

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu after inaugurating Him MSME Fest 2026 at the Ridge today stated that the Fest Him MSME Fest is not merely an exhibition, but a strong platform of opportunities for thousands of small entrepreneurs, artisans and start-ups of the State promoting HIM Brand products globally.  The event will assist promote the ‘Made in Himachal’ brand and help rural, traditional and local MSME products gain National and international recognition and to realize the aspirations of thousands of small entrepreneurs specially women entrepreneurs, artisans and start-ups across the State.

This will further strengthen the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar’ Himachal by fostering innovation, enterprise and inclusive growth.

The HIM fest, being organised by the Industries department, will conclude on 5th January.

The Chief Minister stated that representatives of reputed national and international companies would visit the State during the fest, providing artisans, weavers and small entrepreneurs an opportunity to directly showcase and market their products to global buyers. He added that a hand-made shawl crafted by artisans of Himachal Pradesh, in display in MSME Fest today, has been included in the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’, giving global recognition to Himachali products thus making the State proud.

Besides, the fest lays emphasis on women entrepreneurship and the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative that will help rural entrepreneurs to gain access to new opportunities, thereby strengthening the rural economy and empowering women. Special emphasis would be laid on the greening of MSMEs and this initiative will play a significant role in making Himachal Pradesh towards becoming a green energy State.

He said that over the past three years, the State Government has held meetings with investors in major industrial hubs such as Dubai, Japan and Mumbai. As a result of these efforts, Memorandums of Understanding involving investment commitments exceeding Rs. 5,000 crore have been signed. In addition, 683 industrial projects worth Rs. 14,000 crore have been approved, which are expected to generate employment opportunities for around 32,000 people.

The Chief Minister stated that with the objective of strengthening MSMEs in rural areas, proposals amounting to Rs. 1,642 crore have been submitted to the Central Government, out of which Rs. 109.34 crore has been approved so far. During the last three years, 107 start-ups have been launched in the State, while 407 start-ups are currently in various stages of establishment.

He said that the Him Fest would prove to be a milestone in connecting Himachal Pradesh’s MSME sector with markets, investments and modern technologies globally as reflects from its theme ‘The Craft of the Hills on the Global Stage’.

The Chief Minister further said that this fest serves as a unique convergence point for emerging and established start-ups, where ideas, innovation and investment would come together. Entrepreneurs will be able to exhibit their products and services, engage directly with investors and buyers, and explore new opportunities for start up business expansion.

On the occasion, he also released the ‘Him Innovation Coffee Book’ and honoured various entrepreneurs. Sh. Sukhu extended his best wishes to all participants taking part in Him MSME Fest-2026.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated and visited the exhibitions set up by various entrepreneurs and showed keen interest in the displays.

Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, earlier welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed about the itinerary of three day fest which also involves interact active sessions as well.

He said that sectors such as green mobility, defence, pharmaceuticals, dairy, food processing, artificial intelligence, electronic chips and data centres are being accorded priority to accelerate industrialization vis-à-vis giving push to green industries. Strategic dialogues are being held with leading industry players in these emerging sectors.

Dr. Rajneesh, Development Commissioner for MSME, Ministry of Government of India, lauded the efforts of the state government to promote MSMEs in the state.

Additional Chief Secretary R.D. Nazim gave a detailed presentation on start-ups, industrial development, and various schemes of the department in the state.

Commissioner Industries Dr. Yunus welcomed the Chief Minister and gave a detailed presentation on the MSME Fest. He also apprised him of the industrial development and related activities in the State.

A cultural programme was also organised on the occasion.

Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, MLAs Malender Rajan and Vivek Sharma, Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation Surender Chauhan, Chairman of the State Food Commission Dr. S.P. Katyal, councillors of Shimla Municipal Corporation and senior officers were present on the occasion.

Chandigarh:

The Senior Congress leader and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja said that the continuous delay in the Chautala–Dabwali–Panipat–Meerut National Highway (NH-709) project, which was announced in 2021, is extremely unfortunate. At the time of its announcement, it was said this important highway would be completed by October 2026, but the current situation is that even its Detailed Project Report (DPR) has not yet received final approval.

Kumari Selja said this project is not limited to road construction alone, but is an important development corridor that directly connects the border regions of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan with Uttar Pradesh. Completion of this highway would strengthen regional connectivity, ease transportation, and give a new direction to the overall economic development of the area. She said that farmers from Sri Ganganagar, Abohar, Chautala, Dabwali, Sirsa, Fatehabad, and surrounding areas were expected to benefit greatly from this project. Faster, cheaper, and smoother transportation of agricultural produce such as cotton, wheat, mustard, and other crops to markets and industrial centers would have been possible, reducing farmers’ costs and ensuring better prices for their produce. However, due to the delay in the project, farmers are still facing the same old difficulties.

Kumari Selja said the NH-709 is equally important for industries. This highway would have facilitated easy movement of raw materials and finished goods, encouraged new industrial investments, and created employment opportunities for local youth. Several industrial areas, including Panipat, Hisar, and Sirsa, were to benefit directly, but the project currently remains stalled. Kumari Selja questioned why there is such a delay in decision-making when lakhs of rupees have already been spent on preparing the DPR and it has been pending with the central government for the last two years. Such procrastination in important development-related projects raises serious questions about the government’s working style.

Kumari Selja demanded that the central government immediately approve the DPR of the NH-709 Chautala–Dabwali–Panipat–Meerut project, announce a clear and practical timeline for construction, and implement the announcement made in 2021 at the earliest. She said that this highway is directly linked to increasing farmers’ income, expansion of industries, and overall development of border areas, and keeping it pending any longer is against public interest.

Chandigarh, January 3 — Haryana Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Sh. Gaurav Gautam, said that the core objective of the Skill Development  and Industrial Training Department  is not limited to providing training alone, but to ensure that trained youth secure dignified employment. He emphasized that ensuring job opportunities for youth after completing training from ITIs and other institutions is a collective responsibility of the government and the department, and this responsibility is being carried out in a systematic manner.

The Minister was chairing a review meeting at Panchkula, with the Vice Chancellors and Registrars  of  Universities and officers associated with Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

Sh. Gaurav Gautam directed that officers posted at the headquarters be assigned responsibility for individual districts. These officers will visit ITIs at the ground level to assess the structural fitness of buildings and prepare reports on dilapidated structures, enabling the construction of new buildings where required. He said that the  Haryana Skill Development  and Industrial Training Department

is also providing overseas placement opportunities to youth, and efforts in this direction should be further intensified so that the state’s youth can showcase their talent at the international level. He directed  that overseas placement schemes be widely publicized to ensure maximum participation by youth.

The Minister also directed that regular reviews be conducted of actual placement data received from companies participating in Rozgar Melas  across the state. He directed the  officers to complete academic, administrative, and infrastructure-related works on priority to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the Haryana Skill Department’s mission.

The Minister further directed that all key schemes, including the Saksham Yuva Yojana, flagship schemes, and the Guru–Shishya Scheme, be completed within stipulated timelines. Praising the Dual Training System, the Minister said that it provides youth with both training and practical experience, which significantly enhances their employability.

Principal Secretary , Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Department, Sh. Rajeev Ranjan,  CEO, Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Ltd, Sh. Amit Khatri, Director General,  Director General, Skill Development & Industrial Training Department, Dr. Vivek Aggarwal , Vice Chancellor,  Shri. Vishwakarma Skill University, Palwal, Sh. Dinesh Kumar, along with other senior officers.

Chandigarh, January 3:   Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that the government has consistently placed youth at the core of its policies and implemented numerous youth-centric schemes. He added that over the past decade, the Central and State governments have accomplished what previous governments could not achieve even in several decades.

The Chief Minister was addressing the Prernadaayi Samvad Karyakram (inspiring interaction programme) held with the Haryana state delegation participating in the 29th National Youth Festival-2026, in Panchkula as the chief guest. Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Sh Gaurav Gautam, was also present on the occasion.

Earlier, the Chief Minister boosted the morale of the 64 young participants of the National Youth Festival–2026, interacted with them, posed for a group photograph, and flagged off the delegation. The delegation will represent Haryana at the National Youth Festival–2026 to be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from January 9 to January 12, where they will participate in various competitions, including group dance, debate, painting, Young Leaders’ Dialogue, Hack for Social Cause, and Design for Viksit Bharat.

After flagging off the delegation, the Chief Minister interacted with the youth and said that the flag is not merely a piece of cloth, but a symbol of the values inherited from our ancestors, our brave culture, and the indomitable courage of the youth. He added that it carries the trust that the entire state has placed in them. He further said that National Youth Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Saint Swami Vivekananda, who was youthful not only in age but also in his thinking, mindset, ideas, and actions.

He said that the future of any nation is shaped by the strength of its youth. When young people are energetic, educated, self-confident, and devoted to the nation, no goal remains unattainable. The youth of Haryana have always been hardworking, disciplined, and patriotic, which is why they are playing a leading role today in every field, including the armed forces, sports, education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. Likewise, Haryana’s rich folk culture-its dances, music, art, and traditions reflect simplicity, strength, and warmth. When these are showcased at the National Youth Festival, the entire country will witness the true soul of Haryana.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi has emphasized that youth empowerment is the key to building a strong India, and that the nation’s youth must play a pivotal role if India is to emerge as a global leader. He added that it is the result of the Prime Minister’s efforts that India has today become the world’s fourth-largest economy. The Prime Minister’s vision is to make India a developed nation and the world’s largest economy by 2047.

Referring to Haryana, Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that the present State Government has consistently worked to recognize and nurture the talent of the youth and has formulated a comprehensive youth policy. He recalled that during the Assembly elections, he had promised that immediately upon assuming office, the light of government employment would reach the homes of 24,000 young people. He said this promise was treated as a sacred commitment, and accordingly, on October 17, 2024, along with the formation of the Cabinet, appointment letters for Group C posts were handed over to 24,000 youth.

He said that the government has not confined its efforts to providing only government jobs, but has also taken care of youth employed through the Haryana Kaushal Razgor Nigam. Their future has been secured through the enactment of a law. As a result, these young employees will now receive benefits such as dearness allowance and annual increments, similar to regular employees, enabling them to lead their lives with dignity and self-respect.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over incidents of young people going abroad through illegal means, commonly referred to as the “donkey route.” He said that to put an end to such fraud and the activities of illegal agents, the State Government passed a historic Bill in the Legislative Assembly on March 26, 2025, which has now been enacted into law. This will ensure transparency in the functioning of travel agents and hold those involved in fraudulent practices accountable. He emphasized that the government wants the youth to go abroad, but with dignity, safety, and security. In this direction, 1.14 lakh young people have also been provided with skill training to help them establish themselves in global markets.

Earlier, Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Sh Gaurav Gautam, said that a total of 64 participants from Haryana, representing various fields and districts, will showcase their talent and skills at the national level. He expressed confidence that the youth of Haryana will create a distinct identity for the state across the country. He added that today’s youth are not only custodians of rich traditions but also pioneers of innovation. Through startups, they are generating employment, and in the field of sports, they are hoisting the tricolour at the international level.

On this occasion, Kalka MLA Shakti Rani Sharma, former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Gian Chand Gupta, State Vice President Banto Kataria, District President Ajay Mittal, Principal Secretary of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Ranjan, Director Vivek Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner Satpal Sharma, Media Secretary to Chief Minister Sh Praveen Atrey along with participants and a large number of young people, were present.

Chandigarh, January 3: Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini, today visited Western Command at Chandimandir Military Station. He was received and briefed by Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, Army Commander, Western Command.

The visit commenced with a tour of the Western Command Museum, where the Chief Minister was apprised of the Command’s rich history, major campaigns, gallantry and evolving military traditions, offering a comprehensive insight into its operational legacy.

During a detailed briefing and interaction with senior military leadership, the Chief Minister was informed about Western Command’s key achievements, including successes under Operation Sindoor and humanitarian assistance rendered during Floods. Ongoing recruitment rallies, youth outreach initiatives, logistics support systems, modernisation efforts and induction of new technologies were also highlighted.

 Veteran welfare initiatives, including the Senior Veterans’ Home, were covered as part of the briefing, underscoring the Indian Army’s people-centric approach and its enduring commitment to the care, dignity and well-being of veterans and their families.

Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Western Command during Operation Sindoor and humanitarian assistance. He assured full support of the Haryana Government in addressing various issues related to the ex-servicemen.

The visit concluded with a brief one-to-one interaction between the Chief Minister and the Army Commander, reaffirming strong civil–military synergy and a shared commitment towards national security, youth empowerment and veterans’ welfare.

Chandigarh, December 3:

Punjab Defence Services Welfare Minister Shri Mohinder Bhagat released the Diary and Table Calendar for the year 2026 of the Defence Services Welfare Department at Chandigarh.

The Minister informed that the Diary and Table Calendar have been specially designed to provide important information and departmental contact details at one place for the convenience of families of ex-servicemen and their dependents.

He said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is working with full commitment for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. He added that the Defence Services Welfare Department is continuously taking effective initiatives to ensure the convenience, welfare, and honour of the defence community.

Additional Chief Secretary, Defence Services Welfare Department, Shri J.M. Balamurugan; Director Brigadier Bhupinder Singh Dhillon (Retd); and OSD Col. Jarnail Singh (Retd) were also present on the occasion.