IEP Chandigarh, February 18-

As part of slew of steps underway to augment the transportation network, Chief Minister today flagged off as many as 70 fully built-up standard Non–AC buses meeting BS VI Emission Norms.        As per the plans, 400 fully built-up standard Non-AC Buses are likely to be delivered by March 31, 2023, and the remaining buses will be delivered before June 30, 2023.        While flagging off the buses from Panchkula today, Sh. Manohar Lal said that acknowledging the fact that strengthening public transport is one of the key issues in the endeavours towards more sustainable transport systems, the state government, time and again has increased the number of public transport.        “Providing affordable, safe, efficient public transport services in Haryana and adjoining areas is our utmost priority. The government plans to buy 550 electric buses, 50 electric buses will ply in Gurugram and 50 at Faridabad.”, said Sh. Manohar Lal.        Divulging more details, the Chief Minister said that flagging off these buses is more special, as for the first time in Transport Department, has got finalized fully build-up Standard Non- AC Buses.        “Earlier the department used to purchase bus chassis from bus/ chassis manufacturers and thereafter bus body fabrication is done by Haryana Roadways Engineering Corporation (HREC) Gurugram, which takes more time to carry out bus body fabrication on the supplied chassis resulting in the delayed supply of fully built-up buses to the depots,” shared Sh. Manohar Lal.        Notably, these buses have added features such as destination boards for updated information to the travellers, Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTD), panic buttons as per CMVR and pneumatically controlled front service doors for better control in the buses by drivers.        The proposal of State Transport Haryana to procure 1000 Fully Built-up Standard Non–AC buses meeting BS VI emission norms were approved at the level of the High Powered Purchase Committee (HPPC) held under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister.        Principal Secretary, Transport Department, Sh. Navdeep Singh Virk, Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, Sh. Mahavir Kaushik, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sh. Sumer Partap Singh and other officers also remained present on this occasion. 

IEP Chandigarh, February 18

In a first-of-its-kind case, Haryana Police by establishing enhanced coordination with CBI and Interpol officials at all levels has played a significant contribution in the identification of a dead body abroad by matching DNA of a blood relative with that of the body.

Giving the information here today, a Haryana Police spokesperson informed that in this international level case related to district Kurukshetra, the police did not resort to lengthy procedures like MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) or LR (Letter Rogatory) in DNA investigation.

This is the first time that such a case of DNA matching has been done through 24×7 Interpol channels using Interpol standardized digital format. Initially, the Haryana Police had sent a physical sample of DNA which could not be sent through Interpol channels. However later, the digital format DNA profile was collected by Haryana Police in Interpol standardized format and Haryana Police received the digital profile of DNA from CFSL Chandigarh and transmitted to Croatia through Interpol’s 24×7 channels on the same day.

A complaint in this regard was received from Paramjeet Kaur, a resident of district Kurukshetra in which the complainant stated that her son Parminder wanted to go to Italy. After completing required formalities in this regard, she came to know that his son has reached Serbia and after that he will be sent to Italy by air. She also learned from sources that an unidentified body had been found in Croatia, which she suspected to be that of her son Parminder Singh. The complainant expressed apprehension that the accused Gaurav Gupta and others may have killed his son out of greed for money. Based on the above complaint, a formal case under Sections 406, 420 IPC and 10 & 24 was registered at Police Station City Pehowa vide FIR No. 111 dated 13.04.2022.

Subsequently, a case was filed in the High Court by relatives of the suspected deceased Parminder for identification of his body in Croatia. In compliance of High Court order dated 21.11.2022, DNA sample of Paramjit Kaur (mother of Parminder Singh) was collected by Kurukshetra Police through CHC, Pehowa, Kurukshetra and sent to CFSL, Sector-36 Chandigarh for DNA Profiling. Thereafter, after completing all the formalities, along with the submission of DNA profile of Paramjit Kaur, communication was made with the concerned department of Union Home Ministry.

CBI-IPCU (Central Bureau of Investigation-International Police Cooperation Unit) had filed a status report in the High Court detailing the communication made with NCB-Zagreb (Croatia) and the steps being taken to identify the subject.

CBI had shared digital DNA format of INTERPOL with Haryana police and obtained a digital DNA format of the blood relative i.e. Patamjeet Kaur. The same was emailed to NCB Zagreb(Croatia). DNA sequence was mailed by NCB-New Delhi to NCB Zagreb (Croatia). The same was matched by Croatian authorities and positive identification was given on 13.02.2023. The same was informed to Haryana police and also to the family members of the deceased. NCB-Zagreb (Croatia) informed of positive identification of the suspected unidentified dead body to be of Parminder Singh based on digital DNA profiling.

The relatives of the deceased have been informed about these developments. Though the dead body has already been buried by the Croatian government authorities, the family members will now proceed to claim the last mortal remains from Croatia with the assistance of the Government of India.

IEP Chandigarh, February 18

Haryana Governor, Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya, along with his family, today offered prayers to Lord Shiva by performing ‘Jalabhishek’ at the ancient Shiva temple of Saketri on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivaratri.The Governor extended greetings to the people of Haryana and the country on the occasion of Maha-Shivratri and prayed for the progress and prosperity of the state.On this occasion, Sh. K D Sharma, Head of Shiv Mandir Trust, presented a memento of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati to the Governor. 

IEP Chandigarh, February 18

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala informed that the outstanding amount of Rs. 629 crores of GST compensation for June 2022 will be received from the Central Government soon, its approval has been given today in the 49th GST Council meeting held in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Union Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.

The Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the convener of the “Constitution of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) “, gave this information after attending the council meeting. The Deputy Chief Minister as the convener of the GoM presented recommendations of the GoM constituted by the GST Council for the Constitution of the GST Appellate Tribunal

        Sh. Chautala requested the Fitment Committee  to examine the rate issue in the Sports Utility Vehicle / Multi Utility Vehicle and bring it up to the Council for a final decision.

        The Deputy CM further informed that the GST Council has reduced the rate of GST on Rab (Liquid Jaggery) to zero. GST on loose liquid jaggery has been reduced from 18 per cent to nil. That means there will be no tax on it. At the same time, the rate of GST on packaged liquid jaggery has been reduced from 18% to 5%. GST rates on pencils and sharpeners have been reduced from 18% to 12%.

On behalf of Haryana, Excise & Taxation Commissioner, Sh. Ashok Kumar Meena, Additional Commissioner (GST), Sh. Siddharth Jain also participated in the meeting along with the Deputy Chief Minister.

IEP Chandigarh, February 17

Anti Corruption Bureau, Haryana has caught seven accused including–an ITI Principal, two police officials, two patwari, a panchayat secretary and an auction recorder – red-handed during the last fortnight while accepting bribes worth over Rs 1.66 lakhs from Karnal, Gurugram, Panipat, Kaithal, Sirsa and Bhiwani districts.

Sharing the information here today, the spokesperson of the Anti Corruption Bureau said that Anil Kumar Yadav, ITI Principal, Bhiwani was nabbed by the Bureau team on the complaint of Vikas (Sweeper engaged under the HKRNL scheme at ITI Bhiwani). The accused was demanding bribe from the employees engaged under Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam to continue in the job. The tainted money of Rs 12000 has been recovered from the accused.

The complainant who did not wish to pay the bribe had approached the bureau and after verifying the information, a team laid a trap and caught the accused.

In the second incident, the Bureau team arrested Panchayat Secretary Sunil Kumar red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 for reducing the fine for fisheries. Complainant, a resident of Baba Ladana village in Kaithal, informed that he was doing fish farming in his fields. For some reason he was fined. After this, the Panchayat Secretary had demanded a bribe in the name of removing his name.

In another case, a ESI Subhash Chand of police station Nissing was nabbed red-handed for accepting bribe of Rs 10,000 from an Advocate in lieu of giving evidence in an accident case registered at Sadar police station, Kaithal.

In yet another crackdown, Anti Corruption Bureau had arrested an ASI rank police officer, Sushil, posted as Reader of the Panipat Traffic DSP red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 1.10 lakh. The accused was demanding bribe from the complainant to remove the section of rape in a dowry case and also the names of co-accused from the FIR.

In Gurugram, the Bureau team has arrested Sanjay, Patwari of the Haryana Shahri Vikas Pradhikaran while accepting a bribe of Rs.8,000. Patwari had demanded bribe to present the report of the interest received by the complainant in lieu of the acquired land in the court. The team raided and arrested the accused Patwari red-handed while taking bribe.

In Karnal, Bureau had arrested an Auction Recorder of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board red-handed while he was accepting Rs 10,000 to issue a fodder licence for selling fodder. The accused was identified as Raghubir, posted at the Karnal Market Committee office.

In another case, Bureau team had arrested Anil, Halka Patwari of Begu Shahpur in Sirsa district while accepting bribe of Rs 1800 in lieu of reporting the ownership of complainant’s house for loan purposes.

Cases have been registered against them at respective police stations of the Anti Corruption Bureau. Further investigation is underway.

IEP Chandigarh, February 17

Haryana Governor and Chairman, Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB), Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya said that better plans should be formulated to develop Kurukshetra grandly on the world map; so that people could get more information about its importance. “Maintaining the dignity, an action plan should be chalked out for Kurukshetra on the lines of Varanasi, in which the illustration of the idols of Mahabharata war characters can be seen around Brahma Sarovar,” he said.

        Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya was presiding over the 81st meeting of the Kurukshetra Development Board management at Haryana Raj Bhavan. Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala, MP Nayab Singh Saini, MLA Subhash Sudha, along with senior officers and board members were present in the meeting.

         A total of 20 agenda items were placed in the meeting on which decisions were taken unanimously. The grand booklet of ‘International Gita Mahotsav-2022’ was also released; which comprises the detailed highlights and activities of the programmes conducted during the Gita Mahotsav.

        The Governor directed that a booklet should also be prepared on the role of 134 pilgrimage centres of 48-kos of Kurukshetra and structural infrastructure should also be developed in these areas; to provide benefits to the maximum number of people. He said that the meeting of the Kurukshetra Development Board would be organized every year to take time to time decisions regarding the development of the board. “As many villages are connected with the Kurukshetra Development Board; an action plan should be prepared to develop Kurukshetra,” he added.

International Gita Mahotsav in Australia in April

        Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that with constant endeavours of the state government, a continuous initiative has been taken since the year 2016 to spread the knowledge of Gita globally. In this series, the International Gita Jayanti Mahotsav will be organized in Australia this year in April. Notably, the International Gita Mahotsav was celebrated with much fanfare in Mauritius, England and Canada. 

        The Chief Minister said that tourism information centres should be set up at important places like Panchkula, Gurugram, Kurukshetra and Rakhigarhi to give tourism information to the people; so that Kurukshetra as well as other places can also be developed as a tourism hub. “Arrangements for small electronic buses should also be made by the board for tourists. On the lines of Dubai, appropriate places should be selected for the conservation of crocodiles in mini zoos across the state,” he added.

On lines of Brahma Sarovar, adjacent Sarovar will also be developed

      Sh. Manohar Lal said that on the lines of Brahma Sarovar, the contiguous Sarovar will also be developed, with clean water and proper drainage arrangements. He said that a statue of Maharishi Dadhichi would be installed on the Sarovar and Saraswati Tirtha and gate would also be constructed. The Chief Minister said that a rest house would also be constructed near the office of the Kurukshetra Development Board and by keeping the theme of the Multimedia Laser Show Musical Foundation religious; it would be developed according to the site.

        Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. DS Dhesi, Additional Chief Secretary, Sh. TVSN Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary, Sh. Arun Gupta, Board Member, Sh. Vijay Singh Dahiya, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Sh. Bharat Bhushan Bharti, along with the office bearers and members of the board were present on the occasion.

IEP Chandigarh, February 17

Haryana Government has issued transfer and posting orders of 1 IAS, 2 HCS and 1 HPS officers with immediate effect.

        Mani Ram Sharma, Special Secretary to Government, Haryana, Finance Department has been given additional charge of Special Secretary to Government, Home Department.

        Gagandeep Singh-II, Estate Officer, HSVP, Panchkula, Land Acquisition Officer, Panchkula and Joint Director (Establishment), Housing for All, Haryana-cum-Secretary, Housing Board has been posted as Deputy Secretary, Home Department.

        Manav Malik, Inquiry Officer, Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board has been given additional charge of (i) Estate Officer, HSVP, Panchkula. (ii) Land Acquisition Officer, Panchkula. (iii) Joint Director (Establishment), Housing for All, Haryana-cum-Secretary, Housing Board, Haryana.

        Vijay Deshwal, HPS, District Transport Officer-cum- Secretary, RTA, Palwal has been posted as District Transport Officer-cum-Secretary, RTA,  Karnal.

Sunil Sangwan, Supdt. Jail, District Transport Officer-cum- Secretary, RTA, Jhajjar has been posted as District Transport Officer- cum-Secretary, RTA, Palwal.

IEP Chandigarh, February 15

Haryana Governor, Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya on Wednesday paid his floral tribute to Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati to mark the auspicious occasion of his 2th birth centenary year at Raj Bhavan here. Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati ji was a man of the era who worked for the revival of Vedic culture, social inclusivity and equality, said Sh. Dattatraya.

The Governor said that Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati ji used the mission of Vedic culture revival as a tool to promote the spirit of Swarajya and Independence. In 1857, the Britishers tried their best to suppress the freedom movement but Maharishi Dayanand played an important role in giving national form to our collective efforts towards freedom movement, he said.

Spearheading the revolution of social reforms through eradication of social evils, promotion of women’s education and social harmony, Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati ji strengthened the spirit of Swadeshi, Swarajya and independence among Indians, he said.

Sh. Dattatraya said that Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati ji strongly opposed the evils of casteism, untouchability and gender inequality in Indian society. He told the people that these evil practices were never a part of Indian Vedic culture.

These evils cropped up due to the deviation from the Indian Vedic culture and these evils should be eradicated from their roots. His thoughts had a deep impact on the Indian public mind. The teachings of Maharishi Dayanand are relevant even today. Following his teachings, Arya Samaj organizations are making a significant contribution in the field of social service even today, said Sh. Dattatraya.

IEP Chandigarh, February 15

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the ideology of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati and the Arya Samaj founded by him has played a significant role in liberating India. “The ideology of Arya Samaj inspired innumerable people for freedom, which led the country to independence,” he added.

The Chief Minister was addressing as the chief guest during a programme organized on the 200th birth anniversary celebrations of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati at Rohtak’s Maharishi Dayanand University today. Gujarat Governor, Sh. Acharya Devvrat, Member of Parliament, Sh. Arvind Sharma, former minister, Sh. Manish Grover, Vice Chancellor, Maharishi Dayanand University, Prof. Rajbir Singh, along with other dignitaries and a large number of students were present on the occasion.

Paying tribute to Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, the Chief Minister said that following the path shown by Maharishi Dayanand and working for the strength of the nation would be a true tribute to him. “That is why every person should try to eliminate social evils like casteism, untouchability etc and make continuous efforts to take children forward by giving them education,” he added.

He said that Maharishi Dayanand was the main architect of the revolution of 1857 and influenced by his nationalist ideology; many patriots like Ram Prasad Bismil, Sardar Bhagat Singh, joined the Arya Samaj, who later worked for the independence of the country by furthering his ideology. “Following the guidance shown by Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, the state government is also working on the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’; so that every needy person can progress,” said the Chief Minister.

Work being done to promote women’s education and empowerment

The Chief Minister said that the state government is continuously working to promote women’s education and empowerment. He said that after the formation of the present government, 72 colleges have been set up in the state; out of which 31 are women’s colleges. Women have been given 50 percent representation in Panchayati Raj institutions, he added.

“Similarly, the number of women police personnel in Haryana Police is being increased. Earlier, the number of women police personnel used to be only 6 percent; which has been increased to 9 percent and now it will be increased to 15 percent,” asserted Sh. Manohar Lal.

Special focus on youth and employment

Terming Haryana as a youth-oriented state, the Chief Minister said that the state’s 65 percent of the population is youth. “This population is being included in the stream of development of the country and the state; by giving them training for employment and self-employment,” he added. He said that by the year 2025, the National Education Policy will also be fully implemented in Haryana. The Chief Minister also released the ‘Yuva Bharat-Yuva Bodh Pustika’ during the programme.

He said that seven points have been described in the booklet to take the country and the state forward. “To work on all these points, a special campaign will be launched for the next two years. People will be informed about them, so that they will come forward to work on issues related to social concern,” he added.

IEP Chandigarh, February 15

Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that special focus will be given on skill development, employment generation and youth empowerment in the budget for the year 2023-24. “The state’s 2023-24 budget will be completely a balanced and inclusive budget. Along with infrastructure, there will be a balance of all sectors including education, employment generation and social welfare,” he said.

        The Chief Minister was presiding over a pre-budget consultation meeting with the Administrative Secretaries of Foreign Cooperation, Skill Training, Employment and Industrial Training departments at Haryana Niwas today. Stakeholders from these sectors and various entrepreneurs also participated in the meeting.

        Sh. Manohar Lal said that Haryana will contribute in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of making India a USD 5 trillion economy. He said that the state government is paying special attention to skill development and the industries will also have to cooperate more in making the youth skilled.

Various initiatives to connect with foreign countries

        The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Overseas Cell and Haryana Export Promotion Council have been formed by the state government to provide employment opportunities to the youth. Apart from this, Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Sh. Amit Shah has inaugurated the Haryana Cooperative Export House in Karnal; through which the cooperative societies of the state will be able to export their products, he added.

        “The all-round development of the state is the priority of the government. The budget will focus on every sector including infrastructure development, health, employment generation, housing, social welfare, farmers welfare, higher education, innovation and research; which will benefit every section,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

Haryana doing commendable work in skill training, employment generation and ease of doing business

        During the meeting, the stakeholders gave point-wise suggestions and also appreciated the work being done by the state government for skill training and employment generation of the youth. They said that Haryana is taking progressive steps in the matter of ease of doing business. On their suggestions, the Chief Minister assured to include them in the budget.

        Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. DS Dhesi, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar, Chairman, HAFED, Sh. Kailash Bhagat, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. K.M. Pandurang and administrative secretaries of various departments remained present in the meeting.