Chandigarh-February 5, 2026-The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suomotu cognizance of an extremely heart-rending and inhuman incident and has expressed strong concern over the grave insensitivity of the State’s public health system and administrative machinery. The matter pertains to a news report dated January 30, 2026, published in a leading daily newspaper titled “Woman dies in hospital, cash-strapped kin take body home on cart.”

According to the news report, a 35-year-old woman, Anuradha, died during treatment at Badshah Khan Civil Hospital, Faridabad. Owing to the family’s extremely poor financial condition, the relatives were unable to arrange money for transportation of the dead body. As no ambulance or hearse was provided by the hospital or the administration, the body of the deceased was taken to village Sarurpur on a motorised open pushcart.

The Commission, headed by Justice LalitBatra, described the incident as a direct assault on human dignity, constitutional values and the very concept of a Welfare State.

Human Dignity Does Not End With Death

In its order, the Full Commission comprising Chairperson Justice LalitBatra and Members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia observed that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India is not confined merely to existence, but also includes the right to live—and die—with dignity. Forcing a family to transport a dead body in degrading conditions due to poverty reflects a serious abdication of the State’s constitutional and moral responsibilities.

Heart-Rending Scene: Seven-Year-Old Son Holding His Mother’s Shroud

Referring to the circumstances described in the news report, the Commission noted that the motorised cart was being driven by the aged father-in-law of the deceased, while her husband and mother-in-law walked alongside in mourning. The deceased woman’s seven-year-old son was holding tightly onto the sheet covering his mother’s body to prevent it from being blown away by the wind. The Commission observed that such scenes compel deep introspection for any civilised and sensitive society.

Policy Vacuum and Administrative Apathy Exposed

The Haryana Human Rights Commission also expressed grave concern over statements made by health officials claiming that government ambulances are not meant for transporting dead bodies. According to the Commission, such statements reveal a policy vacuum and administrative insensitivity. The Commission clarified that the real issue is not whether the family made a request, but whether the State has any assured, accessible and dignified mechanism for transporting the bodies of deceased persons belonging to economically weaker families.

Not an Isolated Incident, but a Systemic Failure

The Commission observed that similar incidents have repeatedly surfaced across the country, where impoverished families are compelled to transport sick relatives or dead bodies using carts, rickshaws, motorcycles or other makeshift means. Such incidents are not isolated lapses but reflect a deep-rooted systemic failure of the health and administrative framework.

Dignity in Death Is a Right, Not Charity

Based on the above facts, the Commission, headed by Justice LalitBatra, categorically stated that no Welfare State can permit poverty to determine how a citizen’s body is treated after death. Ensuring dignity in death is not an act of charity but a constitutional and human rights obligation.

Recommendation to Frame a New Policy

The Commission noted that the Government of Haryana already provides free ambulance services to pregnant women for transportation to and from Civil Hospitals. On the same lines, the Commission has recommended that the Health Department, Government of Haryana, frame a policy ensuring that in cases where a patient from an economically weaker family dies during treatment in any Civil Hospital, the dead body is transported to the residence of the deceased free of cost and in a dignified manner.

Action Taken Reports Sought From Senior Officers:

The Commission’s Assistant Registrar Dr.PuneetArora informed that the Commission has directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department,Haryana; Director General, Health Services, Haryana; and the Civil Surgeon-cum-Chief Medical Officer, Faridabad to submit their respective action taken reports at least one week prior to the next date of hearing.

The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for April 2, 2026.

Owing to the proactive strategy and focused operations of Haryana Police, a significant decline of 8.24 percent has been recorded in total registered crimes in January 2026 as compared to January 2025. While 10,115 cases were registered in January 2025, this number came down to 9,492 in January 2026. Moreover, rape cases declined by 54.55 percent, SC/ST cases by 32.91 percent, robbery by 77 percent, along with a substantial reduction in other major crimes, clearly reflecting the effectiveness of proactive policing by Haryana Police. Sharing his Vision-2026, Director General of Police, Haryana Ajay Singhal stated that the objective of Haryana Police is not merely to control crime, but to create a secure, sensitive and trustworthy environment where every citizen—especially women, children and vulnerable sections—feels completely safe. He emphasized that by the year 2026, Haryana Police will further strengthen proactive, technology-driven and intelligence-based policing, giving priority to crime prevention so that offences are effectively curbed even before they occur. He added that by 2026, Haryana Police will expand technological innovations in the fields of cyber crime control, road safety, emergency response and public interface, making the police force faster, more transparent and more accountable. Strengthening police-public partnership, trust-based policing will be promoted further to deepen cooperation and confidence between society and the police.

 Terming women’s safety and protection of vulnerable sections as the highest priority, the DGP stated that a “zero tolerance” policy has been adopted towards crimes against women and children in the state, resulting in nearly 100 percent detection rate in such cases. He informed that rape cases witnessed a sharp decline of 54.55 percent, reducing from 99 cases to 45. Additionally, cases of attempt to rape declined by 14.29 percent, while crimes registered under the SC/ST Act decreased by 32.91 percent. A continuous downward trend has also been observed in cases under the POCSO Act and molestation.

 The DGP stated that effective control has been established over heinous, violent and property-related crimes in the state. As per data, burglary cases declined by 31 percent, theft by 23 percent and snatching incidents by 20 percent. Similarly, violent crimes also recorded a significant reduction, including a 45 percent decline in cases of grievous hurt, 29 percent in attempt to murder and 15 percent in murder cases.

Highlighting the stringent action taken against organized crime, gangsters and drug traffickers, the DGP informed that 17 encounters were conducted by the police in January, leading to the arrest of 26 criminals, including 9 rewarded offenders. During this period, a total of 9,561 criminals were arrested, including 810 heinous offenders, 450 proclaimed offenders and 49 rewarded criminals. Under the Arms Act, 191 cases were registered with 293 arrests, leading to the recovery of 237 illegal weapons, 512 cartridges and 20 magazines. Under the NDPS Act, 395 cases were registered and 707 drug traffickers were arrested, with a huge quantity of narcotic substances seized. As part of stringent action against gangsters, 13 LOCs (Look Out Circulars) were issued and data of 162 high-profile criminals was shared with inter-state agencies.

The DGP highlighted the public service and humanitarian initiatives of Haryana Police, stating that out of 1,15,342 calls received on Dial-112, 1,05,618 calls were successfully resolved, achieving a satisfaction rate of 92 percent. To strengthen security arrangements, approximately 5,460 police personnel were deployed daily at 424 checkpoints. During the severe cold wave, humanitarian assistance was provided to 15,757 needy persons. In the field of road safety, 3,38,953 challans were issued and 2,413 accident victims were provided immediate on-the-spot assistance. Additionally, 2,073 awareness programmes were organized on cyber crime, women’s safety and social awareness, benefiting more than 1.66 lakh citizens.

 Appealing to all citizens of the state, Director General of Police, Haryana Ajay Singhal said that building a safe and crime-free Haryana is not possible through police efforts alone, but requires active participation from every section of society. He urged citizens to cooperate with the police in maintaining law and order, immediately report any suspicious activity, and actively participate in spreading awareness against drug abuse, cyber crime and crimes against women.

Rohtak, February 1

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda has termed the Union Budget 2025-26 as discriminatory towards Haryana, calling it completely hollow and disappointing. He said Haryana has been left empty-handed in the budget, while the common man, farmers, laborers, and villagers have received no relief.
Speaking at a press conference, Hooda said that this budget has completely failed to meet the expectations of the common man. “Nothing has been done to provide relief from inflation, and no exemption has been given in income tax. While tax is being collected on cryptocurrency, the government is not clarifying whether it is considered legal or illegal,” he stated.
Neglect of Education and Health Sectors:
“Looking at the percentage of GDP spent on education, after the removal of the cess in 2002-03, the total expenditure was 2.3 percent, which has now decreased to only 1.1 percent—less than half. Similarly, in 2017, the target was to spend 2.5 percent of the GDP on health, but currently, it is below 1 percent. Budget cuts have been made in these sectors,” he said.
Neglect of Farmers:
“Farmers have been completely ignored in the budget. There is neither any provision for loan waiver nor any arrangement to fix the Minimum Support Price (MSP) according to the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. Farmers are already in distress, but the central government has not paid any attention to their plight,” he pointed out.
Significant cuts across various sectors
Rural Development: ₹53,067 crore
Urban Development: ₹39,573 crore
Social Welfare: ₹9,999 crore
Agriculture: ₹6,985 crore
Education: ₹6,701 crore
Health: ₹3,686 crore
He said revenue expenditure decreased by ₹75,168 crore, while capital expenditure saw massive cuts—₹25,335 crore at the central level and ₹1,19,041 crore at the state level. The central government’s capital expenditure as a percentage of GDP fell from 3.2 percent to 3.1 percent. Not a single word was mentioned about this poor performance in the budget speech.
Threat to MGNREGA:
Hooda warned that preparations are underway to dismantle MGNREGA. This would be a direct attack on the rights of Dalits, backward classes, and rural people, as this scheme is a major support system for rural employment and poverty alleviation.
He said this budget is proof of the BJP’s anti-people policies. “The common man is struggling with inflation, unemployment, and economic crisis, but the central government has only paid lip service. This budget has been prepared by ignoring the interests of Haryana and the entire country,” he noted.

SAS NAGAR, 30th January 2026:

Distributing appointment letters to 916 young men and women from various departments in Mohali on Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the exercise reflected the AAP government’s commitment to delivering government jobs without bribery or favouritism, under its flagship ‘Mission Rozgar’.

Noting that 63,943 youths have already been given government jobs purely on merit, the Chief Minister asserted that the process of handing over appointment letters would continue in the coming days, contrasting it with previous governments where jobs were decided by recommendation and bribes rather than capability.

Sharing a few snippets from the event on X, CM Bhagwant Singh stated: “Today in Mohali, appointment letters were distributed to 916 young men and women from various departments. They were extended best wishes to serve Punjab and its people with complete dedication and integrity. So far, 63,943 youths have been provided government jobs without bribery or recommendation. In the coming days as well, the process of handing over appointment letters to the youth under ‘Mission Rozgar’ will continue uninterrupted.”

Addressing the gathering at Vikas Bhawan while distributing appointment letters to newly recruited youth, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for decades, the rightful opportunities of the state’s young men and women were cornered by relatives and close associates of those in power, leaving merit sidelined and aspirations crushed. “Earlier, the rights of Punjab’s youth were grabbed by the near and dear ones of those in power. The legendary martyrs like Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh and others must be deeply hurt that even after more than 70 years of Independence, their dreams were not fulfilled. This is a major embarrassment for all of us,” he said.

The Chief Minister asserted that ever since assuming office, his government has been making sustained efforts to realise the dreams of the country’s great national heroes. “Previous governments looted the money meant for education and even jobs. Our government has opened the doors of government jobs for the youth,” the Chief Minister said, adding that 63,943 youths have been provided government jobs in the last four years.

Calling the day a landmark moment for the newly appointed candidates, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today is a red-letter day for these youth who have received jobs in various departments. The Punjab government has crossed the figure of providing more than 63,000 government jobs in a completely transparent manner.” In contrast, he said, the Union government was offering schemes with conditions that were of little use to the common man.

Highlighting the state’s welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister asserted the Punjab government has launched the ‘Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna’, the state’s largest health reform programme. “Every family will now get up to ₹10 lakh of cashless treatment. Earlier this limit was ₹5 lakh, which has now been doubled. Around 65 lakh families will benefit from this scheme aimed at the welfare of every section of society,” he said.

He further said that the state government has closed 19 toll plazas in Punjab, saving ₹64 lakh every day from the pockets of the common people. “To ensure accessible healthcare, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened across the state, providing free treatment and medicines. Since July 2022, 90 percent of households are getting free electricity, yet the opposition remains busy finding faults instead of acknowledging this work,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

The Chief Minister said Punjab has inherited a rich legacy from great sports persons, generals, philanthropists and others who served the nation with their sweat and blood. “Our government is leaving no stone unturned for the welfare of every section of society through pro-people and development-oriented measures. Unemployment is the root cause of several social problems, and that is why we are focusing on eradicating it,” he said.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to transparent recruitment, Bhagwant Singh Mann said all vacant posts are filled promptly through a foolproof mechanism. “Not even a single appointment out of these nearly 64,000 jobs has been challenged in any court. It is a proud moment for the Punjab government that all these jobs have been given purely on the basis of merit,” he said.

Describing the occasion as momentous, the Chief Minister said the newly appointed youth are now part of the Punjab government family. “For the first time in the history of the state, a government has given a record number of more than 63,000 jobs in just four years. All appointments have been made on merit, without corruption or nepotism. We are determined to fulfil the dreams of our freedom fighters and make Punjab a progressive state,” he said.

He said that health, education, power, water, infrastructure and law and order are the top priorities of his government. “We are ensuring holistic development of the state and its people. I urge the youth to discharge their duties with utmost professional commitment and use their pen wisely in the service of the people,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.

Meanwhile, sharing their experiences, newly appointed Dr Pooja from Roopnagar said it was a great opportunity for her to become part of the state government. Jasanpreet Kaur from Mukatsar Sahib thanked the Chief Minister for the recruitment drive, saying the government has provided genuine opportunities for youth to prove themselves.

Dr Damanpreet Kaur from Amritsar said the entire credit for the free and fair recruitment process goes to the state government. “For the first time, promises made to the people have been fulfilled. The recruitment was conducted purely on merit, giving deserving youth a fair chance,” she said.

Veterinary Officer Dr Kamalpreet Singh from Moga said the government is bridging the gap between the Animal Husbandry Department and farmers. “I got this job purely on merit through a transparent process. Only hard work has paid off,” he said. Cooperative Inspector Jaspreet Kaur said she secured her second government job without any bribe or recommendation and promised to perform her duties with full dedication.

Dr Mukesh said this was his third government job and cited the transparency of the process, adding that he never even checked his email after the examination. “My mother died due to lack of proper treatment. I dedicate this job to her and to the service of the people of Punjab,” he said. Staff Nurse Tamana from Amritsar said the appointment was a dream come true for her and her family, lauding the government for a free and fair recruitment process.

On the occasion, Cabinet Ministers Dr Balbir Singh, Gurmeet Singh Khudian and others were present.

Chandigarh January 30, 2026:

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against the corruption in the state, has apprehended Dr. Harkirat Gill, S.M.O, and Satwinder Singh Senior Assistant, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 32000/-. Both accused posted at Community Health Center Sidhwan Bet district Ludhiana.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by health worker.

He said that the an audit was going on in the Community Health Center at Sidhwan Bet. Dr. Harkirat Gill S.M.O., through Satwinder Singh Senior Assistant Community Health Center Sidhwan Bet, demanded Rs. 2500 to Rs. 6000 per employee from about 50 employees posted at Sidhwan Bet CHC to give bribe to the audit team.

After a preliminary enquiry of his complaint, the VB EOW Ludhiana team laid a trap during which the accused Satwinder Singh Senior Assistant was arrested red-handed in presence of government witnesses while accepting Rs. 32,000 as bribe from the complainant.

In this connection, Dr. Harkirat Gill SMO Sidhwan Bet was also arrested. During raid, a total of Rs. 1,04,500 has been recovered from the purse of Dr. Harkirat Gill S.M.O. and an amount of Rs.1,07,000 has also been recovered from the pockets of accused Satwinder Singh Senior Assistant.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station, Economic Offences Wing, Ludhiana, Punjab and further investigation into this case is under progress.

Chandigarh, January 26 – Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said after Independence, India has established its identity as a strong nation on the world stage. He said our leaders, farmers, labourers, artisans and scientists have made a significant contribution to this achievement by working tirelessly day and night to take the country forward. He added that Haryana has played an important role in the nation’s progress.

The Governor was addressing the Republic Day function as the Chief Guest at the Parade Ground, Sector-5, Panchkula, today. Prior to this, he unfurled the National Flag, inspected the parade and took the salute during the march-past. On this occasion, the Governor’s wife, Smt. Mitra Ghosh, was also present.

Extending warm greetings and best wishes to the people of the state and the district on the auspicious occasion of Republic Day, Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said that he also pays homage to the freedom fighters and martyrs whose sacrifices made this glorious day possible for us.

He said that on this very day our Constitution came into force, which granted us the fundamental rights of justice, liberty and equality. On this day, India became the world’s largest independent democratic republic. He said on this occasion he bows to the chief architect of the Constitution, Baba Saheb Dr. BR Ambedkar, and all the members of the Constituent Assembly. He said this historic day inspires us to build a strong nation and reminds us of those great personalities because of whom India became a republic. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai, Sardar Patel and Dr. Rajendra Prasad made immense sacrifices for the country’s freedom.

The Governor said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, India is progressing rapidly today. The country has successfully carried out missions such as Chandrayaan, Suryayaan and Mangalyaan. He said it gives him immense pride that the Freedom Struggle Memorial at Ambala, built in memory of the people of Haryana who played a role in the freedom movement, has been completed. Along with this, Haryana has also set new benchmarks in the fields of education, health and sports.

He said that it is a matter of pride that the youth of Haryana consider joining the armed forces an honour, which is why every tenth soldier in the Indian Army is from Haryana. He expressed gratitude to the brave soldiers who safeguard the nation’s borders. He said the state government has taken several important steps for the welfare of soldiers and their dependents. A separate Department of Sainik & Ardh Sainik Welfare has been constituted, and the assistance amount for soldiers martyred in war has been increased to Rs. 1 crore. Ten percent reservation in recruitment has been provided to Agniveers, and jobs have also been given to the dependents of the victims of the 1984 riots.

Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said the state government is working on the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Haryana Ek–Haryanvi Ek. With this vision, continuous efforts are being made for the development and welfare of Haryana and Haryanvis. He said that Haryana has progressed with harmony and balanced development, making people’s lives easier, safer and more convenient. Today, there is direct interaction between the public and the government, and the system has been simplified and made transparent through IT. As a result, benefits such as Shagun amount, pensions, BPL and Chirayu cards, and farmers’ crop payments are reaching eligible beneficiaries directly into their bank accounts with a single click.

Highlighting the government’s priorities, the Governor said that healthcare has been accorded top priority in Haryana. Free dialysis facilities are available for poor patients in all district hospitals, and citizens above 70 years of age are being provided Ayushman Bharat cards with coverage up to Rs. 10 lakh. Under the HAPPY scheme, poor families are being provided free travel up to 1,000 kilometres annually on Haryana Roadways buses. Similarly, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, nearly one lakh houses have been provided to poor families, and about 50,000 houses are under construction. Under the Chief Minister Housing Schemes, plots have been allotted to the poor in cities and villages, and the remaining plots will soon be allotted through a draw.

Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said through e-governance, the government has simplified and made transparent the system in every sector, including agriculture, education, health and employment, enabling people to avail benefits of schemes from their homes. In agriculture, under Meri Fasal Mera Byora and MSP procurement, the payment for crops is being transferred directly into farmers’ accounts within 48 hours. Farmers are also receiving compensation for crop loss, assistance amounts, and financial support under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme directly into their accounts. At the same time, indigenous cows, natural farming, animal husbandry and milk production are being encouraged. For better irrigation and water management, canals, wells and rainwater harvesting systems are being developed.

He said that to accelerate industrial development in Haryana, the government has established an Ease of Doing Business system. The process of issuing certificates and licences has been simplified and made online. He added that the government has implemented several schemes to provide government jobs to a large number of youths and to increase women’s participation.

The Governor said that through schemes such as old age honorarium, widow and disability pensions, Beti Bachao–Beti Padhao, and One Stop Centre Sakhi, women are receiving security and benefits. He said that Metropolitan Development Authorities have been constituted to develop Gurugram, Faridabad and Panchkula as smart cities. Along with this, rapid development of roads, rail and Rapid Rail projects is underway.

On this occasion, the Governor also called upon all present to pledge to work together to make the country and the state prosperous and developed by following our great cultural traditions and high moral values.

At the event, the Governor honoured the dependents of freedom fighters and the widows of army officers/soldiers who attained martyrdom in war by presenting shawls.

Earlier, the Governor paid floral tributes at the Shaheed Memorial in Sector-12 and offered homage to the brave martyrs of the nation.

Box

During the Republic Day celebrations, a magnificent march-past was presented under the leadership of Parade Commander Sh. Prateek Aggarwal, IPS, by contingents of Haryana Police Panchkula, Haryana Police Academy Madhuban, Rajasthan Police, Haryana Home Guards Panchkula, NCC Girls Senior Wing, NCC Boys Junior Division, Satluj Public School Sector-4, St. Soldier Public School Sector-16, Bhavan Vidyalaya Sector-15, and Scouts and Guides. In addition, Haryana Police Academy Madhuban presented a precise weapon drill, mass PT show and yoga display; Government Senior Secondary School Sector-6 and PM Shri Government Girls Senior Secondary School Sector-15 Panchkula presented PT shows; Government Adarsh Sanskriti Senior Secondary School Sector-20 Panchkula presented a dumbbell show; and Government Adarsh Sanskriti Senior Secondary School Sector-26 presented an impressive Surya Namaskar. The daredevil show by Haryana Police commandos left everyone amazed.

Patriotic and Haryanvi cultural performances by school children filled the atmosphere with the spirit of nationalism. Tableaux based on welfare schemes presented by various departments were also a major attraction.

Governor honours winners

In the tableaux competition, the tableau of the Forest Division Officer, Morni secured first place, the tableau of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Panchkula secured second place, and the tableau of the District Ayurveda Officer, Panchkula secured third place. In the parade competition, the Haryana Police Academy Madhuban police platoon secured first place, Rajasthan Police second place, and the ITBP Bhanu (Women) contingent third place. The Governor honoured the winners by presenting trophies. He also presented trophies to all school teams that gave outstanding performances during the ceremony and awarded commendation certificates to officers, employees, students, sportspersons and social workers for their excellent contributions.

The Governor appreciated the splendid cultural performances by school children and other participants and announced a one-day holiday on January 27 in all schools of Panchkula. He also announced leave with pay for police personnel and officers who participated in the parade.

Present on the occasion were Chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, Renu Bhatia, Director General of Police Ajay Singhal, former Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha Gian Chand Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Satpal Sharma, Police Commissioner Shibas Kaviraj, Deputy Commissioner of Police Srishti Gupta, Additional Director (Administration), Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Smt. Varsha Khangwal, former Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, State Vice President Banto Kataria, District President Ajay Mittal, along with other senior officers of the district administration and dignitaries.

Kurukshetra

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday asked the newly appointed district Congress Committee presidents of Haryana and Uttarakhand to work for strengthening the party at grass-root level. Addressing the 10-day-long ‘Sangathan Srijan’ organisational training camp for district presidents of the two states in Kurukshetra, Gandhi said that while the prevailing “empire of corrupt power” posed a major challenge, party workers must face these obstacles with courage and strengthen the organisation. They have to be brave and strengthen the organisation while facing the challenges. Gandhi emphasized, “No one can suppress your voice, because the strong organization of the Congress is standing with you.” Gandhi personally talked to each district president, discussed in detail, information was shared and suggestions were exchanged.

In his interaction with the district presidents, Gandhi said, “You have been given responsibility for your districts and you must discharge it fearlessly with a strong sense of duty. You are Congress warriors and you must work like warriors… The prevailing empire of corrupt power presents a significant challenge, but the party workers must tackle these obstacles with courage and further strengthen the organisation.”

“No one can silence your voice because a strong organisation like the Congress supports you. We will regularly evaluate your progress and provide guidance and support whenever needed,” he added.

It should be mentioned here that the Congress has organised a 10-day ‘Sangathan Srijan’ organisational training camp for district presidents of Haryana and Uttarakhand. Nearly 60 district presidents from Haryana and Uttarakhand have been attending the camp since January 13 at the Punjabi Dharamshala near the historic Brahma Sarovar.

Earlier, Rahul was received by Congress leaders at the Air Force Station in Ambala and they reached Punjabi Dharmashala by road. Rahul was accompanied by former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, MP Kumari Selja, Congress state incharge BK Hariprasad and Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Rao Narender Singh. All senior leaders, including Deepender Hooda, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Nirmal Singh, had reached Ambala Cantonment to welcome him. At the venue, he first interacted with the families of newly appointed district Congress presidents from both states before addressing the office-bearers in a closed session. Training programmes were restricted strictly to district presidents and selected organizational functionaries. The camp, which began on January 13 and would conclude on Thursday  is aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots structure and equipping district chiefs with organizational and electoral skills.

Chandigarh:

Under the visionary leadership and guidance of Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, the Security Wing of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, organised its 23rd Blood Donation Camp today on 21st January, 2026, on the eve of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti, at Zakir Hall, PGI, Chandigarh. The initiative was organised as a tribute to the ideals of patriotism, sacrifice and selfless service embodied by the great freedom fighter.

The camp was inaugurated by Prof. Radha Kant Ratho, Dean (Academics) and Prof. Ashok Kumar, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, and was conducted by a dedicated team of doctors from the Department of Transfusion Medicine, PGIMER. Senior officials of PGIMER, along with the Chief Engineer, U.T. Chandigarh, graced the occasion, interacted with volunteers and appreciated the efforts of the Security Wing for organising the camp as both a social responsibility and a patriotic gesture.

Prof. Radha Kant Ratho, Dean (Academics), PGIMER, while commending the initiative, stated:“Blood donation is the truest expression of service to the nation. Observing Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti through such a life-saving initiative reflects PGIMER’s deep commitment to humanitarian values, collective responsibility and nation-building beyond clinical care.”

Sharing the same sentiment, Prof. Ashok Kumar, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, remarked:“Remembering Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose through voluntary blood donation is a meaningful tribute to his ideals of courage, discipline and selfless service. Such initiatives not only save lives but also inspire our youth and healthcare community to uphold the spirit of compassion and national duty.”

The initiative was organised under the overall administrative stewardship of Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, whose consistent emphasis on patient-centric care, safety and community engagement continues to strengthen institutional outreach. Dr. Rajeev Chauhan from Deptt. of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care, PGIMER , through his strategic coordination and operational support, played a key role in facilitating seamless inter-departmental collaboration for the successful conduct of the camp.

The camp was conducted under the supervision of Sh. Gursharan Singh Korey, Chief Security Officer, PGI, with active support from officers and staff of the Security Wing. 510 volunteers from diverse fraternities—including doctors, nurses, technicians, students, security personnel, and officials from CRPF and CISF—participated enthusiastically and donated blood . Due to time constraints and medical reasons, 80–90 volunteers were deferred from donation.

Notably, 37 volunteers pledged for organ donation during the camp and were registered with the Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO), PGIMER, Chandigarh, further reinforcing PGIMER’s sustained advocacy for organ donation.

To motivate participants, officers of the Security Wing, PGI, and senior personnel from Police, CISF and CRPF led by example by donating blood first. Donors were provided refreshments and lunch, and gifts and mementos, sponsored by Trident India Group, State Bank of India, Swaraj Engines Limited, Sahwney Mathi Wale, Khandari Beverages Ltd., among others, were presented as a token of appreciation for their noble contribution.

Senior officials of PGIMER reiterated their appreciation for the Security Wing’s unwavering commitment to promoting voluntary blood donation and commemorating national icons through meaningful, service-driven initiatives.

Chandigarh, January 21:

Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij today took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his meeting in Kurukshetra with newly appointed district presidents of the Congress party. Anil Vij said that the entire country is well aware of Rahul Gandhi’s “expertise” — how many elections he has already caused his party to lose. Taking a sarcastic swipe, he remarked that “The knowledge Rahul Gandhi possesses, he has now come to pass on to his grassroots workers.” Sh.Vij added that this is an internal matter of the Congress party and the BJP has nothing to do with it.

The minister was speaking to mediapersons today.

*Democratic elections in BJP, ‘agency system’ in Opposition: Anil Vij explains the major difference between BJP and dynastic parties*

Reacting to the appointment of the BJP’s new National President, Energy Minister Anil Vij said that among all political parties in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party is the only one where leadership is chosen through a truly democratic process. He explained that the process begins with the formation of booth committees, followed by ward committees, district units, state units, and finally the election of the National President.

Taking a dig at Opposition parties, Anil Vij said that unlike dynastic and family-run parties—where leaders are pre-decided—the BJP follows a bottom-up approach. “Our leadership emerges from the grassroots, whereas in Opposition parties the system works top-down. Their high command decides state leaders, who in turn appoint district heads,” he said.

He compared this system to the distribution of agencies, where a company owner appoints state distributors who then appoint district dealers. “Other parties function exactly the same way,” he remarked. Anil Vij further stated that a party which lacks democracy within its own organization cannot be trusted to safeguard the democracy of 140 crore citizens of the country.

*Digvijaya Singh’s speaks in his sleep; RSS taught nationalism” : Vij*

Responding to Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s statement alleging that the RSS instills fear among Hindus while Owaisi does the same among Muslims, Anil Vij strongly countered the remark. He said that “Digvijaya Singh wakes up after long naps and keeps speaking in his sleep.” He asserted that the RSS has always worked to strengthen Hindu society and has instilled the values of nationalism and patriotism in its cadre. Sh. Anil Vij added that whenever a disaster strikes anywhere in the country, RSS volunteers are always the first to step forward to serve the people.

*Anil Vij’s jibe at Surjewala: “He only knows politics, not public welfare”*

Reacting to Congress leader Randeep Surjewala’s tweet claiming that the BJP government has become a punishment for BPL families in Haryana, Anil Vij hit back saying that Surjewala is well aware that no one’s legitimate rights are being taken away. He clarified that BPL benefits are meant for families with an annual income of up to Rs 1.80 lakh, a fact Surjewala knows very well.Taking a sharp jibe, Anil Vij said, “Surjewala only understands politics; he does not understand public welfare.”