Chandigarh, June 27 -In the meeting of the High Powered Purchase Committee (HPPC), and High Powered Works Purchase Committee (HPWPC) held here today under the chairmanship of Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, approval was granted for contracts and procurement of various goods worth over Rs 718 crores . Following negotiations with various bidders, the committees succeeded in saving over Rs 26 crores by finalizing reduced rates during the meeting.

Cabinet Ministers Sh Mahipal Dhanda, Sh Vipul Goyal, Sh Shyam Singh Rana, Sh Ranbir Gangwa and Smt Shruti Choudhry were present in the meeting.

During the meeting, contracts worth approximately Rs 132 crore were approved for the manufacturing and supply of transmission line towers, sub-station structures, HT underground cables, and related components by Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam for the financial year 2024–25. In addition , approval was also granted for strengthening the distribution infrastructure to reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in the Naraingarh Division of Ambala District. The project is estimated to cost approximately Rs 53.86 crore.

During the meeting, approval was granted for the purchase of approximately 220 lakh doses of the FMD+HS dual vaccine by the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department, aimed at preventing foot-and-mouth and hemorrhagic septicemia diseases in cattle. The total cost of the procurement is estimated at Rs 73.45 crore. It was informed in the meeting that Haryana is currently free from both diseases, and regular vaccination campaigns are conducted to maintain this status. The vaccination is administered twice a year, at six-month intervals.

Projects worth over Rs 127 crore of GMDA approves

During the meeting, the project to further improve the quality of purified water by upgrading the existing 120 MLD STP at Berhampur was also approved. This project is expected to cost approximately Rs 33.88 crore. Additionally, the meeting approved the upgradation of the existing 100 MLD STP in Gurugram city and the establishment of a 75 MLD tertiary treatment plant, with a  estimated cost of Rs 51.34 crore.

Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini directed that greater efforts be made to increase the utilization of treated water. He emphasized that treated water should be supplied to industries according to their requirements to reduce the consumption of clean water and curb groundwater extraction.

The meeting also approved the purchase and maintenance of non-medical equipment worth Rs 26.95 crore for Shri Sheetla Mata Devi Medical College, located in Sector 102A, Kherki Majra, Gurugram. Additionally, the relocation of recycled water pipelines at various locations along the Dwarka Expressway was also approved at an estimated cost of Rs 14.90 crore.

The projects of the Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority were also approved in the meeting. Pipelines will be laid to improve the water supply in Faridabad, which will significantly benefit the NIT and Ballabhgarh areas. This project is estimated to cost approximately 13.85 crore rupees. Additionally, approval was granted for the cleaning and maintenance of the master sewerage and drain lines in Faridabad city, with a project cost of Rs 21.35 crore. Furthermore, a bus depot will be constructed in Sector-61 of Faridabad to support electric buses under the city bus service, including a provision for a charging station. This project received approval for Rs 18.48 crore.

Additionally, the construction of a Girls’ Hostel at Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences in Rohtak at a cost of Rs 23.64 crore, a 100-bed Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) block at the Civil Hospital campus in Sonepat district at a cost of approximately Rs 49 crore, and a 100-bed MCH at the SHKM Government Medical College campus in Nalhar, Nuh district, at a cost of Rs 27.95 crore were also approved.

 In the meeting, several infrastructure projects were approved, including the construction of a ROB on the Jind-Panipat railway section and the Delhi-Ambala section in Panipat district; the extension of the existing two-lane ROB to four-lane ROB at  level crossing (LC) 575B on the Mumbai-Delhi railway line on the Ballabhgarh-Pali-Dhauj-Sohna road in Ballabhgarh; and the construction of a RUB at LC number 576 on the Delhi-Mathura railway line, crossing Delhi-Mathura road to Mujesar in Faridabad district. These projects will cost approximately 109 crore rupees.

Principal Advisor Urban Development Sh DS Dhesi, Additional Chief Secretary of School Education Department Sh Vineet Garg, Additional Chief Secretary Irrigation and Water Resources Department Sh Anurag Aggarwal, Commissioner and Secretary-I Finance Department Mohammed Shayin, Director General of Supply and Disposal Department Sh Pankaj, besides administrative secretaries of the concerned departments were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, June 26 :

The Election Commission of India (ECI), under the Chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, has started proceedings for the delisting of 345 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) which have failed to fulfil the essential condition of contesting even a single election for the last six years since 2019 and the offices of these parties could not be physically located anywhere. These 345 RUPPs are from different States and UTs across the country.

It has come to the notice of the Commission that of the over 2,800 RUPPS, currently registered with ECI, many RUPPs have failed to fulfil the essential conditions which are required to continue as an RUPP. Thus, a nationwide exercise was conducted by the ECI to identify such RUPPs and 345 such RUPPs have already been identified till now. In order to ensure that no party is unduly de-listed, the CEOs of the respective States/UTs have been directed to issue show-cause notices to such RUPPs following which, these parties will be given an opportunity through a hearing by the concerned CEOs. The final decision regarding the de-listing of any RUPP shall be taken by the Election Commission of India.

Political parties (National/State/RUPPs) in the country are registered with the ECI under the provisions of Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act 1951. Under this provision, any association once registered as a political party, gets certain privileges and advantages such as tax exemptions amongst others.

This exercise has been conducted with the aim of cleaning up the political system and de-listing of such parties which have not contested any election to Lok Sabha or Legislative Assemblies of States/UTs or bye-elections since 2019 and those which could not be physically traced as well. These 345 RUPPs have been identified in the first phase of this exercise, which shall be continued with the objective of cleaning up the political system.

Chandigarh, June 25, 2025: On the occasion marking 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency in India on June 25, 1975, Hon’ble Governor of Haryana, Shri Bandaru Dattatraya, issued a poignant reflection on one of the most turbulent chapters in India’s democratic journey.

Recalling it as “the darkest day in the history of independent India,” Governor Shri Dattatraya underlined the widespread curtailment of civil liberties and democratic rights during the 21-month period of Emergency.

He emphasized that the move to suspend democracy was triggered by the political unrest following the Allahabad High Court’s verdict invalidating then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s 1971 election due to electoral malpractice. The decision sparked nationwide protests and mass mobilizations led by stalwarts like Jayaprakash Narayan.

In his statement, Governor Shri Dattatraya highlighted the severe economic hardships and political repression of the time. “Over one lakh citizens were detained under preventive detention laws like MISA and DIR. The press was muzzled, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was banned, and voices of dissent – be it political leaders, journalists, or students – were silenced,” he noted.

Hon’ble Governor Shri Dattatraya, who was then an RSS Pracharak in the Nizamabad and Adilabad region (then Andhra Pradesh, now Telangana), recounted his personal experiences of resisting the Emergency. “To evade arrest, I changed my name to Dharmendra and went underground, donning western clothes. Along with other volunteers, I distributed underground bulletins to inform citizens and support families of detained leaders,” he recalled.

Despite efforts to remain anonymous, he was eventually arrested in Bellampally and jailed under MISA at Chanchalguda Central Jail in Hyderabad. There, he shared space with individuals from varied ideological backgrounds – from future Union Ministers to activists and even Naxalites. “There was a silent camaraderie among all of us imprisoned unjustly. Our unity came from our common commitment to restoring democracy,” he said.

One memory that continues to inspire him was the optimism sparked by the 1977 election results. “The announcement that Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi were trailing was a turning point. The air in the jail was electric with hope,” he recounted, as he remembered his fellow inmate Advocate Raja Bose’s rendition of ‘Savere Wali Gaadi Se Chale Jayenge,’ sung in joy.

The Emergency, he said, shaped his life profoundly. “I emerged from prison with a new perspective on politics, democracy, and public service. I learnt the importance of standing firm for constitutional values and of nurturing democratic institutions.”

Governor Shri Dattatraya urged the people of India, especially the youth, to stay vigilant and protect the democratic ethos of the nation. “Our democracy has withstood severe tests, thanks to the resilience of our people. Let us never forget the sacrifices made and ensure that such a chapter is never repeated,” he concluded.

He reiterated the importance of further strengthening all four pillars of democracy – the legislature, executive, judiciary, and the media – to ensure that India remains a vibrant, free, and fair society.

Chandigarh, June 25 – Haryana Health and Family Welfare Minister Arti Singh Rao met with citizens at her official residence in Chandigarh, where she  listened to the concerns and grievances raised by the public regarding health services and other issues.

During the interaction, the Minister assured the people that their problems would be addressed on priority and instructed the concerned departmental officers to take immediate and effective action. She emphasized the importance of responsiveness and accountability in the health system, directing officials to resolve each issue within the defined time frame.

Arti Singh Rao reiterated the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring that citizens receive timely, transparent, and quality services. “The government is committed to ensuring that healthcare services reach every corner of Haryana. No grievance should go unheard or unresolved. Our aim is to deliver prompt, transparent, and efficient services to every citizen,” the Minister added.

Chandigarh, June 25– Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini while launching a scathing  attack on the opposition, saying that Undermining the core values of the Constitution is in the DNA of the Congress, even though they pretend to be its protectors. Even today, they attempt to disrespect the Constitution by giving statements such as restoring Article 370 if they come to power, he said.

The Chief Minister said that unlike Congress, under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, the country has been governed in accordance with the Constitution for the past 11 years since 2014, and people have witnessed a truly independent India.

The Chief Minister was addressing the Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, program held  in Karnal on Wednesday, marking the 50th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency– a dark chapter in Indian democracy.

Atrocities were committed on the public to fulfill political motives

The Chief Minister said that June 25 reminds us of how, at midnight, the government imposed Emergency, and innocent citizens were arrested and tortured. The brutality still sends chills down our spines. The decision was made purely to fulfill the political will of those in power, driven by arrogance, thinking “only I matter, no one else.” It was a deliberate conspiracy where the sacred Constitution was crushed for personal gain. Not once during the Emergency was the Constitution or democracy remembered. Writers and leaders who dared to raise their voices were jailed to prevent dissent, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. 

He added that when India gained independence, there were 562 princely states, and the responsibility of unifying them was given to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who succeeded in doing so. However, only one princely state was entrusted to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and the consequences are well known to all, said the Chief Minister. 

Those claiming to defend the Constitution never truly respected it

The Chief Minister said that Congress never respected the Constitution. Their “Yuvraj” (referring to Rahul Gandhi) once stood in Parliament, the temple of democracy and tore up a bill, insulting the Constitution. The generations of those who now talk of defending the Constitution never respected it. Due to Congress’s flawed policies, people suffered greatly, and today, the public has decisively rejected them, he said.

Prime Minister fulfilled Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s dream of One Nation, One Constitution, One Flag

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that back then, the government implemented a permit system to enter Jammu and Kashmir. Their intention was clearly to separate the region from the rest of the country. But Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee opposed this permit system, declaring that there would be no two heads of state, no two flags in India. He launched a movement and entered Jammu and Kashmir without a permit, for which he sacrificed his life. The Chief Minister further shared that only then was the permit system abolished. Still, for many years, two constitutions, two heads, and two flags continued. Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi abolished Article 370 and fulfilled Dr. Mookerjee’s dream of one Constitution, one head of state, and one national flag, he said.

Prime Minister is committed to building the India of freedom fighters’ dreams by 2047

The Chief Minister said that after independence, India did not progress at the speed it should have. A clear contrast can be seen between the 55 years of Congress rule and the 11 years of development under Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi. But Congress refuses to acknowledge this difference and continues to wave around the Constitution for political drama, he said.

The Chief Minister said that under the Prime Minister’s leadership, India has transformed and is moving ahead rapidly. The country is now aligning with the dreams of the great freedom fighters. The Prime Minister has taken a pledge that by the time India celebrates 100 years of independence in 2047, it will be a developed nation. Achieving this vision will require the contribution of every citizen, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

Democracy is not just about winning elections; it is a way of life, a value system

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini emphasized that democracy is not limited to winning elections or forming governments, it is a way of life and a value system. He urged elders to inform young generations about the Emergency declared on June 25, 1975. He said that since 2014, we have had the opportunity to celebrate the birth anniversaries of our national heroes, allowing us to remember their sacrifices for the nation and humanity and to pass these stories on to the coming generations.

The Chief Minister said that today’s event is not just about reflecting on the past, it is an opportunity to prepare for the future. We must build a future where democracy thrives, the flame of freedom continues to burn, and India remains a strong and vibrant democracy on the global stage, he said.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also visited the exhibition organized by the Department of Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture and planted a sapling in the Kalpana Chawla Medical College campus.

MLA Sh. Yogender Rana, Sh. Bhagwan Dass Kabirpanthi, Karnal Mayor, Smt. Renu Bala Gupta, Sardar Tarlochan Singh, and other dignitaries were present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, June 25 – Financial Commissioner Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, said that the State Government will modernize all registration offices across the state by restructuring them on the model of Passport Seva Kendras. This initiative underscores Chief Minister, Sh, Nayab Singh Saini’s commitment to ease-of-doing-property-transactions for citizens.

She stated this while reviewing the working of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. Dr. Misra said that the initiative will be rolled out in a phased manner, starting with high-density and high-transaction districts such as Panchkula, Gurugram, and Faridabad. She stressed that this transformation is not limited to infrastructure improvements but is part of a broader plan to strengthen service delivery, boost transparency, and increase accountability within the revenue administration.

Dr. Misra said that this new model will include citizen-centric features such as online slot booking, well-equipped waiting areas, real-time digital display systems, and dedicated helpdesks. Signage and information will be made available in local languages to further assist citizens. To address persistent issues of slow server response during registration activities, particularly at sub-divisional and tehsil levels, Dr. Misra directed the establishment of two state-level Revenue Data Centres with a storage capacity of 2 petabytes each. She directed officers to float tenders for the same within the next 10 days.

While reviewing the Haryana Large Scale Mapping Project, Dr. Misra instructed officers to complete the Tatima updation across all districts by the end of August. She stated that this exercise is crucial for accurate land demarcation and for facilitating faster and dispute-free registrations. These steps are part of the state’s broader vision to promote digital governance, improve citizen services, and ensure a corruption-free and transparent property registration system.

She apprised that till date, 418 out of 440 pilot villages (95%) across 22 districts have successfully completed their Tatima updation. This represents a substantial leap forward in land records modernization and a strong increase from the 380 villages reported on May 8, 2025, reflecting the addition of 38 villages in just over a month. Several districts have achieved 100% Tatima updation of their allotted pilot villages. These include Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Panchkula, Panipat, Rohtak, Sirsa, and Sonipat. Gurugram also showed progress, leading in new additions with 11 new villages reaching 80% completion. The efforts have resulted in a significant increase in processed records, with a total of 3,53,680 Tatima records completed as of June 25, marking an increase of 23,005 records since May 8.

Chandigarh, 25 June – Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini stated that “Samvidhan Hatya Diwas” serves as a solemn reminder that the arrogance of power and nepotism are among the biggest threats to democracy. He emphasized that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and it is our paramount duty to uphold and protect it. Any action that undermines or violates its core principles cannot and should not be ignored.

Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini was addressing a press conference held in Karnal today to mark Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. He paid tribute to the brave heroes who stood up against dictatorship during the Emergency, noting that they endured imprisonment and torture but never surrendered their principles. “Today, I salute all those heroes who raised their voices for democracy,” he added.

People were jailed and tortured during the Emergency

Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that the country is observing ‘Samvidhan Hatya Diwas’ to mark 50 years since the Emergency was imposed. On June 25, 1975, the soul of the Constitution was attacked when the Emergency was declared, putting our democratic values in danger. Although it was claimed that there was an internal crisis, the real reason was a personal desire to stay in power.

For the next 21 months, the country was under dictatorship. Many people who believed in democracy were put in jail and tortured. Sh Saini said that the purpose of observing Samvidhan Hatya Diwas is to remind people especially the younger generation about the importance of democracy, and to keep everyone aware and alert about protecting our democratic system.

Haryana’s people played a key role in the struggle

He said the Emergency was not only a constitutional crisis but also an assault on the process of democracy which guarantees freedom of expression, equality and justice. It was also an attack on the ideas of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, who gave the slogan “One Nation – One Constitution” and sacrificed his life for this cause. The Chief Minister said that the people of Haryana also stood strong in this struggle. Many people had sacrificed everything to protect democracy.

Hypocrisy of saving the constitution without true respect

The Chief Minister said that some people are going around holding the Constitution’s book, but this is just hypocrisy when it comes to truly protecting it. These same people claim that the Constitution, written by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, is under threat. Yet, there was a time when their own party openly destroyed the Constitution under the cover of darkness. He added that those whose political predecessors imposed dictatorship on the country, suppressed the press, jailed leaders, and carried out forced sterilization cannot honestly claim to be defenders of the Constitution and democracy today. Before giving speeches about democracy, they should admit their mistakes, accept responsibility for harming democracy, and apologize to the nation.

Their ‘Save Constitution’ slogan is just political opportunism and a hunger for power

Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that their slogan of ‘Save Constitution’ is merely a symbol of political opportunism and a hunger for power. In contrast, the present government, under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, is truly following the democratic spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’, with the Constitution held as supreme. Every action taken by the government aims to strengthen the Constitution. Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi has also emphasized that democratic values and the Constitution remain our highest priority.

 Congress misused Section 356 over 90 times to dismiss State Governments

He said that the party which crushed democracy during the Emergency is again trying to spread confusion in the society by invoking the Constitution. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi claimed that if the BJP returned to power, it would abolish the Constitution. However, the people of the country rejected these baseless claims and gave a strong mandate to the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi for the third consecutive time.

Sh Nayab Singh Saini pointed out that the history of the Congress party shows it upheld divisive policies like Article 370, misused Article 356 over 90 times to dismiss state governments, and amended the Constitution more than 75 times to serve its political interests. For them, the Constitution has never been an ideal but just a political tool. Whenever their power was threatened, they sacrificed the core values of the Constitution.

Prime Minister took historic steps to strengthen national unity and integrity

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Sh Amit Shah have set historic examples for the people from strengthening the unity and integrity of the country to protecting it from external threats. Whether it is fulfilling Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s dream of ‘One Nation – One Constitution’ stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari, or successfully eliminating terrorism and terrorists on Pakistani soil through ‘Operation Sindoor’, the whole world recognizes its strength and determination.

After the year 2014, the state government took several important decisions in honour of the Loktantra Senanis

Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that as soon as the government came to power in 2014, it began taking care of Loktantra Senanis in Haryana. The first ‘Loktantra Senani Samman Samaroh’ was organized in Rohtak on 26 June 2015. At that time, the government made many important announcements to honor the Loktantra Senanis. Following through on these promises, the government arranged medical facilities for Loktantra Senanis and their spouses, similar to those given to government employees. They also provided free travel in Haryana Roadways’ ordinary buses and a 75 percent fare waiver in Volvo buses.

He added that a monthly pension was also started for Loktantra Senanis, which has now been increased to Rs 20,000 per month. Currently, 501 Loktantra Senani and their widows in the state receive this pension, including 53 Loktantra Senani from Karnal district.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister appealed that everyone should take a pledge to always stay vigilant in protecting the Constitution and ensure that democracy is never threatened again. 

On this occasion, MLA Shri Yogendra Rana, Shri Bhagwan Das Kabirpanthi, Karnal Mayor Smt. Renu Bala Gupta, Chief Minister’s Media Secretary Shri Praveen Attre and other dignitaries were present.

Chandigarh, June 25: – Haryana’s Energy Minister Sh. Anil Vij clarified regarding electricity tariff rates, stating that the propaganda spread by some claiming that electricity bills have increased fourfold is entirely baseless and false. He emphasized that there has been no change in the electricity tariff for agricultural consumers. Similarly, monthly bills of domestic consumers with up to 2 kW connection have decreased by 49% to 75% compared to the financial year 2014-15, and most Category-2 consumers have also seen a reduction in their bills. He added that approximately 94% of electricity consumers fall under Category-1 and Category-2, and most of their bills have decreased.

Sh. Vij said that as per the revised electricity tariff structure, Minimum Monthly Charges (MMC) have been removed for all categories of domestic consumers, as Haryana’s DISCOMs are committed to providing continuous, uninterrupted, affordable, and consumer-focused power services. He noted that electricity tariffs in Haryana are significantly lower for both LT (Low Tension) and HT (High Tension) consumers compared to neighboring states.Over the last decade, from FY 2014-15 to FY 2024-25, AT&C (Aggregate Technical and Commercial) losses have been reduced from 29% to 10%, he said.

He mentioned that agricultural consumers in Haryana continue to receive electricity at 10 paise/unit (metered) and Rs. 15/BHP/month (flat rate) as before. Similarly, for metered connections, MMC has been reduced to Rs. 180 (up to 15 BHP) and Rs. 144 (above 15 BHP).

Sh. Vij said that under the revised tariff structure, Category-I domestic consumers (connected load up to 2 kW and monthly consumption up to 100 units) have seen a 49% to 75% reduction in their bills compared to the financial year 2014-15. When compared to the previous tariff structure (with MMC), the bill amounts have dropped significantly.

Additionally, for Category-II consumers (connected load up to 5 kW), there has been an increase of 3% to 9% in bills compared to FY 2024-25. However, compared to FY 2014-15, most consumers in this category have seen a reduction, with only a few slabs seeing an increase of less than 1%. Around 94% of total domestic consumers fall under Category-I and II, Sh. Vij said.

For Category-III consumers, there has been an increase of 5% to 7% compared to FY 2024-25. For lower consumption levels in this category, the percentage increase may appear larger, but only 6% of domestic consumers fall under this category, he added.

Sh. Vij stated that electricity bills should be compared with the same month of the previous year, as it reflects a similar consumption pattern. In Haryana, the fixed charges for the domestic category range from Rs. 0 to Rs. 75/kW, and the highest energy slab remains at Rs. 7.50/unit, whereas neighboring states charge fixed fees up to Rs. 110/kW and energy charges up to Rs. 8/unit. The rates for FY 2025-26 show only a marginal increase compared to FY 2024-25 and FY 2014-15, with a decrease for Category-I consumers, showing an overall increase of less than 9.6% compared to 2014-15.

The Energy Minister said that for HT consumers, the tariff revision from FY 2024-25 to FY 2025-26 shows a moderate increase of 7% to 10% depending on load and consumption. In the LT category, the increase among various consumers is relatively moderate, ranging from 4% to 7%.

Compared to neighboring states, Haryana charges significantly lower electricity tariffs for both LT and HT consumer categories, making it a cost-effective option. In neighboring states, fixed charges go up to Rs. 450/kW for LT and Rs. 475/kW for HT, while energy charges go up to Rs. 8.95/unit for LT and Rs. 7.75/unit for HT.

It is worth noting that according to the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission’s order dated March 28, 2025, the electricity rates have been revised for different categories from April 2025, based on the tariff petition of the Haryana DISCOMs. This is the first tariff hike since FY 2017-18, after a gap of seven years, despite rising power purchase and operational costs.

Notably, keeping tariffs unchanged for almost a decade was made possible by improved operational efficiency and strict financial discipline. 

Chandigarh, June 23 2025:

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing drive against corruption, has arrested Nishan Singh, block Samiti Patwari, posted at Block Development and Panchayats Officer (BDPO) office, Gurdsapur for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 20000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the arrest has been made following a complaint lodged by a resident of village Babari Nangal, in Gurdaspur.

The complainant has approached the VB and stated that she is the current Panchayat member of Gram Panchayat Babri Nangal and her husband had been cultivating about 22 kanals and 11 marlas of shamlat land out of total 25 acres of land for the last 50 years and the land title (Girdawari) of this land is also registered in his name.

She further stated that on the basis of a complaint, the BDPO office had asked her to submit a clarification in this regard. She requested the current Sarpanch of her village to resolve this issue but the said Nishan Singh Samiti Patwari has demanded a bribe of Rs. 20,000 to get the issue resolved through his department.

The spokesperson informed that after a preliminary verification of this complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused Nishan Singh has been arrested red handed while he was accepting a bribe Rs 20,000 from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Amritsar range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation is underway, he said.

CHANDIGARH, June 22:

          With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state completed 113 days, Punjab Police on Sunday arrested 151 drug smugglers and recovered 533 grams heroin, 2.8 kg opium and Rs 5.32 lakh drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 18,719 in just 113 days.

          The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.

          Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

          Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 200 Police teams, comprising over 1500 police personnel, under the supervision of 99 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 523 locations across the state leading to the registration of 98 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 502 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.

          The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 54 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.