Chandigarh, April 4 – Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, said that the state government is providing a subsidy of Rs. 4,000 per acre to farmers adopting Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) technology, which is the highest in the country.

He said that Haryana is a leading state in promoting sustainable rice cultivation. Unlike traditional transplanting methods that require excessive water, DSR eliminates the need for transplanting seedlings, resulting in significantly lower water consumption and labor costs, said the Minister while speaking at a programme organized in Kurukshetra.

The programme was organised by the Agriculture Department in collaboration with Savannah Seeds to promote water-conservation-based farming. During this detailed discussions  were held regarding the benefits and challenges of adopting DSR. Officers of the Farmers and Agriculture Department from various districts participated in the event.

Sh. Shyam Singh Rana also shared the  details about the state government’s schemes that assist farmers in transitioning toward sustainable agriculture. He emphasized that water conservation is a key concern for Haryana’s farmers. The government is committed to promoting DSR as a viable alternative by providing financial assistance, training, and access to advanced seed technologies, said the Minister.

He further said that paddy is a major Kharif crop in Haryana, and farmers face challenges such as declining groundwater levels and rising labour costs. Traditional paddy farming requires approximately 3,000–4,000 liters of water per kilogram of rice produced, making it a highly water-intensive process. Keeping this in mind, the state government is actively promoting DSR to conserve water and enhance agricultural efficiency.

CEO and MD of Savannah Seeds and Chairman of the Federation of Seed Industry of India, Sh. Ajay Rana emphasized the role of technology in ensuring the success of DSR.

Chandigarh, April 4 – Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi reviewed the preparations for the upcoming CDS Examination-I, 2025, and NDA and NA Examination-I, 2025, scheduled to be held on April 13 in Faridabad and Gurugram districts.

The Chief Secretary stated that 12 examination centres have been set up in Faridabad and 27 in Gurugram. He directed officials to ensure adequate security arrangements at all examination centres, especially at the entrance gate, rear gate and parking. No disturbances or protests should be allowed near the examination venues. Additionally, proper security should be in place for the transportation of sensitive examination materials. At least 10 police personnel, including women personnel, should be deployed at each examination centre.

Sh. Rastogi emphasized that candidates and examination officials should not face any inconvenience in commuting. Sufficient buses should be arranged for their transportation. Adequate power supply must also be ensured at all centres for a hassle-free examination process.

He further stated that the use of mobile phones, bluetooth devices, and other IT/communication equipment is strictly prohibited at the examination centres. To strengthen security measures, jammers are being installed at all venues. Examination officials should be adequately sensitized to ensure a fair and smooth examination process, he added.

DGP Sh. Shatrujeet Kapur, Managing Director, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd, Sh. A. Sreenivas, Special Secretary, Monitoring & Coordination, Dr. Priyanka Soni, Commissioner of Police, Faridabad, Sh. SK Gupta, Commissioner of Police, Gurugram, Sh. Vikas Kumar Arora, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, April 4 – Haryana Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Mr. Rajesh Nagar said that following the death of Keshav’s family in village Yara of Kurukshetra district, strict action has been ordered against the accused in the case involving intimidation, threats, snatching of cash and jewellery by relatives. In addition, action will be taken against the Station House Officer (SHO) of Shahbad police station for negligence, despite the complaint being filed. The matter will now be investigated by CIA-2, and the  SDM of Shahbad and the ASP will also conduct a special investigation.  Minister has also directed that police personnel be assigned temporarily for Keshav’s security.

Mr. Rajesh Nagar made these statements during the monthly meeting of the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee in Kurukshetra today. During the meeting, the Minister resolved 3 out of 5 old complaints and 11 out of 12 new complaints on the spot.

Addressing Keshav’s complaint, the Minister reassured him, stating that there was no need to fear anyone. He encouraged Keshav to directly contact him on his mobile if he faced any further threats or intimidation. The Minister also provided Keshav with his personal contact number for direct communication.

Speaking to journalists, the Minister said that strict action would be taken against any officer who fails to attend a meeting without prior notice.

Chandigarh, April 4 – On the occasion of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s birth anniversary on April 14, Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the third unit of the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant in Yamunanagar.

Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, the Commissioner and Secretary, Development & Panchayats and Information, Public Relations, Languages & Culture departments, Dr. Amit Agrawal,  inspected the venue located near village Kail, located on the Panchkula–Saharanpur Highway in Yamunanagar district on Friday.

During this he issued necessary directions to the officers concerned for the programme. Following the inspection, he held a meeting with all district officers in the conference hall of the district secretariat.

Divulging further details, Dr. Amit Agrawal shared that on April 14, 2025, Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of a new 800 MW power generation unit to be established at the Yamunanagar Thermal Power Plant. He will also address a public gathering on the occasion.

Dr. Agrawal  further shared that a large number of people are expected to attend the event; therefore, designated routes for parking, helipads, and vehicles should be clearly marked to ensure smooth traffic management and facilitate easy access to the rally venue for attendees.

He directed the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department to complete the work related to the stage, pandal, and parking on time.  Besides this, the Executive Engineer of the Public Health Engineering  Department should also ensure arrangements for clean drinking water and sanitation facilities, directed Dr. Agrawal.

Dr. Agrawal further shared that the establishment of the new unit will not only boost power generation in the state but also create employment opportunities for the youth. He further informed that an exhibition will be organized at the event to inform about the government’s public welfare policies. Separate parking arrangements will be made at different locations for vehicles, said Dr. Agrawal.

On this occasion, Commissioner Ambala Division , Sh. Anshaj Singh, Managing Director, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited Sh. Ashok Meena,  Deputy Commissioner Yamunanagar,  Sh. Parth Gupta, Additional Director (Admn.), Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Smt. Varsha Khangwal, and officers from other departments, were also present.

Chandigarh, April 4

To combat drug addiction in Haryana, the state-level Drug-Free Haryana Cyclothon 2.0 campaign will kick off from Hisar on April 5. The campaign will be inaugurated by Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

An official spokesperson shared details about the event, stating that the route for the cyclothon has been mapped from Gate No. 1 of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar, to Fletcher Bhawan (the HAU Administrative Block). He added that the Hisar district administration has completed all necessary preparations for the successful execution of the state-level event.

The spokesperson further said that the journey will begin in Hisar and continue through Bhiwani district. This cyclothon is more than just an event; it marks the beginning of a social movement, with participation from thousands of youth, students, police, army personnel, and members of NCC, NSS, and various community groups. This event is expected to be a historic step towards making Haryana drug-free.

The spokesperson also said that over 43,000 cyclists from Hisar district have already registered for the cyclothon, and the number is continuing to grow. This overwhelming participation is on track to set a new record. The event tomorrow will serve as a powerful source of energy and inspiration for the entire state.

The cyclothon, which starts in Hisar, will conclude on April 27 in Sirsa, passing through several districts of the state along the way. On its first day, the journey will move from Hisar towards Bhiwani and pass through Ladwa, Sultanpur, Umra, Ratera, Dhani Kirwar, Tosham, Sagban and Bapodra.

Chandigarh, April 4- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has appealed to the people of the state to work towards making Haryana green, prosperous, and clean. 

The Chief Minister participated as a Chief Guest in a programme organised at Kamdhenu Gaushala Seva Sadan in Pinjore, Panchkula district, and offered his services at the Gaushala. He inaugurated the compressed biogas plant made from cow dung and laid the foundation for a cow cremation center and a new shed. He also announced a grant of Rs. 21 lakh to the Kamdhenu Gaushala Seva Sadan. 

The Chief Minister appealed to the people of Haryana to make the state green, prosperous and clean.

He said that earlier, Haryana had only 215 Gaushalas with around 1,074 cattle. Since the BJP government took charge, the number of registered Gaushalas has increased to 650, in which about 4 lakh cows and Nandi are being taken care of. The State government has also significantly increased the budget from Rs. 2 crore to Rs. 595 crore. 

The Chief Minister said that thousands of cows are safe in the gau abhyarans (cow sanctuaries) in Panipat, Hisar, and Panchkula. The government has allocated Rs. 270 crore as a grant for cattle fodder, and in the last financial year, Rs. 166 crore was given to 608 Gaushalas for the same.

*State government is working on various plans to support cow welfare*

He also stated that the government is working on various plans to support cow welfare. The land designated for grazing will be provided to Gaushalas to grow fodder for cattle. The Prime Minister is serious about cows and the government of India has also implemented

*Gobar-Dhan Yojana to support such initiatives*

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the government has set a target of practicing natural farming on 1 lakh acres of land in this financial year and encouraged farmers to adopt natural farming methods.  State government is taking strict measures to protect cattle, including imposing a 10-year prison sentence for cow slaughter and a 7-year sentence for cattle smuggling, Chief Minister added.

He appreciated the efforts of Kamdhenu Gaushala Seva Sadan for  making organic pesticides and other products from cow dung and urine, benefiting agriculture.

*Gaushalas in the state should become self-reliant*

He also said the need for all Gaushalas to become self-reliant by producing items like paint, pots, phenyl, hand washers, bio-coal, soap, and other products. 

Gita Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji expressed happiness over the Chief Minister’s visit to the Gaushala during the Navratri festival and praised the government’s commitment to cow protection.

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, said that the government has implemented several schemes for Gaushala. There are 650 registered gaushala in the state, all of which are being provided adequate supported under the state government’s schemes. 

The Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana also announced a grant of Rs.11 lakh for the Kamdhenu Gaushala Seva Sadan.

MLA, Kalka, Smt. Shakti Rani Sharma, Mayor, Panchkula, Sh. Kulbhushan Goyal, Chairman, Haryana Gau Seva Aayog, Sh. Sarvan Garg and other dignitaries also remained present. 

Chandigarh, April 4:

Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains congratulated students of class VIII of the Punjab School Education Board on their remarkable results, announced today.  A total of 2,90,471 students appeared for the 8th class Board examination, with 282,627 students being promoted to the 9th class, resulting in a remarkable pass percentage of 97.30%. This achievement highlights the dedication and hard work of the students, teachers and parents.

The Education Minister expressed happiness and contentment over the outstanding feat of Puneet Verma and Navjot Kaur for securing 100% marks. These students secured first and second positions, respectively.

Notably, Puneet was a student of Shri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Chief Khalsa Diwan, Model Town, Hoshiarpur and Navjot Kaur was a student of Sant Mohan Das Memorial Senior Secondary School, Kot Sukhia, in Faridkot.

Wishing the promoted students all the best for the future, S. Bains motivated the other students to work harder and follow the toppers.

Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government is pulling all stops to raise the standards of the school education to a world-class level. These results are a reflection of our government’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education. The Punjab School Education Board’s efforts, combined with the dedication of educators and students, have created a supportive and inclusive learning environment that fostering an academic excellence.

CHANDIGARH, April 2:

          In a significant move to prevent document fraud and enhance security as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has launched a QR code-based authentication system for Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs). The initiative aims to provide a secure and reliable method for verifying the authenticity of PCCs, which are often required for employment, visas, and other official purposes.

          Divulging details, Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Community Affairs Division said that under the new system, each Police Clearance Certificate issued will feature a unique QR code. When scanned, this code will direct users to a secure online copy of the certificate, hosted on official Punjab Police servers (https://certificate.ppsaanjh.in), enabling instant and accurate authentication. This added layer of security eliminates the risk of counterfeit PCCs, ensuring that only legitimate certificates are recognised by employers and authorities.

          The police have also issued a cautionary note, advising users to verify that official website (https://certificate.ppsaanjh.in) is connected for downloading the PCC upon scanning the QR code.

Chandigarh, April 2 – Haryana Excise and Taxation Department has achieved a significant milestone in revenue collection for the Financial Year 2024-25, surpassing its budget target. Against the allocated target of Rs 61,950 Crore, the Department successfully collected Rs 63,371 Crore, achieving 102.3% of the set target.

Sharing the information here today, an official spokesperson informed that SGST collections reached Rs 39,153 Crore, exceeding the budget target of Rs 37,500 Crore and registering an impressive 13.77% growth over the previous year (excluding cess). Similarly, Excise Duty collections stood at Rs 12,701 Crore, surpassing the budget target of Rs 12,650 Crore and marking a 12% increase from the previous year.

Meanwhile, VAT and CST collections amounted to Rs 11,517 Cr, reflecting a 1.6% increase over last year’s figures. This outstanding performance in revenue generation underscores the department’s commitment to efficient tax administration, policy reforms, and economic growth, he added.

Chandigarh, April 2 – Haryana Public Health Engineering and Public Works Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said the department has made a special plan for the repair of Haryana’s roads. Special action will be taken on this issue in the next 6 months and along with this, the network of roads in the state will be strengthened so that the public can travel better and easier.

While talking to the media, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said an action plan has been made to repair about 6300 km of roads under the Public Works Department (PWD). The work will be done through special tenders.

It is noteworthy that during the budget session, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini had announced in the House that within the next 6 months, all the roads will be repaired as per the requirement. Sh. Gangwa gave instructions to the department officials to prepare a special plan to implement the Chief Minister’s announcement on the ground.

He said the government is working keeping in mind the convenience of the general public and the department is trying to provide better and high quality roads to commuters. Special instructions have been given to department officials that there will be no compromise on quality. Regarding the preparations to be made for drinking water in the summer season, he said all arrangements have been completed for this, and instructions have also been given to the officials of the concerned department to make alternative arrangements.

Sh. Gangwa said a triple engine government is working in the state under the leadership of the Chief Minister and the government’s effort is to make such schemes which benefit the public.

Important decisions taken in meeting of High Powered Purchase Committee

A meeting of the High Powered Purchase Committee for Public Health Engineering Department was held at the Chandigarh Secretariat on Wednesday. Three agendas were placed in the meeting of the Departmental High Powered Purchase Committee (DHPPC) chaired by Sh. Ranbir Gangwa and Education Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda.

During the meeting, the committee interacted with the companies involved in the process regarding the purchase of bleaching powder, poly aluminum chloride and stainless steel skin. During this, two agendas worth Rs 4.41 crore for poly aluminum chloride and stainless steel skin were approved. Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said the objective of the government is that the public should get high quality facilities.