Chandigarh, April 1 – A delegation from the Haryana State Cold Storage Association met Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini today and expressed their gratitude for his decision to transition the cold storage market fee system from a lump sum to a slab-based structure and also reducing the slab rate as per their storing capacity.

The implementation of the slab-based lump-sum fee system and also reducing the slab rate as per their storing capacity will provide significant relief to small and medium cold storage operators. Under the new system, fees will be based on their storage capacity, which will not only ease the burden on smaller operators but also encourage new investors and entrepreneurs to enter the sector.

It is worth noting that the Haryana State Cold Storage Association had met with Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini to highlight the challenges posed by the lump sum market fee system. The Chief Minister listened attentively to the association’s representatives and assured them that the issue would be addressed promptly. By amending the market fee system to better align with the industry’s needs, the Chief Minister has demonstrated his government’s commitment to supporting the trade, industry, and agriculture sectors. Under his leadership, the Haryana Government has made several key decisions aimed at promoting transparency and fostering entrepreneurship in trade policies, and this is one such significant step.

The representatives of the Cold Storage Association expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister, highlighting that this decision reflects his trade- and agriculture-friendly approach. They emphasized that the state government’s move will not only provide relief to small and medium cold storage operators but will also help expand cold storage services across the state. This expansion will offer farmers better facilities for storing their crops, thereby strengthening the agriculture sector.

On this occasion, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh Shyam Singh Rana, Additional Chief Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department Sh Raja Sekhar Vundru, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Saket Kumar, Chief Administrator of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board Sh Mukesh Kumar Ahuja, C.M.E.O. Board Sh Sunil Sharma, President of the Association Sh Baldev Raj Sethi, and other representatives were also present.

Chandigarh April 1: Dr. Prem Singh officially assumed the charge of Director General of the Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department, Haryana, today. Prior to this, Dr. Singh served as the Joint Director at the department’s headquarters and brings with him extensive experience, having held several key positions within the department.

Dr. Prem Singh’s extensive knowledge and commitment to the welfare of the animal husbandry and dairy sector are poised to drive significant improvements and advancements in Haryana’s agricultural and rural development. His leadership is expected to strengthen initiatives and projects focused on promoting sustainable growth within the sector.

Chandigarh, April 1 – Haryana Industry and Commerce, Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister Sh. Rao Narbir Singh said the first budget presented by Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini is the most important budget of his 38 years of political life which will be written in golden letters in the history of Haryana. He said that when Haryana was formed in the year 1966, the budget of the state was Rs 650 crores which is now touching a new record of Rs 2.5 lakh crores. He said that when former Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal presented his first budget in the year 2014, a provision of 1.18 lakh crores was made in the budget. There has been an unexpected increase of 87,000 crores in the last 10 years for the welfare of the public.  Rao Narbir Singh was addressing a press conference in Gurugram today.

He said that the Chief Minister has tried to give benefits to every section of the society through his first budget. He said that the BJP had made 214 announcements for the next five years in its Sankalp Patra. Some of these announcements have already been completed before the budget and 90 announcements will be completed this year with the set targets. He said that this budget will pave the way for the creation of a better and prosperous Haryana while ensuring the upliftment of all sections. He said that the Chief Minister has made a provision of Rs 5000 crore for the Lado Laxmi Yojana in the current budget.

Rao Narbir Singh said that there is no doubt over building a martyr’s memorial in Naseebpur. The martyr’s memorial will be developed here on 42 kanal i.e. 5.25 acres of land.  He said that this is a matter related to the sentiments of the people of South Haryana. In the revolution of 1857, the people of Ahirwal fought against the British under the leadership of Rao Tularam in which a large number of people were martyred. He said that respect for the martyrs is a part of the ideology of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The contribution of the martyrs cannot be forgotten in any way. The Cabinet Minister said that the Chief Minister has also given his approval to this. He clarified that this work will not be done by the Military and Paramilitary Welfare Department but by the Department of Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture. There was a confusion regarding this in the past days. But now its DPR is being prepared by PWD-B&R. Lack of funds will not be allowed to become an obstacle in the construction of Shaheed Smarak. He said that the government is trying to get rid of waterlogging problem in Gurugram. Under these efforts, a permanent solution to the problem of waterlogging will soon be found in Narsinghpur as well. The Cabinet Minister said that drainage work is going on on the Dwarka Expressway.  As soon as this work is completed, water drainage will be connected with drainage in Narsinghpur.

Rao Narbir Singh said that the government is also moving forward with full seriousness regarding the future water needs of Gurugram. He said that the Chief Minister has specially allotted an amount of Rs 2000 crores in the budget for the covered pipeline from Kakroi of Sonipat to Gurugram. He said that along with getting rid of the problem of water leakage from the entire project, the quality of water will also be maintained.

The Cabinet Minister said that in the coming five years, the foundation of the golden future of Gurugram will be laid with better connectivity and strong road network. He said for the development of infrastructure, an elevated road from Gurugram Jaipur National Highway to Vatika Chowk and four flyovers from Vatika Chowk to Ghata will be constructed at a cost of Rs 850 crore.

Rao Narbir Singh said that in the coming five years, his priority will be to provide smooth and easy traffic route to the general public by relieving the city from traffic jams.  He said that he had a fruitful discussion with the Chief Minister to make Dhankot village on Gurugram Jhajjar road jam-free in which work will be done on the options of bypass for Badhsa AIIMS from Dwarka Expressway. Similarly, the process of land acquisition will be started soon for the bypass to be built in village Chandu.

The Environment Minister informed that the Forest and Wildlife Department has applied to the Central Zoo Authority and the Hon’ble Supreme Court regarding the world’s largest jungle safari proposed in Gurugram.  This project will be taken forward as soon as it is approved.

 He informed that in view of the efforts to improve the environment, an Environment Training Center will be set up in I.M.T.  Manesar, Gurugram, which will also strengthen the efforts to deal with pollution in Gurugram.

 Rao Narbir Singh said that whatever renovation work is being done on the roads in Gurugram, before that the de-silting work of the drains along the road is being completed.  He said that the officers have been instructed that the consent of the concerned RWA must be taken in the development work being completed in any area.  Only after this the concerned contractor should be paid for the work.

 He said that he is confident that the work of Metro expansion in the city will start on the ground on May 1.  He said that the general public should not face any kind of inconvenience during this entire construction work.   For this, he himself visited the proposed route along with GMDA and Metro officials and gave necessary instructions to the concerned officials.

Chandigarh, April 1: In a significant move to strengthen coordination between fisheries and agriculture in the state, Haryana Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry Minister Sh Shyam Singh Rana held a high-level meeting with officials and issued directives to expedite projects through enhanced interdepartmental coordination.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the need for synergy among departments and directed officials to expedite ongoing projects. He stressed the necessity of working on a global level to explore additional income sources for farmers through aquaculture.

A key focus of the meeting was the fisheries projects in Bhiwani and Sirsa districts. The Minister instructed officials to have the final project drawings approved by the end of this month. Land possession for the Bhiwani project has already been secured, and blueprints for electricity and water supply are being developed. The tendering process will begin soon, with work set to commence by the end of April. Regarding the proposed Propad Fish Farm in Sirsa district, the Minister directed the department to submit a progress report to ensure timely completion. The process of identifying land for the 25-acre project is underway, and the Deputy Commissioner has been instructed to expedite land allocation.

 The Minister emphasized the importance of joint meetings between the Fisheries, Agriculture, and Soil Conservation Departments to optimize water usage. He highlighted that water from waterlogged areas could be effectively utilized for both fisheries and shrimp cultivation, thereby fostering a sustainable blue revolution in the state.

He directed officials to identify additional saline water zones and develop projects to leverage them for aquaculture. The Minister also stated that after June, the government aims to reclaim one lakh acres of saline soil, transforming it into a productive resource.

 Officials have been directed to conduct field visits and submit status reports on tubewell operations

The Minister stated that the government is providing a Rs 14 lakh per hectare subsidy for fish farming and instructed officials to connect eligible farmers with the scheme through a dedicated campaign to educate them on the benefits of fish farming. He also directed Agriculture department officials to compile a list of installed tubewells and launch an awareness drive to encourage farmers to effectively utilize government schemes. Furthermore, the Minister urged officials to collaborate with the Forest Department to plant eucalyptus and other trees on saline lands, creating an alternative source of income for farmers.

 The Minister emphasized that fisheries have shown higher profitability compared to traditional agriculture, with horticulture also emerging as a highly lucrative sector. He highlighted that the state government is actively working to reduce dependency on conventional farming by promoting sustainable, high-income-generating alternatives. He said that  district-level committees would be formed to ensure the smooth execution of projects.

Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department Sh Raja Sekhar Vundru, who attended the meeting, assured that interdepartmental coordination would be prioritized to effectively harness saline water resources for shrimp farming.

Chandigarh, April 1- Haryana Education Minister Sh Mahipal Dhanda said that the Haryana Government is committed to further improving the quality of education in government schools. As part of this effort promotions will be made from PRT to TGT, TGT to PGT, PGT to Principal, Principal to BEO, BEO to Deputy DEO, and Deputy DEO to DEO in April 2025. All newly appointed and promoted teachers will be assigned their stations in the same month.

The Education Minister was chairing a review meeting with Education Department officials here today.

Education Minister Sh Mahipal Dhanda stated that, in line with the number of students in government schools and the National Education Policy 2020, the rationalization of the posts of PRT, TGT, and PGT will be carried out.

He stated that the transfer drive for all categories of teachers will begin in the first week of May, to be carried out in different phases. By July, all teachers will be assigned to their new stations, ensuring that the education of children continues smoothly.

The Education Minister said that in line with the announcement made by Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini in the budget speech, the process of opening new model Sanskriti schools within every 10 km radius will begin, ensuring that students have access to better education. He also stated that the state government’s vision is to provide e-libraries for children in government schools. With this in mind, e-libraries will be established in 193 government model Sanskriti schools and 250 PM Shri schools. He emphasized that children should feel safe in schools. Therefore, CCTV cameras will be installed for surveillance in 1,497 government schools across the state.

Principal Secretary of School Education Department Sh Pankaj Agarwal and other senior officers were also present in the meeting. 

Chandigarh, April 1 – Representatives of the Milk Plant Association and Milk Plant Owners of the state met Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini today and expressed their gratitude for the decision to reduce the interest on delayed milk cess payments, including penalties, from 2% compound interest per month (24% per annum) to 12% simple interest per annum.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department Sh Raja Sekhar Vundru and Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Saket Kumar were also present on this occasion.

It is noteworthy that, in a significant move to promote the state’s dairy sector, the Haryana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini recently, approved an amendment to Sub Rule (1) and (2) of Rule 21 of the Haryana Murrah Buffalo and Other Milch Animal Breed Rules, 2002.

The Haryana Milk Plant Association and milk plant owners had met with the Chief Minister and requested an amendment to the existing rules to alleviate the financial burden on milk plants across the state. This amendment will bring significant improvements in the dairy sector by reducing the financial pressure on milk processing industries, ensuring smooth operations and promoting overall development.

Under the new provisions, any delayed payment of fees or cess—along with any penalties—will attract simple interest at the rate of 12% per annum, starting from the due date of payment. The defaulting amount will only be considered to have been paid after both the principal amount and the interest have been paid. This amendment is set to provide a major fillip to the dairy industry, enhancing the operational ease for milk plants and supporting Haryana’s position as a key player in the milk processing industry.

On this occasion, Vice-President of the Haryana Milk Plant Association Sh Vipin Gupta, Sh Gyan Prakash Gupta from Karnal Dairy Milk Food Limited, CEO of Vita Ambala Sh Rakesh Kumar, Devender Punia from Sabar Dairy Rohtak Amul, Baljeet Reddu from Lakshya Dairy Jind, and representatives from various other milk plants were also present. 

Chandigarh, March 29- The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has reconstituted its Consumer Advocacy Cell (CAC) to bolster the rights of electricity consumers across the state. Spearheaded by HERC Chairman Nand Lal Sharma, this initiative replaces the previous cell, established in 2018, with a revamped framework aimed at strengthening consumer rights, streamlining grievance redressal, and ensuring compliance with regulatory directives.

The restructured CAC will be chaired by HERC Member (Law) Mukesh Garg. Its members include Electricity Ombudsman R.K. Khanna, Joint Director (Law) Aloka Sharma, a representative from the Technical Section, the Chief Engineer of the concerned DISCOM zone, and Deputy Director (Media) Pradeep Malik, who will also serve as Member and Coordinator.

The CAC’s primary objective is to educate consumers about their rights and the role of the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF). It will monitor compliance with CGRF and Ombudsman orders, address billing disputes, promote energy conservation and safety, and ensure adherence to Section 57 of the Electricity Act, 2003, which sets performance standards for distribution licensees (DISCOMs). The cell will also analyze grievance patterns, propose policy interventions, and offer recommendations through periodic review meetings.

HERC Secretary Jaiprakash reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to consumer welfare, stating, “Chairman Nand Lal Sharma has emphasized that the core objective of the Electricity Act, 2003 is to protect the rights of electricity consumers. This initiative reflects our dedication to ensuring that consumers are well-informed and empowered.”

The reconstitution of the CAC marks a pivotal milestone in advancing consumer advocacy within Haryana’s power sector, underscoring HERC’s resolve to safeguard the interests of electricity users across the state.

Chandigarh, March 29: The Haryana government is continuously conducting strict campaigns to keep illegal mining under control. A joint team from the mining department and other related departments carried out a surprise inspection in areas linked to Crusher Zone Pali in Faridabad and checked the vehicles. 

Sharing information in regard, an official spokesperson from the mining department said that, following the directions of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, Director General, Mining and Geology Department, Sh. K. M Pandurang, is personally overseeing departmental activities and issuing necessary guidelines. The main goal of the government is to make the mining process transparent and eliminate illegal mining. As per the Director General’s directions, the departmental team is diligently performing its duties while keeping a close eye on all necessary aspects. 

During the inspection, all vehicles were found to have valid e-Ravana bills. No illegal mining activities were detected during the checks. The spokesperson stated that if any violations are found, the mining department team will take immediate action. The team remains actively stationed on national highways, state roads, and other major routes. Special monitoring is being conducted in areas where there is a high possibility of illegal mining. Surprise inspections are being carried out in various parts of the district, and strict measures are being taken against culprits. The Haryana government has made it clear that illegal mining will not be tolerated under any circumstances, and strict legal action will be taken against those involved.

Chandigarh, March 29 – Haryana Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij listened to the grievances of people from different areas of Ambala Cantonment at his residence today and issued directions to the concerned officers for necessary action.

A woman from Khatik Mandi in Ambala Cantonment approached Cabinet Minister, Sh. Anil Vij with a complaint stating that her son had been sent to Dubai by two agents on the false promise of a good job. However, after reaching Dubai, he was forced to do labor work, which severely affected his health. The woman alleged that the agents had taken possession of her son’s passport and other documents. When she tried to contact them, they demanded Rs.1.5 lakh, which she paid, but despite this, her son was not allowed to return. She requested strict action against the accused. Cabinet Minister. Sh. Anil Vij directed the IG of Ambala to investigate the matter.

Women from Topkhana Parade requested Energy and Transport Minister, Sh. Anil Vij that their houses were connected by an unpaved road, causing significant difficulties, especially during the rainy season, in accessing the main road. Sh.Anil Vij directed the concerned department officers to take action.

A resident of Ambala Cantonment complained that despite a court order, action had not been taken for the registration of his plot, alleging police inaction in the matter. Similarly, a college student reported that she was unable to obtain a new bus pass from the Roadways after losing her original pass. Transport Minister, Sh.Anil Vij directed the GM of Roadways to address the issue. Additionally, issues related to electricity supply were also brought to the attention of Minister Sh. Anil Vij, who immediately directed the electricity department officers present at the spot to take necessary action. Various other departmental concerns were also heard by the minister, who directed officers to resolve it. Several BJP leaders and officers from various departments were also present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, March 29- Haryana Health Minister, Kumari Arti Singh Rao said that under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the state government is committed to providing better services to the public in a fair and transparent manner. 

            Kumari Arti Singh Rao said this while addressing a meeting of officers in Narnaul. 

            She congratulated the Health Department and the District Administration for successfully making 128 Gram Panchayats of Mahendragarh district TB-free. The Health Minister expressed confidence that, by working together they will fulfill the resolution of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi of a TB-free India by 2025 ahead of schedule.While there has been significant improvement in the sex ratio in Mahendragarh district, there is still work to be done, she added. 

            She further directed the officers to report any pending issues related to the construction of the new Civil Hospital building and Trauma Center in Mahendragarh to the headquarters, so that these projects can be completed on time.

            Kumari Arti Singh Rao also said to prioritise agricultural electricity connections to ensure that farmers do not face any difficulties. She directed that any issued work orders for connections should be executed immediately. 

            MLA, Narnaul, Sh. Om Prakash Yadav,  MLA Mahendragarh, Sh. Kanwar Singh Yadav, Superintendent of Police, Ms. Pooja Vashisth, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Anand Kumar Sharma and other officers also remained present during the meeting.