IEP Chandigarh, February 5

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Dushyant Chautala, announced that starting April 1, 2024, sunflower oil will also be made available on demand to BPL card holders of the state.

Providing updates on the initiatives in the interest of BPL cardholders, the Deputy Chief Minister said even after increasing the income limit in the state, about 57 lakh new beneficiaries have come under the ambit of BPL. As the Deputy CM overseeing the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department, he highlighted the state government’s decision to raise the income limit for BPL cardholders from Rs 1.20 lakh annually to Rs 1.80 lakh two years ago.

Responding about the concerns raised by some people about a decrease in the number of BPL beneficiaries, Sh. Chautala clarified that prior to the revision of the limit in December 2022, there were 26,94,484 BPL cards and 1,22,12,778 beneficiaries. Following the limit revision, as of January 2024, the number of BPL cards has increased to 44,86,954, with beneficiaries reaching 1,79,44,045. In total, approximately 57 lakh beneficiaries have been newly added to the BPL list.

BPL card holders will also get pending ration: Deputy CM

The Deputy Chief Minister said that BPL cardholders will also receive pending rations. He explained that due to the inclusion of 57 lakh new beneficiaries in the BPL list, some recipients were unable to access their rations. Following a letter written to the Central Government requesting rations for the new beneficiaries, permission has been granted, and the remaining rations will be distributed promptly. The state government will procure wheat from central agencies and sugar from sugarcane mills.

He further disclosed that while the price of mustard oil was being transferred to the bank accounts of BPL cardholders through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), there were demands from the public to receive oil directly from the depot instead of money. In response, the government has decided to provide only mustard oil to BPL beneficiaries. Additionally, he announced that starting from April 1, 2024, sunflower oil will also be distributed to BPL cardholders in the state. Both mustard oil and sunflower oil will be allocated to BPL beneficiaries based on the demand received from each district, he added.

IEP Chandigarh  February 5

          Punjab Tourism & Cultural Affairs Minister Anmol Gagan Mann on Monday released the poster of famous Kila Raipur Rural Olympics-2024.

          The rural Olympics will be held from February 12 to 14 in Kila Raipur village of the district. This time the Rural Olympics will be organised by the Punjab government.

          While releasing the poster, Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Mann said that the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government was committed to restoring the pristine glory of sports in the state and it will provide every kind of possible assistance to the organizing committee of these games so that more champions can be produced in the coming years.

          Mann said that the matches of Hockey, Kabbadi, Wrestling, cycling, race, tug of war and others would be played during three-day mega sporting events besides cultural programs by renowned singers will be presented.

          The Cabinet Minister also assured fulsome support of Tourism & Cultural Affairs department to take the popularity of these games to new heights.

          On the occasion, ADC (RD) Anmol Singh Dhaliwal and others were present.

IEP Chandigarh, February 3

Haryana School Education, Forest and Tourism Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal stated that the government led by the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal is ensuring all round development across the entire state.

The Minister of School Education inaugurated and laid the foundation for development works worth Rs.78 lakh on Saturday in the Jagadhri Assembly constituency as part of the series of development activities.

He stated that the state government is working without any bias, giving priority based on the needs of all assembly constituencies. Special attention has been given to the construction of bridges, new construction, and maintenance of roads.

He said the government’s effort is to ensure that people effectively benefit from welfare schemes, and for this, transparent development plans are being implemented in every area. He emphasised that since the formation of the government in the state, special attention has been given to the roads. Now, all districts of the state are being connected to national highways. In the Jagadhri Assembly constituency, new and old roads have been improved with projects costing crores of rupees.

Sh. Kanwar Pal said that along with roads, other development projects in the Jagadhri Assembly constituency are also being expedited. At present, projects worth crores of rupees are being run by the government in Jagadhri city, some of which have been completed, and others will be completed soon, for the benefit of the public.  

IEP Chandigarh

The Ministry of Labour and Employment of the Government India is using ‘eShram’ portal for the welfare of unorganised sector workers, and is being actively implemented in Haryana. Under this, the Labour Department has reopened the registration for the unorganised sector workers.

Sharing information in this regard an official spokesperson said that the Haryana government is committed towards the workers’ welfare. The unorganised sector includes agriculture workers, labourers, street vendors, domestic workers, and construction workers and others. This digital platform aims to connect unorganised workers with the welfare schemes of the government.

He said that the e-Shram portal is not just a digital platform; it is an initiative to bring comprehensive improvements in the living standards of unorganised labourers, as they face various challenges, and by registering them on the e-Shram portal, the government aims to ensure they benefit from the schemes offered.

He encouraged all unorganised sector workers to ensure prompt registration on the e-Shram portal. The Labour Department is conducting a massive campaign across all districts of Haryana for the registration of unorganised workers on the e-Shram portal. Each registered worker will be given a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN), which will be valid for lifetime. Additionally, the workers’ skills will be mapped, allowing employers to provide employment according to their needs.

Any worker can register themselves on eshram.gov.in or visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) to complete the registration. After registration, workers can easily avail benefits of schemes related to health, education, and other social security based on their needs. Even migrant workers should ensure their registration with the Labour Department to avail the benefits of all the schemes.

Eligibility for Registration on the eShram Portal

The spokesperson said that workers like Small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, people involved in the field of animal husbandry, labeling and packing, carpenters, newspaper vendors, rickshaw and auto drivers, MNGRGA workers, Asha workers, milk farmers, migrant workers etc. are eligible and can register themselves on eshram portal. Also they should be between 16-59 years old, and not members of EPFO and ESIC, and not income tax payers. Eligible candidates can register with their Aadhar number, mobile number, Aadhar-linked bank account, etc. 

IEP Chandigarh, February 3

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) being implemented by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, provides free treatment for diseases of helpless families. Under this scheme, each family is provided with free health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh per year. The PMJAY has proved to be a boon for the helpless people.

Sharing information in this regard an official spokesperson said that the state government has expanded the scheme and started the Chirayu Yojana Haryana for the health welfare of the citizens of the state under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. With the help of the Chirayu Yojana, poor families can get free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh and under the Chirayu Yojana.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana started in 2018 with the aim of providing health benefits to the underprivileged ones. Earlier, only BPL families with income up to Rs 1.80 lakh were eligible for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. To ensure the scheme’s full advantage, the state government decided to provide health benefits to families with incomes of up to Rs 3 lakh. Such families can provide health benefits to the entire family by paying a very low monthly charge of Rs 1500 per year. As a result, the government is now providing assistance to around 30 lakh families under this initiative.

He said that under the Chirayu Yojana, new members can join by providing their birth or marriage certificates. The scheme is completely cashless, and beneficiaries can receive free treatment by showing their Ayushman Bharat card at empaneled private or government hospitals. To get an Ayushman Bharat card, beneficiaries can visit any Atal Seva Kendra or health centre with their Parivar Pehchan Patra or Aadhaar card. Notably, during the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, efforts were made to create Chirayu cards in every village.

He mentioned the unique feature of portability in this scheme, meaning patients from the state can avail free treatment at panels of private or government hospitals in any other state. The government not only provides free treatment but also focuses on ensuring quality treatment.

IEP Chandigarh, February 3

Vice President of India, Sh Jagdeep Dhankhar today released a book titled “9 Incredible Years of Haryana Government: Emergence of a New and Vibrant Haryana” at Surajkund, Faridabad. The event also witnessed the presence of Haryana Governor, Sh Bandaru Dattatraya, Chief Minister, Sh Manohar Lal and several other distinguished guests.

After releasing the book, the Vice President, in his address, described the state of Haryana as a role model for the country. He said that the work done in Haryana regarding system change and good governance, in accordance with the visionary thinking of Chief Minister Shri Manohar Lal, was not easy. Reforming the system was difficult because, while undertaking such endeavors, the first individuals to challenge you are those in your immediate surroundings. They question why you have assumed power, why you are altering political norms ingrained over decades, and if you do not provide employment opportunities for your constituents, who will support us. However, Sh Manohar Lal regarded the entirety of Haryana as his family and pursued the task of systemic transformation. He emphasized that this message resonated not only within Haryana but across the entire country. Today, the ‘Transparent-Accountable-Honest Recruitment Process’ of Haryana State is a topic of discussion nationwide. He further highlighted that Haryana excels in numerous fields, including agriculture, sports, and defense services. The farmers and soldiers of Haryana have consistently strived to uphold our national pride.

Describing Sh Manohar Lal’s seven principles of good governance – Shiksha, Swasthya, Suraksha, Swabhiman, Swavlamban, Sushasan, and Sewa – as Satvik, he said that these principles are indispensable for upholding democratic values.

Sh Dhankhar remarked that India is undergoing a profound transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi. He emphasized that the vision embedded within our cultural heritage is vividly reflected in our current progress, portraying today as a glorious era for India. This pivotal period lays the robust groundwork for India’s future, ensuring that by the time India commemorates its 100 years of independence in 2047, it will emerge as a developed nation.

He stated that just a decade ago, the country was known by ‘scams’ and a faltering economy. However, today, India has ascended to become the fifth-largest superpower globally, surpassing countries like Canada, England and France. Within the next 2-3 years, India will ascend to the position of the third-largest superpower in the world, surpassing Japan and Germany, he added.

Sh Dhankhar highlighted that there was a time when corruption prevailed in every aspect of government, necessitating the involvement of middlemen for any work to be accomplished. Today the culture of middlemen has been eradicated entirely. He commended the significant ecosystem that our youth are currently benefiting from, which has strengthened their confidence and propelled them to unprecedented heights based on their achievements.

The Vice President lauded Sh Rajesh Khullar, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and said that his lecture would be conducted as a source of motivation on Sansad TV.

The book, which illustrates the development narrative of Haryana, is poised to become the new history of Haryana – Governor Bandaru Dattatraya

During the book release ceremony, Haryana Governor Sh Bandaru Dattatraya expressed pride in the developmental changes witnessed by the people of Haryana over the past nine years. He noted that due to this sustained development, future generations will always cherish these transformative moments. The Governor highlighted that Haryana has now emerged as one of the leading states in the country, attributing this progress to the government’s commitment to equitable development, corruption-free governance, and transparency, guided by the principle of “Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek.” He said that Haryana’s global recognition is growing steadily as it continues to innovate and progress.

Describing the book focusing on the nine remarkable years of the Haryana government as a testament to the state’s track record, the Governor praised Chief Minister Manohar Lal’s leadership style, hailing him as a dedicated and genuine public servant. He reiterated that the Chief Minister considers the entire state as his family and diligently fulfils his responsibilities.

The Governor said that this book, which illustrates the development narrative of Haryana, is poised to become the new history of Haryana. He emphasized the importance of disseminating the book to rural areas, ensuring that people understand the government’s ongoing efforts for their welfare.

Improving lives of citizens by advancing Good Governance and Antyodaya – Manohar Lal

Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal said that the book ‘9 Incredible Years of Haryana Government’ encapsulates perspectives from individuals occupying various positions in politics, education, social work, administration and the judiciary. Notably, insightful contributions from intellectuals regarding the state government’s initiatives for the nation and society are also featured in the book. Reflecting on his nine-year tenure, he underscored the government’s focus on addressing grassroots realities and resolving people’s issues. Guided by the principles of good governance and Antyodaya, the government has endeavored to improve the lives of the state’s residents.

Emphasizing the rejection of the three Cs – crime, corruption, and caste-based politics, Sh Manohar Lal highlighted the realization of the ethos of ‘Haryana ek-Haryanvi ek.’ Referring to the seven S as the aim of his vision, he said that today a system based on – Shiksha, Swasthya, Suraksha, Swabhiman, Swavlamban, Sushasan, and Sewa – has been established in the state.

Additionally, he reminisced about his experiences working alongside Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, noting the Prime Minister’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing the nation’s interests. Sh Manohar Lal pledged to uphold this ethos, ensuring a continued focus on public service in the state. He extended his gratitude to Vice President Sh Jagdeep Dhankhar for releasing the book.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi used to say that whatever you feel is good for public interest, start it. If it’s detrimental, abandon it, if it’s beneficial, persist, Modi ji used to grant such freedom. Referring to Sh Modi as a ‘prayogdharmi’, the Chief Minister highlighted the positive changes and initiatives undertaken over the past nine years to steer the country on the path of unprecedented development. He said that while a political leader can outline goals, it’s the administrative officers who execute the action plan to realize those objectives effectively. The Chief Minister said that the ideology he has been associated with, the individual is not primary but the ideology is primary. On the basis of this ideology, we are moving forward and continuously engaged in public service.

Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sh Rajesh Khullar also provided detailed information about the content and concept of the book. He mentioned that through this book, it will also be understood how a new and vibrant Haryana has emerged as a result of a good governance system. He highlighted that Haryana Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal has worked to reform the system during his tenure, serving the entire people of Haryana in the form of servant leadership. Sh Khullar appreciated the efforts made to make Haryana a leading state by implementing significant changes in various government welfare schemes. He noted that the book “9 Incredible Years of Haryana Government” includes responses provided on the public welfare policies of the Haryana Government.

Haryana Assembly Speaker Sh Gian Chand Gupta, Union Minister of State Sh Krishan Pal Gurjar, Transport Minister Moolchand Sharma, Urban Bodies Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta, Cooperative and Public Health Minister Dr. Banwari Lal, Women and Child Development Minister Kamlesh Dhanda, Development and Panchayat Minister Devendra Singh Babli MP Dharmbir Singh, MP Ramesh Kaushik, Rajya Sabha MP Krishan Lal Panwar, General DP Vats, Kartikeya Sharma, Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal, Director General of Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture Department Mandip Singh Brar, book editor Prof. Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, Translation editor Dr. Shamim Sharma and former IPS R.K. Panchnanda and other dignitaries were also present on this occasion.

This book, highlighting the accomplishments of the current government over the past nine years, has been published in both Hindi and English languages.

IEP Chandigarh, February 3

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Dushyant Chautala said that under the PADMA Scheme, 9 locations have been identified in the state for setting up industrial units and applications were sought from farmers for providing land on the e-Bhoomi portal. Under which, proposals of more than 3000 acres have been received from farmers across the state, in which two proposals of 1170 acres have been received for providing land in village Khatkar of Uchana assembly constituency.

Addressing the gathering at Chhatar Gaushala in Uchana today, the Deputy Chief Minister said that industrial units will be developed at these designated locations. This initiative aims to transform Uchana into an industrial hub, thereby generating employment opportunities for the local youth.

During the event, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala distributed cheques worth approximately Rs 84 lakh to 8 cow shelters in Uchana under the Gau Seva Aayog. Additionally, he inaugurated three concrete roads constructed at a cost of about Rs 1 crore 25 lakh.

He mentioned that the state government has allocated Rs 400 crore to the Gau Seva Aayog, which will be utilized for various purposes such as constructing sheds, godowns, boundary walls, paving roads, arranging fodder, and providing other facilities in cow sheds across the state. Furthermore, financial assistance will be provided to registered cow sheds through the portal launched by the Commission, as per their requirements. Mr. Chautala emphasized that cow service is an act of religious virtue, and thus, the contribution of society members is crucial in this regard.

Deputy Chief Minister said that all the administrative formalities including the map of the college to be built in Chhatar village have been completed and Rs 27 crore has been sanctioned for it. Apart from this, Chhatar village has been included in the Mahagram scheme, under which Rs 51 crore has been sanctioned to provide potable drinking water to the villagers and to lay a new pipeline for proper drainage of dirty water. He said that during the tenure of the state government, a record 30,000 kilometers of roads have been constructed, renovated and expanded. The Deputy Chief Minister remarked that empowering farmers and agriculturalists was the vision of Jan Nayak Chaudhary Devi Lal, and it remains the guiding purpose of his own life. He emphasized his ongoing efforts to generate employment opportunities for youth and ensure comprehensive development of villages. Due to his meaningful hard work, pleasant results of various development projects worth about Rs 1,400 crore are being seen in the state as well as in Uchana assembly constituency.

IEP Chandigarh, February 3

The final round of the Hackathon on drug de-addiction, organised jointly by the Haryana Police and the Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau and is scheduled for 4th February. The top 10 teams from across the country will participate, presenting prototypes and solutions related to drug de-addiction.

During the event, each team will have about 20 minutes to present their prototypes or solutions. A panel of experts has been assembled to evaluate the teams based on the set parameters and will also declare the results of the competition. Haryana Police will use the unique ideas from the first, second, and third-place teams in future de-addiction awareness efforts.

Director General of Police, Haryana,  Sh. Shatrujeet Kapur, highlighted the importance of the hackathon in saving the youth from the clutches of drugs. The event, conducted through a digital platform, began on December 3 and attracted 3100 participants from colleges, universities, and other institutions nationwide. Out of these, the top 10 teams have been selected for the final round.

Police Commissioner, Panchkula, Sh. Sibash Kabiraj emphasised the power of digital media in conveying messages to the public. He stressed the need to utilise digital platforms alongside traditional methods to effectively spread the message of de-addiction.

 Sh.Kabiraj stated that the ups and downs in the lives of youth often lead them astray towards issues like drug addiction. The hackathon aims to find innovative solutions, such as e-sports and gaming, to prevent youth from taking the wrong paths.

Kabiraj acknowledged the support of the organisation ‘Hack2Skills’ in organising the hackathon. He stated that the event provides a platform for innovative ideas to convey the message of de-addiction more effectively.

The hackathon showcased both non-technical and technology-based solutions, including online games and metaverse software, connecting more people to the campaign and inspiring them to stay away from drugs.

IEP Chandigarh, February 2

Vice-Chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) Smt. Anjna Panwar, emphasised the crucial role sanitation workers play in society. She acknowledged the significance of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s ‘Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan’ and emphasised that the success of the campaign is unimaginable without the contributions of the  sanitation workers.

Smt. Panwar highlighted the vital role these workers played during the pandemic and urged everyone to be more sensitive to their needs. She directed officers to take prompt action on letters sent by the NCSK department.

Smt. Panwar visited Haryana to review the social, economic, and educational levels of sanitation workers and their dependents and to review self-employment schemes for their rehabilitation. During her visit, she chaired a meeting in Chandigarh with the representatives of Safai Karmachari Commission and administrative secretaries of various departments. Commissioner & Secretary, Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward classes and Antyodaya (SEWA) department, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal  and  Director General, SEWA, and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Smt. Ashima Brar also attended the meeting. 

The Vice Chairperson of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis stated that as per the Supreme Court’s decision, no human should be sent for sewer cleaning. According to the Manual Scavengers Act, sewer cleaning should be done using machines instead of humans, aimed at saving lives. It is important for contractors and workers of sewer cleaning and various departments to be informed about this law. She also mentioned that the supreme court has increased the  financial assistance of sewer workers who died during cleaning, from Rs.10 Lakh to Rs.30 Lakh, entitled for their dependents.

Smt. Panwar further highlighting the importance of health stated that proper clothes, gloves and shoes should be provided to the sanitation workers according to the weather, and said that attendance register centres should be established in different regions of cities, and separate bathrooms for men and women, drinking water, and changing rooms should be built for their safety as well.

She also directed officers to take swift actions in the pending financial assistance cases of the sanitation workers. 

She recommended providing homes or creating dedicated colonies for the rehabilitation of sanitation workers and constructing well-equipped community centres that would facilitate their social activities. Additionally she said that a proper management of their children’s education needs attention.

She stressed the adoption of self-employment for sanitation workers and said that National Safai Karamchari Finance and Development Corporation offers loans ranging from Rs.1 lakh to 50 lakhs for self-employment. Similarly, in Haryana, sanitation workers’ children can avail a loan of Rs.10 lakhs for higher education.

On this occasion, the Commissioner and Secretary of the SEWA Department, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal informed that the Chief Minister is deeply concerned about the well-being of sanitation workers and the state government will formulate a policy for the welfare of sanitation workers soon. The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK)  was established in 2017. During sewer cleaning, there were 124 reported cases of sanitation worker deaths in Haryana and out of these; financial assistance was provided to 90 affected families, and partial financial assistance was given in 10 cases. He mentioned that the Public Health Engineering Department has been designated as the nodal department to formulate policies.

Managing Director, Haryana Scheduled Castes, Finance and Development Corporation, Smt. Geeta Bharti and other officers remained present during the occasion.

IEP Chandigarh, February 2

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh Manohar Lal ordered the suspension of two Haryana Police officers and initiate departmental action against a third officer for failing to conduct a proper investigation into a case involving a fight and assault with weapons in Panipat. In addition, directives have been issued to investigate this matter at the headquarters level and submit the report by February 20, 2024.

The Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty, Sh Bhupeshwar Dayal, stated that Panipat resident Rajesh Gupta filed a complaint with the police alleging that his company obtained an 18-foot-wide road from Attar Rice and General Mills. He claimed that on September 19, 2021, at 9 am, Attarchand Mittal and his two sons, Ankur Mittal and Manish Mittal, accompanied by 40-50 men, obstructed their passage. They returned in the evening with around 100 individuals and attempted to fatally attack them, firing shots. Following the complaint, the matter was investigated by the then ASI Ramniwas and Inspector Ummar Mohammad. The investigation report concluded that the allegations were unfounded.

Mr. Dayal added that following this, Sanjay Gupta lodged a complaint regarding this issue on the CM Window Portal. Subsequently, in accordance with the Chief Minister’s directives, instructions were issued to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter at the headquarters level. The case was once again referred to the Karnal Police for investigation. Additionally, he mentioned that a report from the Inspector General of Police of the Karnal Range has been received, expressing doubts about the closure of the initial investigation report.

According to the Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty, Sh Bhupeshwar Dayal, the Chief Minister has now directed to suspend the then ASI Ram Niwas and Inspector Ummar Mohammad in connection with this issue. In addition, Chief Minister also ordered to initiate departmental action against the third officer who forwarded the matter to Karnal Police rather than conducting an investigation at the headquarters level. Furthermore, the Chief Minister has instructed for a fresh investigation of this matter at the headquarters level and mandated that the report be submitted by February 20, 2024.