IEP Chandigarh

In a proactive move towards enhancing road safety, Haryana Transport Minister, Sh. Mool Chand Sharma chaired a pivotal meeting of the State Road Safety Council held here today. During the meeting, he emphasized the imperative need to transform National Highway-44 into a zero-tolerance zone, aiming to curb accidents and enhance overall safety standards. He also directed the officers to immediately close all unauthorized cuts on these roads to ensure control over accidents. He emphasized taking strict action against illegal cuts made in front of dhabas and petrol pumps on national highways.

The Minister said that the goal is to reduce accidents on roads. To control accidents, increased patrolling on national and state highways is essential. He emphasized prompt completion of work related to accident-prone points, speed breakers, signage boards, road markings, cat eyes, and black spots. He further directed the officers concerned to immediately address illegal cuts on National Highways, particularly those in front of dhabas and petrol pumps, by registering FIRs.

The Transport Minister stressed the importance of road safety, especially during foggy weather. He directed the departments to install reflectors and reflective tape on roads, tractors, trailers, buses, and other vehicles to enhance visibility. He also emphasized placing reflective tape on the horns of stray animals to prevent accidents. Reducing road accidents is our responsibility, he added.

Sh. Mool Chand Sharma directed forest department officers to timely trim trees on road edges to prevent animals from hiding behind them, thus avoiding accidents. He also directed the officers of the Excise and Taxation Department to use GPS to locate liquor shops under the New Excise Policy.

He said the initiation of the Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD) project by the Ministry of Transport, Government of India, which has been implemented in Haryana. Various departments, including police, health, NHAI, PWD, HSIIDC, and local bodies, are involved in this project to work on road safety at the state and district levels. All departments submit their reports on this portal.

The Minister said that the National Road Safety Week will be observed from January 11 to 17 in all 22 districts to educate the public about the consequences of reckless driving. He encouraged organizing presentations and workshops in schools, community centres, and workplaces to raise awareness about road safety rules.

Sh. Mool Chand Sharma directed departments namely Civic Bodies, Development and Panchayat, Health, Public Works (Buildings and Roads), Education, Transport, Forest, Excise and Taxation, Police, Marketing Board, HSIIDC, and NHAI to prepare action plans related to road safety by January 15, 2024. He also directed the officers of these departments to attend the upcoming Road Safety Council meeting in March with full preparedness.

Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner, Revenue and Disaster Management, Sh. TVSN Prasad, Principal Secretary, Transport Department, Sh. Navdeep Singh Virk, Director General, Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department and Mines and Geology Department, Sh. Mandip Singh Brar, IG Traffic, Sh. Hardeep Doon, Transport Commissioner, Sh. Yashendra Singh and senior officers of various departments also remained present on this occasion.

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Haryana Minister of Development and Panchayats, Sh. Devender Singh Babli, welcomed the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra at the villages of Tohana – Diwana, Nathuwal, Ratta Theh, and Dher. The Minister of Development and Panchayats, Sh. Devender Singh Babli, stated that the present government has worked towards eliminating corruption while ensuring that the benefits of schemes reach the citizens directly. Expressing gratitude towards the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal for waiving off crores of rupees of the outstanding water charges, along with surcharge and interest, he said that the government has ensured that the direct benefits of the schemes reach the citizens.

Sh. Babli addressed the beneficiaries at the programme and administered an oath to make the country ‘Viksit’ Developed. He also inspected stalls displaying the plans of various departments.

Sh. Babli highlighted the government’s focus is on ensuring that the welfare schemes reach the last person standing in the queue. Through the Yatra, information about government-implemented schemes is being disseminated to the public through stalls set up by various departments. This includes details about Ayushman Cards, Chirayu Cards, Old Age Samman Allowance scheme and other Agriculture Department-related schemes, along with other initiatives.

The Minister of Development and Panchayats emphasized that the decision to waive off crores of rupees in water charges, including surcharge and interest, taken during the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, aims to provide significant relief to rural families.

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Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister Sh. Devender Singh Babli performed  ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ of NH-148B in Tohana to be built at a cost of Rs 149 crore. He said that for people to commute easily such projects are being undertaken which is beneficial for the traffic regulation too.

This road will be widened from seven meters to ten meters. This road from Surewala Chowk passing through Tohana city to the Punjab border will be given an attractive look by making a divider in the middle of the town. In addition, Sh.Babli also inaugurated various development works in the villages of Dangra, Laloda, and Dhani Bhojraj.

He said that Tohana is making good progress in terms of development. Either there are various developmental works which have been completed or are in progress. Such includes the construction of a 100-bed hospital, a modern bus stand and commuters will get relief after the NH- 148B construction.

He said other underway projects which includes Rasulpur medical college, widening of Tohana-Kulan-Ratia road at a cost of Rs.80 crore, a flyover wil be built in Jamalpur at a cost of Rs.36 Crore and improvement of the drinking water supply in the region. A project to supply canal water to Jakhal at a cost of Rs 38 crore is underway. Besides for  increasing the capacity of water tanks in Tohana city, a water pipeline is also being built at a cost of Rs.90 crore.

Sh.Babli stated that the state government is committed towards the development of the rural areas for which the government had released a grant of Rs 1100 crore to Gram Panchayats and a grant of Rs 1500 crore for development works is given and similar amout of grant will be given to the Panchayats by March.

He further stated that the government is moving forward with 9-point programmes providing basic facilities in the villages  including Gym, library, women’s culture centre, community centre, street light, CCTV cameras, waste management, grey water management and other.

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Haryana Public Health Engineering Minister Dr. Banwari Lal said that the foundation stone for the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rewari will be laid soon. The state-of-the-art institute, estimated to cost Rs 1236 crore, will significantly bolster healthcare infrastructure in the region.

During a meeting with department officers here today, Dr. Banwari Lal and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. J P Dalal also discussed the procurement of computers and printers, a crucial step in modernizing the operations in the departments.

The meeting yielded significant progress on the ambitious Sanjha Dairy project, aimed at providing common space for animal husbandry in rural areas. Dr. Banwari Lal directed officials to expedite the rollout, initially piloting it in every district for wider impact.

He further commended the success of Sanjha Dairy, a cooperative initiative empowering women and youth. Recognizing its efficacy, the government plans to launch a similar program in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department.

Furthermore, Dr. Banwari Lal emphasized the importance of the oil mill soon to be set up in Rampur by HAFED. He stressed its potential benefit to local communities and urged expedited progress, with technical eligibility expected to be finalized within the week.

Following the meeting, the Public Health Engineering Minister dedicated time to addressing public concerns. He issued directives to officials regarding matters like laying a drinking water line in Mundsa village, Jhajjar district, ensuring uninterrupted supply for residents.

ACS, Mr. V Raja Shekhar Vundru, HAFED MD, Mr. J Ganesan, and MD Cooperative Bank were also present.

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Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Dushyant Chautala today conducted a thorough review of the initiatives undertaken by the Public Works Department to acquire approximately 5,000 acres of land through the e-bhoomi portal. The purpose is to facilitate afforestation in 10 districts across the state. Additionally, he issued directives to expedite the resolution of pending matters with the Forest Department, specifically addressing an approximately 88-foot-long stretch on Shershah Suri Road between Pataudi and Rewari.

In his capacity as the head of Public Works Department, the Deputy Chief Minister chaired a meeting with officers from both the Public Works and Forest Departments here today. During the meeting, Mr. Dushyant Chautala was briefed by departmental officers about the necessity to cut down some trees for road widening and other Public Works Department projects. However, in order to ensure continuity in these initiatives, approximately 600 acres of land are currently required. The Deputy Chief Minister said that by planting trees on this land, the Public Works Department could seamlessly proceed with its projects.

In consideration of future departmental needs, Mr. Dushyant Chautala proposed the collection of a 500-acre land bank through the e-Bhoomi portal in 10 districts bordering South Haryana. This initiative aims to enable afforestation, and the resulting land can be handed over to the Forest Department.

The Minister reiterated the challenge faced by the Public Works Department when obtaining a no-objection certificate from the Forest Department for cutting trees in the construction or widening of new roads. Delays in obtaining such certificates often lead to project delays. To address this, Mr. Dushyant Chautala emphasized the importance of the Public Works Department proactively planting trees on its land designated for future projects.

Present at the meeting include Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department, Mr. Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forest, and Wildlife Department, Mr. Vineet Garg, OSD to the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Kamlesh Bhadu, and other senior officers.

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Haryana Cabinet met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, has approved a pioneering scheme offering monthly financial assistance to persons suffering from rare diseases.

The scheme, “Financial Assistance to Persons Suffering from Rare Diseases,” comes as a response to the increasing prevalence of rare diseases affecting families and communities across Haryana. The National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021 identifies 55 rare diseases, causing undue financial strain and societal impact. With an estimated 1000 patients currently suffering from these rare diseases in Haryana, the government aims to alleviate the economic burden faced by affected individuals and their families. This compassionate initiative was announced by Chief Minister on May 11 2023, during the inaugural function at Civil Hospital, Yamuna Nagar.

Under this scheme, individuals suffering from rare diseases, meeting the eligibility criteria, will receive monthly financial assistance of Rs. 2,750 per month. The financial assistance provided under this scheme will be in addition to the benefit being availed under any other social security pension scheme by the applicant.

Haryana cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal here today accorded approval to a proposal regarding the deletion of 7 castes namely Aheria, Aheri, Heri, Hari, Turi or Thori from Sr. no. 1, amendment of the word Jangam-Jogi as Jangam at Sr. No. 31 and omission of Rai Sikh caste from Sr. 50 in the State list of Backward Classes (Block-A), in the schedule of the Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Services and Admission in educational Institutions) Act, 2016.

The representations has been received from individuals and associations/organizations time and again requesting deletion of Aheria, Aheri, Heri, Hari, Thori or Turi and Rai Sikh communities from State list of Backward Classes (Block-A) as these caste have been included in the list of Scheduled Castes of Haryana by the Central Government.

The Central Government has also deleted these castes from the list of OBCs of Haryana as list of scheduled castes and other backward classes are mutually exclusive and one community cannot be found in the list of Scheduled Castes as well as Backward Classes at the same point of time.

To clear the confusion being faced by the authorities concerned whether to issue SC certificate or BC certificate to these castes and once these caste have been included in the Constitution Schedule Castes order, same are liable to be deleted from the list of Backward Classes.

After deleting Aheria, Aheri, Heri, Hari, Thori or Turi from the list of Backward Classes (Block-A) from Sr. no. 1, Naik caste will remain at Sr. no. 1 and while deleting Rai Sikh from Sr. no. 50, word ‘omitted’ will be inserted at Sr. no. 50 with effect from June 30, 2016 as the Government of India has also deleted these castes from the OBC list of Haryana from the same date.

Further, at Sr. No. 31 of the BC Block (A) list, Jogi Jangam will be amended at Jangam while other existing enteries will remain as such.

Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal here today accorded approval to a proposal regarding the grant of one-time cash award for PVSM to Air Marshal Manavendra Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM, ADC as a special case by the Government of Haryana.

The Veteran Officer, Air Marshal Manavendra Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM, ADC has been awarded PVSM by the President of India.  The address of the Veteran Officer at the time of joining the services on December 29  1982 was Ludhiana (Punjab). The address of the Veteran Officer at the time of the award received on January 26, 2022, is Sector-2, Panchkula since 1988. Therefore, the Cabinet by giving relaxation in policy No. 28/2/2005-4D-III dated May 28, 2014, has decided to release a grant amount of Rs. 6,50,000 to the Veteran Air Marshal Manavendra Singh.

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Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal here today accorded approval to amend The Chowkidara (Watchman) Rules, 2013 to provide one time financial assistance of Rs. 2 lakh to a Gramin Chowkidar (Watchman) after retirement. The decision will benefit all Gramin Chowkidars and the State Government will bear the total financial burden. 

These rules will be called the Haryana Chowkidara (Watchman) Amendment Rules, 2024. As per the amendment, in the Haryana Chowkidara (Watchman) Rules, 2013, in rule 12, after sub-rule (2), The Village Watchman sub rule (2A) has been inserted so as to give one-time financial assistance of Rs. 2 lakh after retirement.

Notably, during a meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal, regarding demands and issues of Gramin Chowkidars in which a delegation of the Gramin Chowkidars comprising Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh and the State Unit of Gramin Chowkidars pressed their demands.

The State Government has therefore decided to increase monthly honorarium from Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 11,000 per month, uniform allowance from Rs. 2500 per year to Rs. 4,000 per year and Cycle allowance of Rs. 3500 every 5 year. All these financial benefits will entail an expenditure of approx. Rs. 30 crore every year.

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Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal here today, has given its nod to the policy on development of Eco-Tourism in the state. This policy aims to harness the state’s rich biodiversity, ecosystems, heritage monuments, and cultural diversity.

This initiative is a key step towards positioning Haryana as a premier eco-tourism destination, offering a harmonious blend of nature, culture, and community engagement. The Haryana government invites stakeholders, tourists, and nature enthusiasts to participate actively in realizing the objectives of the Eco-Tourism Policy. The policy will focus on preserving Haryana’s existing biodiversity, ecosystems, heritage monuments, culture, and traditions while promoting traditional ecological knowledge, and heritage values of Haryana’s wilderness.

This policy provides opportunities to promote nature tourism, enhancing the local economy and promoting sustainable use of indigenous materials and also encourage collaboration between local communities, NGOs, academic institutions, private enterprises, and various government departments for holistic eco-tourism development thereby helping such communities become ‘AtmaNirbhar’.

The policy emphasizes the conservation of Haryana’s diverse landscapes, including two National Parks, seven Wildlife Sanctuaries, two Ramsar Sites, two Conservation Reserves, and five Community Reserves along with many niche faunal habitat ecosystem including the old Aravalli hill range, Shivalik hills, rich biodiversity, dense forests, host of water bodies and scenic places. To facilitate eco-tourism activities, the Forest and Wildlife Department has developed facilities at various locations in the state.

The Chief Minister stressed upon the importance of sustainability and introduced a technology component to monitor the initiatives proposed, aligning with the national guidelines for sustainable eco-tourism.

It is worth noting the fact that the Forest and Wildlife Department has developed Eco-tourism facilities at Chuharpur and Bansataur in Yamunanagar, Thapli in Panchkula, Nature Trail in Panchkula and Yamunanagar and Masani in Rewari district to promote Eco-tourism in the state.

The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal here today, approved the amendment in Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Junior Engineers and Additional Sub Divisional Engineers (Group C) Service Rules, 2014.

As per the existing rules, the promotional quota from Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ employees for specific posts has been set at 10% of the total posts. In line with the Chief Minister’s vision to extend promotional opportunities to Group ‘D’ employees, the amended rules propose a promotional quota of 10% for Group ‘C’ and 5% for Group ‘D’ for elevation to the post of Junior Engineer. Additionally, the proposal stipulates that experience will only be considered after acquiring the requisite academic qualifications for promotion to the post of Junior Engineer.

Under the Chief Minister’s directives, the Irrigation Department has deemed it necessary to revise its rules in alignment with the Public Health Engineering Department, Haryana, and PWD B&R Department, Haryana.

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In a significant move to enhance the enforcement capabilities of the Transport Department, the Haryana Cabinet, convened under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal, has accorded approval to bestow challaning powers upon Transport Inspectors under  Rule 225 of the Haryana Motor Vehicles Rules 1993.

Currently, there are 114 positions for Transport Inspectors in the state, with 66 officers in the Transport Department already assigned primarily to enforcement duties. These enforcement officers will be in addition to 22 DTO-cum-Secretary RTA, 22 Motor Vehicle Officer (Enforcement), and 7 Assistant Secretary level officers.

Recognizing the imperative need for expanded enforcement capacities across the state, the State Cabinet has approved the extension of challaning powers to these Transport Inspectors under Rule 225 of the Haryana Motor Vehicles Rules 1993.

This strategic decision aims to further strengthen the enforcement processes within the Transport department, ensuring more effective adherence to the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act throughout the state. The Transport Inspectors will now exercise the authority to issue challans, in case directions are issued by the respective DTO-cum-Secretary RTA and with prior approval from the Transport Commissioner.

By empowering additional officers with challaning powers, the Haryana government will ensure an improved implementation of the Motor Vehicle Act, contributing to safer and more regulated transportation practices across the state.

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In a landmark decision aimed at providing substantial relief to rural households, the Haryana Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal, has approved the waiver of outstanding water charges, including surcharge and interest, amounting to Rs 374.28 crore. This move is set to benefit crores of water consumers in general categories and Scheduled Castes across the state.

An announcement to this effect was made by Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal during a Jan Samvad held at Ateli Mandi in the Mahendergarh district.

This decision will extend relief to a substantial 28.87 lakh water connection holders in rural areas across the state. However, this waiver does not extend to institutional, commercial, or industrial consumers falling under the Public Health Engineering department.

The Cabinet has approved the waiver of water charges amounting to Rs 336.35 crore, accumulated from April 1, 2015, to December 31, 2022, for all types of consumers in villages and rural areas. This encompasses general category as well as Scheduled Castes categories.

In addition, the Cabinet has accorded approval for the waiver of surcharge and interest totaling Rs 37.93 crore on water charges accumulated from April 1, 2015, to December 31, 2023, in villages and rural areas.

This decision reflects the government’s proactive approach to alleviate the financial burden on rural households, ensuring equitable access to essential resources. It is believed that the waiver will have a positive impact on the lives of a significant number of residents in Haryana.

The Haryana Cabinet which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal, today approved amendments made in the Business of Haryana Government (Allocation) Rules 1974 of School Education Department.

This amendment is necessitated owing to the separation of the School Education Department from the Higher Education Department. The amendments aim to redefine the scope and responsibilities of the School Education Department, now officially distinct from the higher education counterpart.

Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal here today approved the amendment in Haryana Education (College Cadre) Group-B Service Rules, 1986. These rules may be called the Haryana Education (College Cadre) Group-B Service (Amendment) Rules, 2023.

As per amendment, Good academic record with a Master’s degree with 55 percent marks (or an equivalent grade in a point-scale wherever the grading system is followed) in a concerned/relevant/allied subject from an Indian University or an equivalent degree from an accredited foreign university has been included. 

A relaxation of 5 percent will be allowed at the bachelor’s as well as at the Master’s level for the candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/ Backward Classes A’ and ‘B’ (Non-creamy Layer), Differently-abled,  (a) Blindness and low vision; (b) Deaf and Hard of Hearing; (c) Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid-attack victims and muscular dystrophy, (d) Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness, (e) Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under (a) to (d) including deaf-blindness of Haryana State for the purpose of eligibility for direct recruitment. The eligibility marks of 55 percent (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever the grading system is followed) and the relaxation of 5 percent to the categories mentioned above are permissible, based only on the qualifying marks without including any grace mark procedure.

The National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) or the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), or a similar test accredited by the UGC, like SLET/SET or who are or have been awarded a Ph.D Degree in accordance with the University Grant Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of M.Phil/Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2009 or 2016 and their amendments from time to time, as the case may be exempted from NET/SLET/SET.

The fulfillment of these conditions is to be certified by the Registrar or the Dean (Academic Affairs) of the University concerned.

Criteria for determining good academic record

For determining good academic record a candidate should either have average of 55 percent marks in two of the four examination (not below Matric or equivalent) upto Master’s degree or 50 marks in each of these two examinations separately.

Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal here today approved the amendment in eligibility criterion and recruitment conditions related to the cadres in Haryana Forest Executive Section (Group C) Service Rules, 1998.

The Haryana State Forest Executive Section (Group C) Service (Amendment) Rules, 2023 will come into force on the date of their publication in the official Gazette.

As per the amendment, now the ratio of Direct Recruitment and Promotee Forest Rangers will be 50:50, while at present the said ratio is 67:33. The said amendment has been made in view of recommendation from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, New Delhi, in order to provide better avenues of promotions to the Deputy Rangers.

At present, there are 126 posts of Forest Rangers in Department for which 67 percent are appointed by Direct Recruitment through Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) and 33 percent by promotion from the Deputy Rangers.

Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal here today approved the amendment in Haryana Wildlife Preservation Department, State Service, Executive (Group A and Group B) Service Rules, 1998.

These rules will be called the Haryana Wildlife Preservation Department State Service, Executive (Group A and Group B) Service (Amendment) Rules, 2023.

As per the amendment, the post of Chief Wildlife Warden is removed from State Rules, as it has been included at PCCF level in IFS (Haryana Cadre) by Government of India. This amendment has been done in accordance with the notifications or instructions issued by the Government from time to time.