IEP Chandigarh, January 13

In order to prevent any potential fire mishap, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Dushyant Chautala directed the officers of the “Fire and Emergency Services” to set up “foam-tender fire-fighting vehicles” at all of the state’s airstrips. Additionally, he gave the go-ahead to establish a Fire and Emergency Services training centre and explore the viability of establishing a new certificate course in the state to periodically train departmental staff.

        The Deputy Chief Minister was presiding over the departmental review meeting of ‘Fire and Emergency Services’ here today. Sh. Dushyant Chautala presided over the first meeting as soon as he got the charge of ‘Fire and Emergency Services’ department.

        During the review meeting of the department, he discussed in detail about the departmental working system, organizational structure and available staff and requirements.

        He directed the officers to ensure the purchase of hydraulic fire tender vehicles to control fire incidents in multi-storey buildings ranging from 14 floors to 80 floors in the big cities like Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonepat, Panchkula, Rewari, Bahadurgarh, Panipat etc.

        He said that with the purchase of hydraulic fire tender vehicles, the state’s residents will be protected from the harm caused by fire. Previously, vehicles had to be called from Delhi State or from institutions like the airport to extinguish the fire in case of fire in High-rise building.

        The Deputy Chief Minister was apprised that till now there is only one training centre for ‘Fire and Emergency Services’ in Manesar, on which Sh. Dushyant Chautala directed the officers that state-of-the-art training of ‘Fire and Emergency Services’ should be started at a suitable place in the state. He added that the process of establishing the advanced training centre should be expedited so that the employees can be equipped with new equipment. He also asked to explore the possibilities of starting a diploma course related to ‘Fire and Emergency Services’ in this centre so that the youth of the state can get employment post training in private institutions as well.

        Sh. Dushyant Chautala directed the departmental officers to inspect the fire-safety equipment of high-rise buildings, crowded places, malls, theaters etc. in the state so that any accidental fire incidents can be prevented.

        He directed the officers to make an SOP so that on receiving the information of fire, according to the place and distance, the extinguishing vehicle and equipment can be arranged, this will curb the damages caused by the fire.

        Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Sh. T.V.S.N Prasad, Director General, Fire Services, Sh. D.K. Behera, OSD to Deputy Chief Minister, Sh. Kamlesh Bhadoo, besides other senior officers were present on the occasion.

IEP Chandigarh, January 10

Haryana Police has cracked the sensational doctor’s murder that took place in Kurukshetra on January 9, 2023 within 15 hours and arrested five miscreants who had looted cash and jewellery after a brief exchange of fire.

While giving information here today, a spokesman of Haryana Police said that when the police team chasing the accused on Pehwa-Dhand road and asked them to surrender, the miscreants started firing at the team. In retaliation, one of the accused got injured and was admitted in hospital for treatment. Police has also recovered 4 desi katta and one country made pistol from their possession.

Out of the five accused, four are residents of district Kaithal and one hails from district Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.

The accused of killing a lady Doctor in Sector-13, Kurukshetra had escaped after committing loot in the house. The Superintendent of Police Kurukshetra Sh. Surinder Singh Bhoria had constituted a Special Investigation Team to crack the case.

Working on the intelligence and other inputs, police has arrested the accused after a brief exchange of fire.

On January 9, 2023, the accused entered a house located on first floor Atul Clinic in Kurukshetra and killed lady Doctor Vinita Arora besides looting cash and jewellery.

Police remand will be taken by producing the accused in the court for recovery of looted cash and jewelry.

IEP Chandigarh

occasion, Khattar announced the decentralization of the powers of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and giving more autonomy to these small governments to speed up the development works being done in rural areas. Khattar further announced that from now onwards, the Sarpanches, and Chairman of Panchayat Samitis and Zilla Parishads can accord administrative approval for the development works up to Rs. 2 lakh at their level only. No tenders will be floated for all such works, said Khattar. The Chief Minister informed that Junior Engineers can give technical approval for works up to Rs 2 lakh. Similarly, SDO can give technical approval for works ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Short-term tenders will be floated for these works through Haryana Engineering Works Portal. Likewise, XEN will give technical approval for works ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore. The technical approval for the works ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2.5 crore will be given by the Superintending Engineer and the approval of the works above Rs 2.5 crore will be given by the Chief Engineer, informed Khattar. He said that Gram Panchayats also have fixed deposits. Out of these deposits, up to Rs 50 lakh in a year or 10 percent of the deposits, whichever is higher, can be released by the Deputy Commissioner, for any required developmental works to be executed in the villages. “If more than this amount is to be released from these deposits, then the Deputy Commissioner will refer the matter to the State Government,” informed Khattar. The Chief Minister informed that if any PRI falls short of the amount in executing their development works, then the additional amount of Rs 25 lakh given by the State Government will be directly released to the PRIs. However, Rural Development Department will get all the works done above Rs. 25 lakh, informed Khattar. The Chief Minister said that the administrative approval for the work ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore will be given by the Director, Rural Development Department, and technical approval will be given by XEN. Meanwhile, administrative approval for work ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2.5 crore will be given by the Administrative Secretary of concerned department, while the technical approval for all such works ranging of the same amount will be given by the superintending Engineer. The Chief Minister further informed that administrative approval for the development work ranging from Rs 2.5 to Rs. 10 crore will be given by the concerned Minister, while the technical approval will be accorded by the Chief Engineer. He said that administrative approval for the works above Rs 10 crore will be sent to the Chief Minister for final approval, while the technical approval will be given by the Chief Engineer. The Chief Minister informed that with this new system, the execution of development works will be done at a faster pace.Khattar said that the government allocates 7 percent of its revenue to PRIs and Municipal Bodies for development works according to the population size of villages and cities. However, 2 percent is kept in reserve so that additional funds can be provided to financially weak Panchayati Raj institutions and municipal bodies. Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr Amit Agarwal, Additional Director, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department Vivek Kalia were also present on the occasion.

IEP Chandigarh

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said that the Common Eligibility Test (CET) has been conducted for the recruitment of Group C posts, the result of which is going to be declared soon. The recruitment of around 40,000 Group C posts will be advertised once the results are declared. Besides this, the CET exam will also be conducted soon for the recruitment of Group-D posts, and about 17,000 to 20,000 posts will be recruited, he added.

Addressing the media persons, Khattar said that the CET examination is valid for 3 years. Although the CET exam will be conducted every year, any candidate who wants to improve his/her score can re-appear in the exam.

Describing the CMIE unemployment figures as baseless and beyond facts, the Chief Minister said that these figures are based on a very small survey sample. Earlier, the same agency had shown Haryana’s unemployment rate of 2 percent. Khattar informed that in the last 8 years, 50,000 MSME industries have been set up in Haryana. Besides this, 33,06,635 people have got employment opportunities through the private sector and self-employment opportunities.  “Loans have been provided to 16.85 lakh youths under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and 38,000 youths have got self-employment opportunities under Pradhan Mantri Swanidhi Yojana.  Similarly, more than 12.64 lakh youth have got employment in several industrial units,” Khattar added. He further shared that through Antyodaya Utthan Melas, loan applications of around 34,000 applicants have been sanctioned. 

Besides this, around 27,516 applicants have got employment through Rozgar Melas. Also, more than 1 lakh youth have got government jobs on merit basis. He further informed that 1500 different trades have been identified by Shri Vishwakarma Skill University to provide skill training to the youth. The University has tied up with 50 industrial units and these units are providing training as per the need of the industries, shared Sh. Manohar Lal. 

IEP Chandigarh, January 4

The Haryana Government has decided to consider ‘Bachelor of Vocational Degree’ (B. Voc) awarded by any statutory University established under the State or Central Act, equivalent to any other three-year Bachelor Degree for employment purposes where a Bachelor Degree in any discipline is the eligibility condition for employment.Giving information in this regard, the Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal informed that the matter regarding clarification for treating B. Voc equivalent to any other three-year Bachelor Degree for employment was under consideration with the State Government. The Haryana State Higher Education Council (HSHEC) had also recommended to consider B.Voc degree equal to any other three-year Bachelor Degree for employment purposes.Sh. Kaushal said that the state government has now taken this decision in pursuance of the recommendation of University Grants Commission and Haryana State Higher Education Council. In this regard, instructions have also been given to all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Managing Directors and Chief Administrators of Boards, Corporations, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Registrar of Punjab and Haryana High Court to ensure compliance in letter and spirit.

IEP Chandigarh, December 26

The Haryana government is working on the policy of ‘zero tolerance’ in corruption cases. Strict decisions are being taken by our government against the employees and officers involved in corruption. We are working to completely curb corruption in the state. This was stated by Development and Panchayats Minister, Sh. Devender Singh Babli during the winter session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today; in response to the question asked by Ch. Maman Khan regarding corruption in MNREGA during the financial years 2019-20 and 2020-21 in Gram Panchayat Hajipur of Punhana block in Nuh district.

He said that as the complete physical record of works done under MNREGA is not available in the office of Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Punhana; the Department has requested the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India to provide complete digital records. After receiving this record, the inquiry will be completed by the Superintending Engineer, Panchayati Raj Vigilance Wing, Rohtak, within a period of two months. Sh. Devender Babli said that if the vigilance wing of the department fails to complete the probe within a period of two months; then the probe would be handed over to the vigilance.

Responding to another question, Sh. Devender Singh Babli said that after receiving the said investigation report, action will be taken by the government against the guilty officers and employees involved in the alleged corruption in MNREGA works. Giving information to the house, he said that in two districts – Sirsa and Palwal, the government has taken strict action against the employees and officials by getting FIRs registered due to lapses in MNREGA works.

Haryana Cooperation Minister, Dr. Banwari Lal said that boosting station will be constructed at Rajiv Colony and Triveni Johri in Bhiwani city. For this, a budget of Rs. 9.73 crore has been approved.

The Cooperation Minister was replying to a question during the winter session of the Vidhan Sabha here today. 

He said that the matter of one place is pending in the court, which is likely to be settled soon. Apart from this, land has been made available for Dev Nagar and soon a boosting station will be constructed after marking it.

IEP Chandigarh, December 26

Haryana Home Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that 03 persons in district Sonipat and 01 person in district Panipat died on November 22, 2022 due to consumption of spurious and illicit liquor. Besides this, in the year 2016 total 02 people and in the year 2020 total 30 people died in the various districts of the State. Thus total 36 deaths have been registered in different districts from the year 2016 to 2022 (till date) in the State.

Sh. Vij was responding to a calling attention motion moved during the first day of Winters Session in the Vidhan Sabha here today.

Sh. Vij informed that in the year 2016 there were total 2 deaths occurred due to consumption of spurious and illicit liquor. Similarly, a total of 30 deaths occurred in 2020 and a total of 4 deaths occurred in 2022. In order to prevent the business of illegal and spurious liquor in the state, the Police Department has been taking intensive and prompt action at various levels, in which 18136 people were arrested in the year 2016. Apart from this, 363323 licit liquor bottles, 14455 illicit liquor bottles and 21 distilleries, 549884 english liquor bottles and 94968 beer bottles were recovered.

Similarly, in the year 2017, 16233 people were arrested. 884256 licit liquor bottles, 38702 illicit liquor bottles and 22 distilleries, 761047 english liquor bottles and 73910 beer bottles were recovered. In the year 2018, 15265 people were arrested with the recovery of 839051 licit liquor bottles, 23863 illicit liquor bottles and 8 distilleries, 702540 english liquor bottles and 36592 beer bottles were recovered.

In the year 2019, 10670 people were arrested and 827880 licit liquor bottles, 79695 illicit liquor bottles and 10 distilleries, 923972 english liquor bottles and 48104 beer bottles were recovered. In the year 2020, 12341 people were arrested with the recovery of 591834 licit liquor bottles, 84712 illicit liquor bottles and 172 distilleries, 567734 english liquor bottles and 57918 beer bottles.

In the year 2021, 10753 people were arrested, besides 333251 licit liquor bottles, 64695 illicit liquor bottles and 108 distilleries, 355340 english liquor bottles and 31939 beer bottles were recovered. In the year 2022 till December 15, 2022, 13387 people were arrested, besides 401522 licit liquor bottles, 35462 illicit liquor bottles and 54 distilleries, 282872 english liquor bottles and 54132 beer bottles were recovered.

Sh. Vij informed that The Excise and Taxation Department, Haryana is conducting regular checking of liquor vends to ensure that there is no illegal sale of liquor. The district staff has also been directed to ensure that CCTV Cameras are installed in all wholesale licensed premises in the district and the live feed is available to the DETC (Excise), to further curb any illegal sale of liquor. The provisions of the Haryana Excise Act, 1914 have been amended to counter the illegal and spurious liquor. The provisions of section 61 have been made more stringent.

Sh. Vij informed that Vide Order No. 6/2/2020-2HC dated May 11, 2020, the Home Department, Haryana constituted a Special Enquiry Team (SET) under the Chairmanship of Sh. T.C. Gupta, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Power, Empowerment, Renewable Energy and Housing to enquire into the matter of theft of liquor from the recovered stock stored in the temporary warehouse at Kharkhoda-Matindoo Road, Sonipat, Haryana.

On July 30, 2020, the Special Enquiry Team (SET) submitted its report to the Government with the recommendations for taking appropriate action against the individuals officers/officials for the lapses mentioned in the report and also suggested/recommended measures for systematic improvements in functioning of Excise Department.

Sh. Vij further informed that through letter No. 20/64/2020-3S (I) dated August 25, 2020, the Chief Secretary to Government Haryana (Department of Personnel) sent a copy of Report of Special Enquiry Team to the Additional Chief Secretary to Government Haryana, Home Department and Principal Secretary to Government Haryana, Excise and Taxation Department with the request to take necessary action for implementing the recommendations of SET and it was also decided by the Government that the whole matter be got probed by the State Vigilance Bureau. Accordingly, the Chief Secretary to Government Haryana (Department of Personnel) directed Vigilance Department to get the above-mentioned issue probed by the State Vigilance Bureau.

Further, a one-member committee comprising Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal, Chief Secretary has been constituted to study the reports and recommendations of the following Teams/Committees and identify correctional measures required to be taken by various departments and also for initiating suitable action against the defaulters. The investigation will be done by SET headed by Sh. T.C. Gupta, IAS, Report of Committee headed by the Ms. Kalaramchandran IPS, SIT headed by Mr. Shrikan Jadhav IPS and Inquiry being conducted by State Vigilance Bureau. The matter is still under consideration, he added.

Sh. Vij further said sale of illicit liquor was reported during the lockdown for which an SIT was formed under the chairmanship of Sh. T. C Gupta and SIT submitted its report for further special investigation against the officials. The report that came against the officials was investigated by IPS, Ms. Kalaramchandran. He said that for Vigilance investigation, recently DGP Vigilance informed him that statements of 209 liquor contractors have been taken in this case. Besides this, statements of 111 officers/officials have been taken. It was informed that the statements of 869 gazetted and non-gazetted officers of the Excise Department have also been taken and statements of people associated with 23 distilleries have also been recorded.

Sh. Vij further informed that these records are being analysed and vigilance has also registered an FIR, under which a fine of Rs. 63,15,17,600 has been imposed out of which more than Rs. 7 crore has also been recovered. Some cases are still pending in the court and the inquiry is underway. He said, “I hold repulsive image as I don’t spare anyone”.

Regarding the figures raised by an MLA, he responded that I will get these figures checked, if found wrong then it will be investigated and will also inform all the MLAs in this regard. He said that as far as registration of FIR is concerned, people have also been arrested. Three persons from Sonipat namely Ajay, Sunil and Surendra died after consuming a poisonous substance i.e. methyl alcohol instead of ethyl alcohol, used in making liquor. Similarly, Anil of Panipat also consumed spurious liquor. He said that whoever was named in this case has been arrested and further investigation is underway.

Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister, Sh. Devender Singh Babli requested the MLAs to prepare and send estimates of development works under the Vidhayak Adarsh Gram Yojana (VAGY) for their respective constituencies so that the works could be started at the earliest.

He said that on the basis of the population of the villages selected by the MLAs in the state, an amount of up to Rs. 2 crores is provided to each constituency under the Vidhayak Adarsh Gram Yojana (VAGY).

He said this while briefing the House on the first day of the winter session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha today.

Sh. Devender Singh Babli informed that Vidhayak Adarsh Gram Yojana (VAGY) is a state sponsored scheme, which was implemented on July 6, 2015 on the lines of Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana. Under this scheme, initially the MLAs were allowed to adopt villages with a population of 3000 to 7000 in the plain area and 1000 to 3000 in the hilly area of their constituency for development through participation. In the budget session of the year 2016, an amount of Rs. 1 crore was announced to be given to each MLA for this purpose. From the year 2016-17 to 2018-19, an amount of Rs. 90.67 crores were released for 957 development works of the adopted villages.

He informed that from December 26, 2018, an amount of up to Rs. 2 crores are provided to each constituency on the basis of the population of the village for the development works selected by the MLAs in the state. Under the Vidhayak Adarsh Gram Yojana (VAGY), MLAs will get Rs. 50 lakh for a village with a population of up to 5,000, Rs.1 crore for a village with a population of 5,000 to 10,000, and Rs. 2 crores for a village with a population of more than 10,000 can be recommended. This amount can be spent by them in one or more villages.

The Development and Panchayat Minister said that under this scheme, after December 26, 2018, till the year 2021-22, a total amount of Rs. 202.28 crore was released by the State Government for 2,217 development works to be done by the MLAs.

IEP Chandigarh, December 26

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the MLAs who have received an amount of Rs. 5 crore for development works in their constituencies and their works have not been completed or the MLAs who have not received the total amount. In such cases the concerned MLA will intervene and get it completed by the next session or by March 31.The Chief Minister was replying during a discussion on the provision of Local Area Development Fund for the legislators in the state, on the first day of the winter session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today.Sh. Manohar Lal said that the State Government has no plan to make provision for MLALAD on the lines of Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLAD). He said that the objective of the Member of Legislative Assembly is to get development work done in their assembly constituency under any scheme of the government.Sh. Manohar Lal said that the state government had given Rs. 5 crore each to the MLAs for the development work in their constituencies in the year 2014 and 2019. Giving details of Rs 5 crore allocated to MLAs, the Chief Minister apprised the House that there are 67 assembly constituencies where an amount of about Rs 4 to 6 crore has been allocated to each constituency. Apart from this, less amount has been received by 10 assembly constituencies including Dadri, Beri, Garhi Sampla, Kalanaur, Ellenabad, Israna, Adampur, Rewari, Dabwali and Kalanwali.Sh. Manohar Lal urged the MLAs to hold meetings and get information from concerned officers if some development works are pending in any assembly constituency. He made it clear that any development work including education, health, panchayat etc can be done under this allocated amount of Rs 5 crore to MLAs.The Chief Minister said that 90 MLAs would be sent a list of works done in their areas, in which the works whose completion certificates are yet to come would also be included. If any work is left out of this list, then the MLA should inform the government about it, and further action will be taken on it as soon as possible.

IEP Chandigarh, December 26

Haryana Home Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that the acquisition of land for setting up Julana police station is under process. The construction of police station building shall be started thereafter.

Sh. Vij gave this information while responding to a question raised during the first day of Winters Session in the Vidhan Sabha here today.

Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister, Dr. Kamal Gupta said that the storm water drainage pipelines in Sector 7 and Sector 13 of Kurukshetra are not blocked. Sh. Gupta was replying to a question asked by MLA, Sh. Subhash Sudha during the Question Hour in the ongoing winter session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today.

The ULB minister said that during the construction of road and drain from Gita Dwar Pipli to Gate No. 3 of Kurukshetra University, the rain water pipeline of these sectors was damaged; result of which water gets accumulated in these sectors during rainy season. He said that at present no proposal is under consideration to replace the rain water pipelines of Sectors 7 and 13.

Sh. Gupta said that it will cost about Rs 2 crores to repair the damaged pipeline of about one-and-a-half to two kilometers and it will be laid in the near future.

IEP Chandigarh, December 24

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi in New Delhi today. During this, the Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister about the welfare schemes being run by the state government.

Addressing the mediapersons after the meeting, Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the Prime Minister inquired in detail about the schemes being run by the Haryana government and also appreciated them. Among them, mainly the Parivar Pehchan Patra, through which today every citizen is getting the benefits of all the schemes sitting at home without any hassle, was appreciated. Officials of other states including Jammu & Kashmir and Maharashtra are taking information about the Parivar Pehchan Patra scheme. Similarly, the Prime Minister was informed about the plan to make automatic BPL ration cards from January 1, 2023, through PPP; which he appreciated.

The Chief Minister informed that the Haryana government has increased the BPL income limit to Rs 1.80 lakh. Apart from this, disccusion was also held regarding the implementation of Swamitva Yojana in urban areas along with rural areas.

Sh. Manohar Lal said that a detailed discussion was also held regarding the Jungle Safari being made in Haryana with the Prime Minister. Along with this, the Prime Minister has also been invited to lay the foundation stone of the Jungle Safari. He informed that the Prime Minister has also been invited to attend the inauguration of the Surajkund mela. Not only this, G-20 members will also be invited to the Surajkund mela, he added.

The Chief Minister further informed about the exports which have been doubled in the last three years. There was an export of Rs 1.15 lakh crore in the year 2019-20, which has reached Rs 2 lakh crore in the year 2021-22. The GST collection of the state is also increasing continuously. Although Haryana’s population is 2 percent, but Haryana’s share in the country’s GST collection is 6 percent.

Responding to a question regarding cabinet expansion, the Chief Minister said that the departments have been merged to make government functioning more convenient. It has nothing to do with cabinet expansion in any way, he added.

Responding to a question regarding MBBS bond policy, Sh. Manohar Lal said that it is a matter of satisfaction that the MBBS students has accepted the proposal put before them by the government. There are some other demands of the students as well and it will also be considered sympathetically, he added.

Responding to a question on the Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress, the Chief Minister said that this yatra has no effect in Haryana. These types of yatras keep happening in view of election programmes, but what matters is whom the public accepts. There is no enthusiasm among the public regarding this yatra. Congress’s own house is broken, they are taking out Bharat Jodo Yatra with regard to that broken house, he said.

Sh. Manohar Lal said that the matter of following the Covid-19 rules in the Congress’s Bharat Jodo Yatra is absolutely correct. A letter has been written to them to be alert in regard with the Covid-19 pandemic. Their journey has not been stopped. It is the job of the governments to follow any health related alert, he added.