Chandigarh July 28: Teej festival was celebrated with traditional gaiety today across various districts of Haryana. The festival stands as a symbol of the state’s rich folk culture, women’s dignity, and traditional values. To mark the occasion, district-level programs were organized in the state, with Ministers participating as chief guests and joining the celebrations.

  Teej festival celebrates cultural expression and social empowerment of women: Deputy Speaker Dr. Krishan Lal Midha

Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Dr. Krishan Lal Midha while addressing women  during the Teej festival celebrations held at the auditorium of Chaudhary Ranbir Singh University in Jind said that the festival is not only a symbol of our connection with nature but also a celebration of women’s cultural expression and social empowerment. “Today is a special day for us as we witness the inauguration of Mahila Sanskritik Kendras. This initiative will provide women with a platform to showcase their skills, art, and culture, and marks an important step towards making them self-reliant,” he added. Earlier, Dr. Krishan Lal Midha encouraged women from self-help groups by distributing Kothlis on the occasion. He said that the Hariyali Teej festival symbolizes the faith, beauty, and unity of women. Swings, folk songs, mehndi, and traditional costumes bring vibrancy to the festival, reminding us of our rich cultural roots.

Mahila Sanskritik Kendras to be established in every village: Cabinet Minister Sh Krishan Lal Panwar

Haryana Development and Panchayats Minister Sh Krishna Lal Panwar, who was the chief guest at the district-level Teej celebrations organized by the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission (HSRLM) at the auditorium of Chaudhary Devi Lal University in Sirsa, said that the government will open Mahila Sanskritik Kendra in every village. He said that in Sanskritik Kendras to be established in rural areas, women will have opportunities to engage in activities such as dance and bhajan music, promoting art and culture. Today, eight Mahila Sanskritik Kendra were inaugurated in Sirsa, along with the opening of 86 e-libraries. Congratulating everyone on the Teej festival, the Minister highlighted that both the state and central governments are continuously working to uphold the respect and empowerment of women through new schemes. He further said that in the recently held elections for 25 municipal corporations, municipal councils, and municipal committees, 65 percent of the elected representatives were women. “Today, women’s power is leading everywhere from flying airplanes to serving in the armed forces,” he said.

Teej festival symbolizes women’s good fortune, prosperity, and cultural identity: Mahipal Dhanda

Haryana Education Minister Sh Mahipal Dhanda attended the district-level Teej Mahotsav program in Fatehabad as the chief guest. He stated that Teej is a festival that symbolizes women’s good fortune, prosperity, and cultural identity. The festival not only revives our traditions but also strengthens women’s empowerment. Minister Sh Mahipal Dhanda emphasized that women today are showcasing their talents across all fields, balancing progress with tradition. He added that the Haryana government is actively promoting cultural activities in schools to help the younger generation stay connected to their roots. Folk dance, songs, rangoli, and handicrafts nurture creativity and build confidence in children. He described today’s program as an inspirational initiative in this direction.

Teej is not just a festival, but a symbol of respect for our cultural heritage and women’s power: Dr. Arvind Sharma

Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma attended the district-level Teej Mahotsav program in Sonipat.  On this occasion, he inaugurated Sanskritik Kendra in 10 villages. While addressing the program, he said that Teej is not merely a festival but a symbol of respect for our cultural heritage and women’s empowerment. This festival is deeply connected with love and tradition. When women swing in traditional attire, singing folk songs amidst the greenery and drizzle of Sawan, it beautifully reflects the soul of our land. He encouraged women to join the Sanskritik Kendra established by the Haryana government in villages to create new songs and bhajans and promote cultural activities. Highlighting the festival’s significance, Cabinet Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma said Teej is not just a tradition but also an opportunity to strengthen social harmony, family bonds, and cultural identity. He urged the youth to stay connected with their folk culture alongside modernity and to recognize their roots through festivals like Teej.

Government committed to the upliftment of women: Sh Krishan Kumar Bedi

Haryana Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sh Krishan Kumar Bedi while addressing  the district-level Teej Mahotsav in Bhiwani said that  Teej is a sacred and joyous festival for women, marking a month filled with excitement and enthusiasm. He emphasized that festivals like Teej keep our culture alive and bring people together through auspicious songs and rituals. He highlighted the tradition where brothers visit their sisters with a Kothli during Teej, symbolizing the sacred bond and love between siblings. He said sisters eagerly await their brothers’ arrival on this special day. Affirming the government’s commitment, he said that the government always stands with women to protect their rights and promote their welfare.

Chandigarh, July 27 – The Haryana Government is committed to making Gurugram a clean city. Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Local Bodies Department, Sh. Vikas Gupta held a high-level meeting on Sunday to discuss cleanliness measures for Gurugram. MLA, Sh.  Mukesh Sharma, Divisional Commissioner, Sh. R.C. Bidhan, Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Ajay Kumar, Municipal Commissioner, Sh. Pradeep Dahiya, Mayor, Smt. Raj Rani Malhotra and nodal HCS officers for sanitation were present.

Sh. Vikas Gupta directed that the number of door-to-door garbage collection vehicles must be increased within the next three days. Each officer was directed to arrange 10 additional vehicles at their level, with the cooperation of municipal councillors. He directed the Municipal Commissioner to install GPS devices in these vehicles. He also directed that all main roads and sector-dividing roads must be kept clean and that garbage trolleys should be removed from these areas.

Sh. Vikas Gupta emphasized that garbage tends to pile up where waste is already lying and he directed that garbage be regularly lifted from all secondary collection points. He also sought cooperation from MLA, Sh. Mukesh Sharma to raise public awareness about waste management.

Sharing his experience,  Sh. Vikas Gupta said that there should be proper mapping to track which house’s waste is collected by whom and where it is disposed of. He directed that a C&D waste management plan should be prepared within the next three days. He assured that there is no shortage of resources to make Gurugram clean and that the Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has directed that any required resources should be made available immediately.

He further said that people commenting on social media about cleanliness will also be involved in these efforts.

MLA, Sh.  Mukesh Sharma shared that garbage from Delhi is being dumped daily at several locations like Bajghera near Dwarka Expressway, Wazirabad, and Sector-21. He also pointed out the presence of thousands of illegal slums in these areas, where illegal activities like garbage sorting are taking place. Taking note of his concerns,  Sh. Vikas Gupta directed municipal officers to take necessary action at these locations and assured that all of MLA Sharma’s suggestions would be carefully considered and implemented.

Gurugram Divisional Commissioner, Sh. R.C. Bidhan also directed that from Monday onwards, all municipal officers should be on the field to improve the city’s arrangements within a week, with the active participation of municipal councillors.

Municipal Commissioner, Sh. Pradeep Dahiya informed that an intensive sanitation drive has already been launched, with ward-wise Junior Engineers (JEs) deployed to ensure cleanliness in the field. He also assured that the directions regarding C&D waste management will be strictly implemented.

Chandigarh, July 21, 2025 — Taking serious note of a disturbing complaint, the Haryana Human Rights Commission has issued a strong directive in favour of an 82-year-old ShriArjanDevAggarwal and his 72-year-old wife Smt. Vijay Aggarwal, residents of Sector 9, Panchkula, who have accused their son and daughter-in-law of sustained mental harassment, neglect, and coercion to transfer property.

According to the complaint, despite being elderly and suffering from severe health conditions requiring multiple surgeries, the couple has been subjected to isolation, verbal abuse, and psychological trauma while living under the same roof with their son and daughter-in-law. The complainants allege they were threatened to move into an old-age home and were even falsely implicated in a domestic violence case. They had also filed an application for eviction under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 before the Senior Citizen Tribunal in Panchkula on January 18, 2025, but have received no relief so far.

The Commission observed that:

• Under Section 4 of the Act, senior citizens are entitled to claim maintenance from their children;
• Under Section 23, any property transferred on the condition of care, if not fulfilled, can be declared null and void;
• Section 24 makes it a punishable offence to abandon a senior citizen.

Justice LalitBatra, Chairperson of the Haryana Human Rights Commission, noted that such treatment is not only a violation of the 2007 Act but also a gross infringement of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the right to live with dignity. He termed the conduct of the respondents as a clear case of abuse, neglect, and coercion.

In light of the prima facie evidence of elder abuse, the Commission has directed the Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula to:

• Ensure immediate protection to the elderly couple through local police or other concerned authorities;
• Expedite proceedings before the Senior Citizen Tribunal and provide necessary administrative assistance;
• Submit an action-taken report to the Commission before the next date of hearing.

Dr.PuneetArora, Protocol, Information & Public Relations Officer of the Commission, informed that the next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for September 23, 2025, and copies of the Commission’s order have been sent to the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Police, Panchkula, as well as to the complainants for necessary compliance.

Chandigarh, July 20

The Haryana Government, under its “Zero Tolerance for Crime” policy, has taken significant and effective measures to strengthen law and order in the state. Compared to previous years, the crime rate has witnessed a marked decline. Focused actions are being undertaken to ensure women’s safety, control cybercrime, and crack down on the drug mafia and gangster networks. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to make Haryana a safer and more law-abiding state.

Calling the recent statements made by the opposition on the issue of crime in the state, as misleading and factually baseless, an official spokesperson said such remarks are nothing but an attempt to spread fear among the public and misguide citizens. The spokesperson further added that if the opposition leaders had objectively compared police data from 2004–2014 with that from 2014–2024, they would not have made such careless and irresponsible claims.

*Strict Action must be Taken Against Criminals, CM issues strict directives on Law and Order*

Reaffirming his firm stance on public safety, Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has issued unequivocal directives to uphold a robust and responsive law and order system across Haryana. Chairing a recent high-level meeting with Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, the Chief Minister stressed that strict and uncompromising action must be taken against criminals, and no leniency will be tolerated.

He said that ensuring the safety and security of citizens is the foremost responsibility of the state government. There is zero room for negligence when it comes to protecting the people,  he said, adding that a strong law and order framework is the very backbone of peace and sustainable development.

The Chief Minister continues to personally monitor the law and order situation across the state and frequently issues strategic directions to senior police officers. His consistent focus remains on ensuring transparency, accountability, and swift action at every administrative level.

Citing figures from the Haryana State Crime Records Bureau, the spokesperson shared that during the Congress regime (2004–2014), the average annual increase in crime was as high as 18.69%. In contrast, during the 2014–2024 period, most crime categories, except snatching, have shown negative growth trends. For example, murder cases increased from 733 in 2004 to 1,106 in 2014, reflecting a 3.81% annual increase. However, by 2024, the number of murder cases declined to 966, demonstrating a significant drop.

From January 1 to June 30, 2025, the state recorded a clear reduction in several major crime categories compared to the same period in 2024. Murder cases decreased by 7%, robbery dropped by 30.13%, snatching incidents reduced by 11.64%, burglary went down by 13.27%, general theft declined by 6.55%, and rape cases fell by 26.14%. There was also a 16.67% drop in kidnapping cases and a 16.90% reduction in molestation and sexual harassment cases.

*Strict action taken by STF Haryana against organized crime and criminal network*

The spokesperson said that under a major crackdown on organized crime and criminal networks, STF Haryana, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, has arrested a large number of wanted criminals, gangsters, gang members, and those involved in serious crimes since 2023. STF has arrested 433 most-wanted criminals with cash rewards on their heads, 248 gangsters and gang members, and 792 individuals involved in heinous crimes since 2023 till date.

In several high-profile encounters, STF Haryana neutralised some of the most notorious criminals. These include Ashish alias Lallu, Sunny Kharad, and Vicky Ridhana, accused in multiple heinous crimes, including Sunder murder case in murthal, Sonipat, the Mahindra showroom firing case in Hisar.

Deepak alias Furtilla, linked to a triple murder at a liquor vend near Delhi Bypass in Rohtak, was killed in an encounter. Sagar, involved in the murder of BSP leader Harbilas in Naraiangarh, was also killed in encounter with STF Ambala.

Romil Vohra, a wanted criminal involved in the December 2024 triple murder in Kheri Lakha Singh village of Yamunanagar, the murder of liquor trader Shantanu in Shahabad, and other heinous crimes, was killed during an encounter with STF Haryana Police. In 2024, Haryana Police was involved in 42 encounters with gang-linked criminals. In these incidents, 7 dreaded criminals were killed and 57 others were seriously injured. So far in 2025, 33 such encounters have taken place in which 5 notorious criminals were killed and 44 others seriously injured. In all these encounters, Haryana Police personnel showed extraordinary bravery by risking their lives and confronting heavily armed criminals.

The STF has also actively pursued international fugitives. In coordination with central agencies, STF Haryana has issued 83 Look Out Circulars (LOCs), 37 Red Corner Notices (RCNs), 27 Interpol references, and initiated the cancellation of 21 passports. Notably, 9 absconding criminals who were operating from abroad and orchestrating serious crimes in Haryana have been successfully deported or extradited, dismantling their gang networks in the state.

Additionally, some criminals who are hiding in foreign countries like rats in burrows and still committing crimes will be brought out and eliminated. The process of their extradition is underway in coordination with the concerned central agencies. The extradition process for criminals hiding in the USA, UK, Georgia, and Australia is in its final stages, and they will soon be brought back to Haryana.

To further improve law enforcement, digital surveillance systems have been strengthened at both police station and district levels. The expansion of CCTV networks, women helpline services, crime control rooms, and the establishment of fast-track courts have expedited the judicial process and enhanced public safety mechanisms.