Chandigarh, January 21:

Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij today took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his meeting in Kurukshetra with newly appointed district presidents of the Congress party. Anil Vij said that the entire country is well aware of Rahul Gandhi’s “expertise” — how many elections he has already caused his party to lose. Taking a sarcastic swipe, he remarked that “The knowledge Rahul Gandhi possesses, he has now come to pass on to his grassroots workers.” Sh.Vij added that this is an internal matter of the Congress party and the BJP has nothing to do with it.

The minister was speaking to mediapersons today.

*Democratic elections in BJP, ‘agency system’ in Opposition: Anil Vij explains the major difference between BJP and dynastic parties*

Reacting to the appointment of the BJP’s new National President, Energy Minister Anil Vij said that among all political parties in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party is the only one where leadership is chosen through a truly democratic process. He explained that the process begins with the formation of booth committees, followed by ward committees, district units, state units, and finally the election of the National President.

Taking a dig at Opposition parties, Anil Vij said that unlike dynastic and family-run parties—where leaders are pre-decided—the BJP follows a bottom-up approach. “Our leadership emerges from the grassroots, whereas in Opposition parties the system works top-down. Their high command decides state leaders, who in turn appoint district heads,” he said.

He compared this system to the distribution of agencies, where a company owner appoints state distributors who then appoint district dealers. “Other parties function exactly the same way,” he remarked. Anil Vij further stated that a party which lacks democracy within its own organization cannot be trusted to safeguard the democracy of 140 crore citizens of the country.

*Digvijaya Singh’s speaks in his sleep; RSS taught nationalism” : Vij*

Responding to Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s statement alleging that the RSS instills fear among Hindus while Owaisi does the same among Muslims, Anil Vij strongly countered the remark. He said that “Digvijaya Singh wakes up after long naps and keeps speaking in his sleep.” He asserted that the RSS has always worked to strengthen Hindu society and has instilled the values of nationalism and patriotism in its cadre. Sh. Anil Vij added that whenever a disaster strikes anywhere in the country, RSS volunteers are always the first to step forward to serve the people.

*Anil Vij’s jibe at Surjewala: “He only knows politics, not public welfare”*

Reacting to Congress leader Randeep Surjewala’s tweet claiming that the BJP government has become a punishment for BPL families in Haryana, Anil Vij hit back saying that Surjewala is well aware that no one’s legitimate rights are being taken away. He clarified that BPL benefits are meant for families with an annual income of up to Rs 1.80 lakh, a fact Surjewala knows very well.Taking a sharp jibe, Anil Vij said, “Surjewala only understands politics; he does not understand public welfare.”

Chandigarh, January 21:

Punjab Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Wednesday reiterated the state government’s firm stance on ensuring quality and transparency in the construction of rural sports playgrounds across Punjab. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is developing 3,100 rural sports grounds with the primary objective of steering youth away from drug abuse and motivating them towards sports and healthy lifestyles.

Addressing a press conference here, Minister Sond said that to ensure complete transparency and effective ground-level monitoring, the government has deployed three special flying squads. These squads will act as the “eyes and ears” of the government, conducting surprise inspections in villages to assess the actual progress and quality of work. He categorically stated that mere paperwork will no longer be acceptable and that quality construction on the ground is mandatory.

The Cabinet Minister informed that an MIS (Management Information System) portal has been developed for real-time monitoring of the project. Concerned officials are required to upload progress reports every 15 days along with photographs and geo-tagged evidence of the work carried out.

Sending a strong message on systemic reforms, Sond said that wherever false reporting or negligence in work has been detected, immediate action has been taken. Several officials have already been suspended and show cause notices issued. He made it clear that no political interference will be tolerated in such matters.

He further stated that uniform technical standards have been enforced across Punjab and third-party techno-financial audits are being conducted to ensure quality and financial discipline. “Every single rupee of public money is being accounted for so that rural Punjab receives world-class sports infrastructure,” he said.

The Minister added that sarpanches, gram panchayats and local sports clubs have been made key stakeholders in the initiative. These institutions, he said, are not mere spectators but active partners who will help monitor development works at the village level.

Responding to questions raised by the opposition, Sond said that honest officers have nothing to fear. Action will be taken only against those involved in false reporting, corruption or dereliction of duty. He emphasized that accountability has been made systemic rather than personal.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, the Cabinet Minister said that the Punjab Government is fully dedicated to safeguarding public funds and securing a better future for the youth. “This is the new Punjab, where playgrounds will not only be built but every inch of them will be closely monitored,” he concluded.

Chandigarh, January 21 — Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, while interacting with startup founders and entrepreneurs during a pre-budget consultation programme held today in Manesar, said that young innovators and startups are giving a new direction to Haryana’s economy.

The Chief Minister said ‘National Startup Day’ was celebrated on January 16, and today’s pre-budget consultation is a continuation of that celebration. Referring to the vision of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, he said, “Startup India is not merely a government scheme, but a ‘Rainbow Vision’ that connects different sectors with new possibilities.”

He said a startup is an idea that needs to be given a concrete shape. It is a small seed which, with the right support, can grow into a huge tree.

On this occasion, Haryana’s Industries and Commerce Minister Sh. Rao Narbir Singh, Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Sh. Gaurav Gautam, and Gurugram MLA Sh. Mukesh Sharma were present.

The Chief Minister said with the resolve to make the country developed by the year 2047, the government is continuously working at a fast pace. He said that major and historic changes are being witnessed in the country today. Whether it is road and transport infrastructure or other developmental projects, India is moving ahead at an unprecedented speed. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the country has taken a new direction of development, and progress is clearly visible in every sector.

Emphasis on Funding and Technical Support

Welcoming the suggestions given by startup founders, the Chief Minister said that ideas received on issues such as ‘ease of doing business’, ‘funding’, and ‘technical support’ have been noted. He said, “No matter how small an idea may be, if it has the strength and vision, it does not take long to change the world.”

The Chief Minister informed that over the past 10 years, the number of startups in the country has increased from 500 to more than 2 lakh. Haryana has played a leading role in this growth, especially Gurugram and Manesar. Haryana now has more than 9,500 startups and ranks seventh in the country in this regard. Additionally, 19 unicorns have emerged from Haryana.

Haryana AI Mission to be established

Sharing details of key steps taken in the Budget 2025–26, the Chief Minister said that the future belongs to Artificial Intelligence (AI). With this vision, the Haryana Government has proposed the establishment of the ‘Haryana AI Mission’, for which an assurance of assistance of Rs. 474 crore has been received from the World Bank. Under this mission, one AI hub each will be set up in Gurugram and Panchkula, where 50,000 youth will be trained in new technologies.

He said to promote research in colleges and universities, the ‘Haryana State Research Fund’ has been established with an initial corpus of Rs. 20 crore. Along with this, a ‘Fund of Funds’ of Rs. 2,000 crore has also been created.

The Chief Minister said that to encourage startups, financial assistance of Rs. 10 lakh per startup is being provided through HSIIDC, and the ‘Mukhyamantri Kaushal Samman Yojana’ has been launched. The ‘Haryana State Startup Policy–2022’ is in force in the state, and recently, financial assistance of Rs. 1.14 crore has been provided to 22 startups.

He said that the startup culture will no longer remain limited to big cities. From the academic session 2025–26, ‘entrepreneurship competitions’ will be organized in every district, in which selected teams will be given financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh by the government to convert their ideas into business models.

Considering Manesar as an industrial hub, the Chief Minister said that ‘incubation centres’ will be established in all industrial estates of HSIIDC so that startups can be provided workspaces at affordable rates. For this purpose, land has already been identified by HSIIDC in three IMT areas.

Reiterating the Prime Minister’s vision, the Chief Minister said, “Risk-taking has now become mainstream. Earlier, people were afraid to take risks, but today, not taking risks is considered the biggest risk.”

The Chief Minister expressed pride that more than 50 percent of startups in Haryana have at least one woman director, and the government is committed to supporting women entrepreneurs at every step.

He said that startups and young innovators working in different sectors across the country are the identity of New India. Whether it is the space sector or the defence sector, Haryana’s youth are making their strong presence felt in every field.

The Chief Minister made two requests to everyone—first, to send their suggestions through the chatbot within the next 8 to 10 days; and second, to listen to the Budget 2026–27 when it is presented in the Legislative Assembly.

He said those whose suggestions are included in the budget will be sent special invitations to witness the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, so that they can personally see that the government has honoured their suggestions.

On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Sh. Vineet Garg; Additional Chief Secretary, Citizen Resources Information Department, Smt. G. Anupama; Principal Secretary, Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Department, Sh. Rajiv Ranjan; Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal; Director General, Industries and Commerce Department, Sh. Yash Garg; and OSD to the Chief Minister, Dr. Raj Nehru, were also present.

Chandigarh, January 10 – In a significant milestone in the fight against narcotics, Haryana registered a record 3,738 FIRs under the NDPS Act and arrested 6,801 accused persons during 2025, marking the state’s strongest enforcement action against drug trafficking to date. Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra shared these achievements here today.

From 2020 to 2025, she said that the state registered 20,519 FIRs under the NDPS Act and arrested an impressive 35,207 accused persons during the last six years. This sustained crackdown has sent a strong deterrent message to drug traffickers across the region, with enforcement numbers showing a steady upward trajectory year after year.

The arrests spanned multiple states with the largest numbers coming from Uttar Pradesh with 169 arrests, followed by Punjab with 147, Rajasthan with 64, and Delhi with 45 accused. Other states including Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and several north eastern states also saw their residents arrested in Haryana for drug-related offenses.

Among foreign nationals, authorities apprehended 26 Nigerians, 6 Nepalis, and 1 Senegal (Africa) individual, demonstrating the state’s capability to tackle sophisticated international drug cartels operating within its borders.

The state has achieved particular success in combating commercial drug operations, which represent large-scale trafficking networks. In 2025 alone, authorities registered 457 commercial NDPS cases and arrested 1,227 accused, the highest annual figures in the six-year period. Overall, commercial cases resulted in 2,224 FIRs and 5,824 arrests during the period under report.

Haryana’s anti-narcotics teams have successfully penetrated inter-state and international drug networks with remarkable efficiency. In 2025, a total of 586 accused were arrested, including 553 from other states and 33 foreign nationals, representing a significant increase from 444 arrests in 2024. This showcases the growing reach and effectiveness of Haryana’s enforcement agencies.

Over the six-year period, Haryana has seized narcotics worth hundreds of crores, striking a major blow to drug trafficking networks. The seizures include a staggering 55,701 kilograms of ganja, disrupting cannabis supply chains across northern India. Poppy straw emerged as the largest category with 89,696 kilograms seized, followed by 1,300 kilograms of charas and 229 kilograms of heroin. Notably, in 2025 alone, authorities confiscated 55.84 kilograms of heroin, one of the highest annual seizures for this dangerous narcotic, Dr. Misra added.

Other significant recoveries included 1,819 kilograms of opium, 3,392 kilograms of opium plants, and 814 grams of cocaine over the six-year period. The authorities also seized emerging synthetic drugs including over one kilogram of MD, MDA, and MDMA, along with smaller quantities of methamphetamine, LSD, and brown sugar.

Dr. Misra further informed that in year 2025, enforcement agencies confiscated 18,039 kilograms of poppy straw and 6,257 kilograms of ganja, along with 645 grams of MDMA and 240 grams of cocaine. A particularly concerning category has been pharmaceutical drugs, where authorities seized over 58.44 lakh units including capsules, injections, tablets, and bottles that were being diverted for abuse. In 2025 alone, more than 6.59 lakh pharmaceutical drug units were recovered from illegal channels.

“We are ensuring that crime doesn’t pay,” emphasized Dr. Misra, highlighting the state’s focus on economic disruption of drug networks. From 2007 to 2025, Haryana has seized, frozen, and forfeited properties worth Rs. 67.01 crore belonging to 370 drug traffickers under the NDPS Act. This aggressive asset seizure strategy has proven to be a powerful deterrent, as it directly impacts the financial motivation behind drug trafficking.

In 2025 alone, properties worth Rs. 13.59 crore belonging to 143 affected persons were attached, while in 2023 and 2024, properties worth Rs. 13.27 crore and Rs. 7.55 crore were seized from 61 and 54 individuals respectively. This sustained focus on financial investigation and asset forfeiture ensures that convicted drug dealers cannot enjoy the proceeds of their illegal activities.

To ensure speedy trials and justice, Haryana has established eight operational NDPS Fast Track and Special Courts across the state. These dedicated courts function in the districts of Sirsa, Fatehabad, Ambala, Hisar, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Panipat, exclusively handling NDPS cases to expedite the judicial process.

The first two courts were established in Sirsa and Fatehabad in April 2022, followed by six more courts in February 2023. The state government has demonstrated continued commitment to strengthening the judicial infrastructure, with proposals already submitted for additional dedicated NDPS courts at Yamunanagar, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Rohtak. These proposed courts will further enhance the capacity for swift justice and reduce case backlogs in high-incidence areas.

Under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1988, Haryana has detained 147 hardcore drug offenders from 2022 to 2025, effectively neutralizing habitual offenders who posed a continuing threat to society. The numbers show a dramatic increase in the use of this preventive measure, with just three detentions in 2022, rising sharply to 51 in 2023, 12 in 2024, and 76 in 2025. This preventive action has proven crucial in breaking the cycle of repeat offenses by known drug traffickers.

“Prevention through awareness is our strongest weapon,” stated Dr. Misra, highlighting the state’s comprehensive outreach programs that complement enforcement efforts. Haryana has conducted an impressive 18,540 anti-drug awareness programmes across the state, reaching 28.46 lakh participants from all walks of life. These programmes have been strategically designed to target schools, colleges, workplaces, and community centers to maximize impact.

Chandigarh, January 10. Haryana’s decisive crackdown on organized crime and extortion rackets is now yielding strong, visible results. Compared to 2024, the state recorded a remarkable 40% reduction in extortion-related incidents in 2025. Not only this, but police teams successfully foiled nine major targeted-murder conspiracies, preventing large-scale criminal violence and restoring public confidence.

High-Level Review at Police Headquarters

These developments were shared during a high-level review meeting chaired by Director General of Police Ajay Singhal at the Police Headquarters. Opening the session, DGP Singhal highlighted the growing threats posed by gangsters and their overseas handlers, making it clear that no individual spreading fear or intimidation in the state will be spared.

Zero Tolerance for Terror-Like Activities

Emphasizing an uncompromising approach, DGP Singhal stated that individuals who create an atmosphere of fear among citizens will be treated on par with terrorists and dealt with under the harshest provisions of law. He stressed that the only effective way to dismantle organized crime is to examine the entire structure of these gangs and strike at the core sources of their power.

STF Presentation Highlights International Links

During the meeting, IG STF Satish Balan delivered a detailed presentation outlining the operational architecture and technological mechanisms used by organized criminal groups. He revealed that several gangsters operate from foreign locations, managing their network through social media platforms, encrypted applications and internet-based calling systems. Using virtual numbers and fake online identities, these criminals issue instructions, coordinate operations and even attempt recruitment from abroad.

Close Surveillance on Criminals Operating From Overseas

IG Balan informed attendees that STF is maintaining continuous surveillance on such individuals and is working in close coordination with international agencies to facilitate their deportation. DGP Singhal stressed the need to strengthen this coordination further, noting that no country wants to shelter criminals, and cooperation at the global level is essential.

Rising Influence of Gangsters on Youth a Serious Concern

The meeting also raised concern over the growing trend of young people being influenced by gangsters through rapidly expanding social media channels. Criminals lure impressionable youth into performing minor tasks and gradually push them into serious offences, while gang leaders remain protected in remote or foreign locations.

Focus on Prevention and Public Awareness

To counter this trend, officials recommended expanding awareness and counselling programs among youth alongside ongoing technical surveillance. They also emphasized the need to map specific regions where criminal influence is rising, enabling targeted prevention measures at the grassroots level.

Directive to Strike at the Root of Organized Crime

The meeting concluded with a strong directive from DGP Singhal to intensify and sustain the campaign against organized crime. He stated that this fight cannot end with arrests alone—it must continue until the entire ecosystem of organized crime, including its financial foundation, is dismantled completely.

Chandigarh/Narnaul.
January 10, 2026

The Congress party has adopted an aggressive stance against the Central Government’s attempts to alter the original structure of MNREGA. Under the “Save MNREGA Campaign,” the party has begun organizing press conferences across the state as part of a well-planned strategy. As part of this campaign, press conferences were held simultaneously at all district headquarters, including Narnaul, under the leadership of State Congress President Rao Narendra Singh.
Addressing the press conference, Rao Narendra Singh said that MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), implemented by the UPA government in 2005, is a rights-based law that provides every rural household with a legal right to demand employment. He said that for the past 20 years, MNREGA has remained the lifeline of rural India.
Rao Narendra Singh stated that during the difficult period of the COVID pandemic, MNREGA provided employment to 4.6 crore families. The scheme functions as the backbone of rural livelihood security. Every year, 5 to 6 crore families receive employment under MNREGA, which helps reduce migration from rural areas to cities. He added that women’s participation accounts for nearly 60 percent of the total person-days generated under MNREGA.
The State President said that the UPA government ensured that even the last person in society had the right to demand work. Any unemployed person in rural areas could demand work from the government without any qualification, and employment had to be provided within 15 days.
He alleged that the Central Government is now preparing to scrap MNREGA and replace it with the (GRAM G) – Viksit Bharat Rozgar Aajeevika Guarantee Mission Bill, which abolishes the legal guarantee of work, weakens village communities and panchayats, and gives the Central Government the authority to decide in which states the scheme will be implemented and in which it will not.
Rao Narendra Singh said that earlier, nearly 90 percent of MNREGA expenditure was borne by the Central Government, with only 10 percent borne by state governments. Now, however, up to 40 percent of the burden is being shifted to the states. State governments are already under heavy debt, and in such a situation, they will be unable to make payments, leading to the gradual shutdown of MNREGA.
He warned that this would result in a sharp increase in rural unemployment, exploitation of families without minimum wages, increased migration to cities, and the erosion of powers and rights of gram panchayats.
During the press conference, District President Satbir Yadav said that this is a well-planned conspiracy by the BJP government against MNREGA. He termed it the daylight murder of MNREGA, a robbery of the rights of crores of workers, and a direct attack on the livelihood of the working class. He said the right of the poor to demand work is being snatched away. He added that over 90 percent of MNREGA beneficiaries come from Dalit and backward classes, and this is a conspiracy to deprive them of social justice.
State Youth Congress President Nishit Kataria said that under the MNREGA scheme introduced by the Congress government, every family was guaranteed a minimum of 100 days of work by law. Now, beneficiaries will be left without any legal guarantee, and work will be available only in villages selected by the Central Government.
District Women Congress President Dr. Raj Sunesh said that MNREGA legally guaranteed minimum wages, but after the changes made by the Modi government, work will not be available during crop-harvesting seasons and wages will be fixed arbitrarily by the government.
Calling the situation extremely shameful, Rao Narendra Singh said that gram panchayats are now being sidelined. Earlier, development work in villages was carried out through gram panchayats with the support of MNREGA mates and employment assistants. Now, the government will decide who works where and on what, and workers will not even receive assistance from mates or employment assistants.
He asserted that the Congress party will continue its struggle—from the streets to Parliament—to protect MNREGA and the rights of rural workers.
Those present on the occasion included Mahender Ratan, Manoj Patikara, Youth Block President Ravindra Mandi, Ram Singh Joya, Tota Ram Kohli, Advocate Kuldeep Bhardgarh, OBC President Vikram Awana, former judge Rakesh Yadav, Professor Bhup Singh, Seva Dal President Ajit Yadav, Avinash Mandi, Shyam Sunder Soni, Chairman Dalip Singh, Professor Rajbir, Shakti Mandhana, Rewari Youth President Raj Prakash, and several other Congress workers.