Chandigarh, January 6 – Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs, Sh Manohar Lal and Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini jointly chaired the meeting of the Lohgarh Project Development Committee today. The committee was formed to oversee the development of the world-class Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial, which will be built at Lohgarh in Yamunanagar district. It is noteworthy that the Haryana Government has constituted the Lohgarh Project Development Committee to monitor the progress of the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial at Lohgarh. Union Minister Sh Manohar Lal serves as the Chief Patron of the Committee, while Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini act as its Chairman.

During the meeting, Union Minister Sh Manohar Lal directed the officials to accelerate the progress of establishing the world-class heritage memorial, ensuring that the project is completed and dedicated to the public at the earliest.

He said that Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial should primarily focus on the biography of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, which should reflect the heroic saga of his bravery and sacrifice. He also suggested that the memorial should also feature a museum dedicated to the battles fought by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and other Sikh Gurus against the Mughals across the country. The design of the memorial should aim to educate the public, especially the younger generation, about the history and valiant contributions of Veer Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. Apart from this, he also suggested that the establishment of the memorial should also focus more on promoting the traditional Sikh martial arts that were practiced in the past.

It was apprised in the meeting that the project would be completed in two phases. The first phase, which will cost approximately Rs 74 Crore, will focus on restoring and enhancing the fort, constructing the Quilanuma Wall, building an entrance gate, Nanakshahi coin, landscaping the site, and building the memorial. In addition, a state-of-the-art museum will be constructed, combining Baba Banda Singh Bahadur’s life story with modern technology to create an immersive experience for visitors.

The memorial at Lohgarh, the first capital of the ‘Sikh Raj’ established by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, would reignite the story of his extraordinary bravery valor and sacrifice.

A grand Museum dedicated to preserving and enriching Sikh Culture to be built on three acres of land in Kurukshetra’s Pipli

Later, while chairing a review meeting on the establishment of the Sikh Museum in Kurukshetra district, Sh Manohar Lal said, “If there is any place in Haryana where the feet of the Gurus have touched the ground the most, it is the sacred land of Kurukshetra.” He further said that the state government has decided to set up a grand museum dedicated to the preservation and enrichment of Sikh culture on three acres of land in Kurukshetra’s Pipli. He said that inspired by the values and ideals of the Sikh Gurus, the museum would act as a “repository of inspiration” for future generations.

Tourism Minister Sh Arvind Sharma, former Minister Sh. Kanwar Pal, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. Arun Gupta, Principal Secretary, Heritage and Tourism Smt Kala Ramachandran, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. Yashpal Yadav, OSD to Chief Minister Sh. B.B. Bharti, former Member of Parliament Sardar Tarlochan Singh, Sikh historian and Dr Jaspal Singh Chairman Haryana State Bio-diversity Board Sardar Randeep  Singh Jauhar, Chairman Sigma Group Sardar Jagdeep Singh Chadha, OSD Dr Prabhleen Singh and other officers were also present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, January 6 – Haryana Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr. Krishan Kumar Bedi, has unveiled various development projects worth Rs. 2.45 crore for the village of Dablain in the Narwana Assembly constituency. On Monday, the Minister laid the foundation for the renovation and expansion of the village’s water works, with an investment of Rs. 1.61 crore allocated by the Public Health Engineering Department. Additionally, the Minister announced a grant of Rs. 83 lakh for the construction of chaupals (community centers) and other development projects in the village.

While addressing a rural gathering at the village’s government school, Minister Mr. Bedi said that the villagers had long been requesting sufficient and clean drinking water. The renovation and expansion work of the water works is now underway to address this demand. Furthermore, he shared that the Chief Minister had approved a proposal to upgrade the local secondary school to a higher secondary school, extending its classes up to the 12th grade. The Minister expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister on behalf of the villagers.

The Minister also made several key announcements for rural development. He announced a fund of Rs. 38 lakh for a general chaupal, of which Rs. 28 lakh had already been approved, and an additional Rs. 10 lakh will be allocated. He announced a fund of Rs. 10 lakh each for the construction of the Bajigar Chaupal and Chamaar Chaupal, Rs. 15 lakh for the Brahmin Chaupal, Rs. 21 lakh for a digital library, and Rs. 10 lakh for the Valmiki Chaupal. It is important to note that Rs. 21 lakh had already been approved for the Valmiki Chaupal.

In response to the villagers’ requests, the Minister directed the concerned departments to prepare estimates for a herbal park, a solar system for the school, a multi-purpose hall, a basketball court, the construction of additional classrooms based on student strength, the building of a sub-health center, the construction of a stadium with gym facilities, and the erection of a boundary wall. He also instructed the gram panchayat to provide land for these projects.

During his address, Minister Mr. Bedi urged the villagers to rise above party politics and work together with unity for the development of their village. He said that the present government’s focus is solely on development, and he will continue to make personal efforts in this direction. He assured that the state government considers all of Haryana and its people as one, with their progress being the top priority. The Minister also expressed his gratitude to the voters of the region for their support in the recent elections, promising to repay the faith of the voters through ongoing development projects in the area.

Chandigarh, January 6

  Haryana Governor Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya today paid his homage to the 10th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, on the auspicious occasion of his Parkash Parv, and highlighted the timeless relevance of the teachings of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji and their importance in fostering harmony, courage, and universal brotherhood.

Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya emphasized Sri Guru Govind Singh Ji’s unparalleled contributions to humanity, particularly his ideals of selflessness, equality, and service. The Governor urged the citizens of the country to imbibe these teachings in their daily lives for the welfare of society. “Sri Guru Govind Singh Ji’s life stands as a beacon of inspiration for generations. His vision of universal well-being, social justice, and unity remains profoundly relevant in today’s world. Let us all commit to living by his principles and contribute to building a compassionate and harmonious society,” said Shri Dattatraya.

The Governor also expressed his admiration for the Sikh community’s steadfast commitment to the values of sacrifice, bravery, and selfless service, which were epitomized by the Guru’s life and legacy. He called upon the people to come together to celebrate this auspicious occasion with devotion and a resolve to uphold the values taught by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Governor Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya also extended his best wishes to the people, praying for peace, prosperity, and unity for Haryana and the nation.

Haryana Police Intensifies Crackdown on Crime, Records 14.62% Crime Reduction in 2024 Compared to 2023; 23,341 Fewer FIRs Registered

Significant Decline in Crimes Against Women: Rape cases down by 19.24%, Attempt to Rape by 43.72%, Eve-teasing by 36.82%, and Dowry Deaths by 14%

1979 Hotspots and 443 Vulnerable Routes Identified for Women’s Safety in the State

Police Assistance Reaches Within 6 Minutes 41 Seconds of Receiving Complaints on the Haryana Police Helpline

Significant Reduction in SC/ST Act Atrocities Cases: 35.35% Decline Recorded, 4,943 Rowdies Identified

Curbs on Drug Trafficking: 3331 Cases Registered under the NDPS Act, 5094 Criminals Arrested, Including 950 Major Traffickers of Commercial Quantity

13288 Individuals and 3134 Missing Children Reunited with Their Families; 1378 Child Beggars and 1565 Child Labourers Rescued

Success in Tackling Gangs: 1201 Criminals of 402 Gangs Apprehended, 2106 Cases Solved, and 460 Most Wanted Criminals Arrested

Chandigarh, January 3. Haryana Police is taking strict cognizance to prevent crime in Haryana, resulting in a significant decline in murder cases. In 2023, a total of 1,042 cases were registered, while in 2024, only 950 cases were recorded. This is the first time in 15 years that such a decline in murder cases has been observed in the Haryana state. This data indicates a remarkable reduction in murder cases in the state.

Providing information in this regard, Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur said that due to the concerted efforts of the Haryana Police to control crime, a 14.62% decrease in crime has been observed in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2023, 1,59,610 cases were registered, while in 2024, 1,36,269 cases were registered, which is 23,341 fewer than the previous year. This figure indicates a decline in crime. Thus, 23,341 fewer cases were registered in 2024 compared to last year. Similarly, in 2024, there has been a decrease in crime against women in the state compared to 2023, such as a 19.24% decline in rape cases, 43.27% less cases of attempts to rape, 36.83% less incidents of eve-teasing, and 14% fewer dowry deaths.

Women’s Safety a Priority – 1979 Hotspots and 443 Sensitive Routes Are Identified: The DGP Shatrujeet Kapur said that necessary steps are being taken in the Haryana state to ensure women’s safety. To provide a safe environment for women, 1979 crowded hotspot areas and 443 sensitive locations have been identified in the state where the possibility of eve-teasing is relatively high. 1381 CCTV cameras have been installed on these routes, and police personnel have been specially deployed at these sensitive locations and routes to take swift action against harassers, resulting in a significant decline in crimes against women. Police assistance is being provided within approximately 6 minutes and 41 seconds after receiving complaints on the Haryana Police helpline 112, which was 16 minutes 14 seconds at the time of its launch in 2021.

This year, the number of rape cases, which were 1772 in 2023, has decreased to 1431. Thus, a significant 19.24% decline has been recorded in these cases, which is the lowest in the last 7 years. Similarly, a considerable decline has also been recorded in cases of attempted rape. In 2023, a total of 199 cases were registered, while in 2024, a total of 112 cases were registered, resulting in a significant 43.72% decline. This level of cases was seen in 2015. A significant decline has also been observed in eve-teasing cases. In 2023, a total of 2265 cases were registered, while in 2024, a total of 1431 cases were registered, resulting in a 36.82% decrease. The crime rate per lakh individuals in eve-teasing cases in 2023 was 7.5, which has now decreased to 4.7. A 14% decline has also been recorded in dowry death cases.

Similarly, to strengthen the sense of security among women, the Haryana Police has launched a Trip Monitoring Service. Women travelling alone can avail this service by simply making a call to 112. To avail of this facility, a woman only needs to call 112 and inform about the time and location of her journey. Till date, 114 women have used this service. The Haryana Police team monitors the journey until the woman reaches her destination safely. Apart from this, a database of public transport such as autos, etc. is being prepared by affixing unique numbers inside and outside the vehicles. Through this unique number, the Haryana Police has access to the complete details of the vehicle driver, such as name, address, mobile number, etc. So far, the Haryana Police has prepared a database of 83% of such vehicles across the state.

Significant Decline in SC/ST Act Cases: In 2023, a total of 1539 cases were registered, while in 2024, a total of 995 cases were registered. Thus, a significant 35.35% decline has been recorded. The Haryana Police has so far identified 4943 rowdies who are constantly monitored to take necessary precautions before an incident occurs and to maintain a sense of security among the general public.

Significant Decline in Other Crimes: The DGP Shatrujeet Kapur said that a massive decline has also been observed in other crimes in the state. In 2023, a total of 122 cases of robbery were registered, while in 2024, only 74 such cases were reported. Thus, a 39.34% decline has been observed in robbery cases. This is the first time in the last twenty years that such a decline has been seen. In 2023, a total of 17,860 vehicles were stolen, which has decreased to 15,577 in 2024. Thus, a significant 12.78% decline has been recorded in motor vehicle theft cases. This level of decline in motor vehicle cases was last seen in 2016. In 2023, a total of 487 cases of extortion were registered, while in 2024, a total of 416 cases were registered resulting, in a decrease of 14.58% in such cases.

A decrease of 657 road accidents has been recorded in 2024 compared to 2023. Along with this, there has also been a decrease of 279 deaths in road accidents in 2024 compared to 2023, and 432 fewer people were injured. A record decline has also been observed in fatal road accidents. In 2023, a total of 4652 cases occurred, which has decreased to 4389 this year, which is 5.65% less than the previous year. A decrease of 657 road accidents and 279 deaths in road accidents has been recorded in 2024 compared to 2023. This is the first time in the last ten years that such a decline has been observed in road accident cases. He said that in 2024, the Haryana Police conducted 2366 road safety awareness campaigns in which 3 lakh 16 thousand 414 children and individuals participated. Similarly, the Haryana Police conducted campaigns to ensure compliance with lane driving rules in the state, in which challans were issued to 3,86,266 vehicle drivers violating lane driving rules.

Intensive Checking Campaigns and Operation Aakraman: Mr. Kapur said that nakas (checkpoints) are set up at different locations at night to keep an eye on suspicious and criminal-minded individuals. During this time, vehicles passing through the roads are checked intensively. Regularly, operations like ‘Operation Aakraman’ are conducted with the aim of breaking the backbone of crime and criminals. During these operations, teams across the state conduct raids and arrest criminals. In 2024, 10 such operations were conducted, registering 4239 FIRs and arresting 8307 criminals. The Haryana Police has successfully solved 2106 cases by apprehending 1201 criminals from 402 gangs in 2024, and 460 most wanted criminals have been sent behind bars.

A crackdown has also been initiated against drug traffickers. Under the NDPS Act, 3331 cases were registered and 5094 criminals were arrested, including 950 major traffickers involved in 438 cases of commercial quantities. In these cases, 31.9 kilograms of heroin, 367.67 kilograms of charas, 9099.6 kilograms of ganja, 408.2 kilograms of opium, 15658.4 kilograms of poppy straw, 3,28,560 narcotic capsules, 13,453 injections, and 701526 narcotic pills were seized. So far, action has been taken against a total of 63 habitual drug traffickers under the PIT NDPS Act. In 2024, the property worth Rs. 7.04 crores of 25 drug traffickers has been seized.

To keep people away from drugs, sports activities are being organized: To keep children away from crime and drugs, sports activities are being organized in rural and urban areas so that children can remain physically and mentally healthy. The Haryana Police is regularly organizing sports activities in 2617 villages and wards, involving 2,73,491 youth. The Haryana Police also organizes large-scale sports competitions for these players from time to time. Not only this, but youth are also being informed about the recruitment process in the police, etc., so that they can prepare for these competitive exams and apply. The Haryana Police has declared 46.55% of the villages and 41.81% of the wards/colonies in the state as drug-free.

Feedback Cell: In 2024, the Haryana Police started a feedback cell to take feedback from complainants regarding the complaints received by the police. This entire system has been centralized to ensure unbiased feedback. Mr. Kapur said that in 2024, the Haryana Police received 5,83,567 complaints, out of which feedback was taken from 4,76,186 complainants, which is 82% of the total complaints. Of these, 73% of the complainants expressed satisfaction with the police action. During the feedback, the complainant is asked whether they are satisfied with the police action or not, and if not, the reason for dissatisfaction is enquired.

He said that the Haryana Police is committed to providing a safe and secure environment to the people of the state. The Haryana Police is working with a zero-tolerance policy against criminal activities. Necessary steps are also being taken to enhance the efficiency of the police so that an action plan can be prepared in line with the changing nature of crime.

Chandigarh January 4:  Under the able leadership of Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the state’s revenue has been consistently increasing. In December 2024, the Excise and Taxation Department recorded an impressive 28 percent growth in GST collections, marking the highest growth among the major states in the country.

In December 2024, Haryana collected Rs 10,403 crore, placing it as the fourth-largest state among the 28 states and 8 union territories in the country in terms of GST collection. In terms of percentage growth, Haryana ranked third. This achievement highlights the state governments and the department’s commitment and integrity in meeting their tax collection responsibilities. The increase in revenue is not only a positive indicator of the state’s development but also a reflection of its overall economic progress.

The government spokesperson stated that the Excise and Taxation Department has achieved a total net collection of Rs 46,188 crore from April to December 2024. This includes Rs 8,812 crore from VAT and CST, Rs 9,527 crore from excise duty, and Rs 27,849 crore from SGST. With a target of Rs 63,348 crore set for the financial year 2024-25, the department has already achieved 73 per cent of its target. He emphasized that this not only reflects the success of Haryana’s tax reform policy but also marks a significant step towards the state’s overall development.

The government spokesperson emphasized that revenue is a crucial source of funding for the government, enabling the development of various projects, the provision of civic amenities, and the promotion of both state and national growth. The Excise and Taxation Department consistently aims to exceed its revenue targets set in the state budget to ensure that adequate funds are available for developmental work. These efforts not only strengthen the capacity of the state government but also contribute to propelling the state toward greater economic development.