Chandigarh/Kila Raipur (Ludhiana), January 31 

The Kila Raipur Rural Olympics 2025, one of Punjab’s premier sporting events, got off to an exciting start on Friday with Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond inaugurated the games in the local stadium.

In his address, Tarunpreet Singh Sond emphasized that the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is dedicated to elevating sports in Punjab to ensure it becomes a leader in the nation. He noted that the government has been making significant efforts to foster a sports-friendly environment in the state, prioritizing the restoration of Punjab’s previous sports glory.

Minister Sond also announced that the Punjab government has kept a substantial budget of Rs. 75 lakh for organizing these historic games, which will significantly benefit sports and athletes in the state.

 He expressed optimism that the event will contribute positively to establishing a sports culture throughout Punjab, uncovering talent from every corner of the state. Additionally, he mentioned that the government has also increased cash awards for athletes securing medals at the Olympics and other international competitions.

 Additionally, the annual “Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan” event has garnered an overwhelming response from the youth. The Minister announced that the state government will soon resume bullock cart races at the famous rural Olympics. He mentioned that these races have been a very popular sport and a major attraction at the games. The government is considering issuing a notification regarding this and he has also requested the Chief Minister’s support for the same.

Sond encouraged sports enthusiasts to gather at the stadium to witness this grand event. He also emphasized that the rural Olympics provide a platform for children, youths, senior citizens, and everyone else to showcase their talents across various sports. He praised the district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, for making sufficient arrangements for both the event and its participants.

The opening day featured athletes of all ages competing in ten different activities, including men’s and women’s hockey matches, Kabbadi (NS) events for girls under 14 and under 17, 60m and 100m races for boys and girls, 1500m races for men and women, 400m race heats and finals, Kho-Kho matches, volleyball for men, shooting events, and various traditional rural games.

Earlier, the Minister was welcomed at the stadium by Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal and other civil officials. 

The festivities will continue with a musical performance by popular Punjabi singer Preet Harpal today in the evening followed by performances from singers Virasat Sandhu on February 1 and Kulwinder Billa on February 2.

Chandigarh, January 31:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday expressed deep shock and anguish over tragic road accident on Ferozepur- Fazilka road in which 11 people were killed and 15 were injured.

Expressing profound grief and sorrow over this disastrous accident, the Chief Minister shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved families and prayed to the Almighty to give them courage to bear this irreparable loss in the hour of crisis and grant peace to the departed souls. Meanwhile, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he was in constant touch with the administration and was regularly monitoring the situation. The Chief Minister said that he had already directed district administration to provide free treatment to all the injured adding he wished them a speedy recovery.

Manoj Kumar Chandigarh

With the Central Government set to present the Union Budget on Saturday, Haryana has high expectations from it. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025-26 in Parliament on Saturday. As per information, her speech will start at 11 am in the Lok Sabha.
Moreover, apart from Haryana Government, ordinary taxpayers to tech, healthcare, insurance, and finance sectors, in Sitharaman’s eighth Budget speech, expectations are high for significant announcements aimed at reviving the economy, the job market, and boosting consumer sentiments.

On the condition of anonymity, a senior BJP leader said that Nayab Singh Saini government has high hopes from the Union Budget 2025-26. Haryana is expecting an increase in the National Capital Region (NCR) budget. Any increase in the infrastructure budget for the NCR will help improve facilities there as the state government will have more funds for such developmental activities. Though the state government is planning to undertake more such projects on public private partnership mode, the state still needs additional funds to improve such facilities, he added.

Another BJP leader said that any increase in the allocation for the social sector, too, will indirectly benefit Haryana. The BJP Government in Haryana has undertaken a number of social welfare projects in sectors like health and education, for which more funds are required. We are hoping the announcements in the Central Budget would provide more opportunities of growth in the social sector in Haryana. The Goods and Service Tax (GST) is another issue that Haryana is expecting the Centre to take a sympathetic stand on.”

He further said that big projects and special grants for the execution of major projects in the National Capital Region (NCR) are on the Haryana Government’s wish list, which has already been ‘conveyed’ to the Central government and the Finance Ministry. Some of these projects include the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway, Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, a 122-km project from Palwal to Sonepat, 1,000-acre integrated multi-modal logistics hub at Narnaul, India International Horticulture Market at Ganaur (Sonepat) and the Delhi-Panipat fast rail corridor, as part of the regional rapid transport system.

Chief Minister Nayab Saini, who also holds the finance portfolio on Friday exuded confidence that adequate allocations would be made for various Haryana projects. Talking to Reporters, He said, “We have high hopes from the Union Budget, though it is prepared keeping in mind the country as a whole.”

Talking to Reporters in Ambala Cantt, the Haryana Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister Anil Vij said that every budget presented by the Central Government prioritizes all-round and holistic development. He said that the government is committed to uplifting every section of society and region, with special focus on the development of backward areas.

Sources said the Chief Minister had already conveyed the state’s wish list to the Union Government. In fact, at the pre-Budget consultations of the state finance ministers at Jaisalmer last month, Saini brought to the notice of Sitharaman and her team from the Finance Ministry various projects for which the state needed resources to realise the dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Being closer to Delhi, Haryana is invariably a major beneficiary of any national level project announced in the Union Budget. In fact, various projects announced by the Finance Minister for several sectors, including rural development and agriculture, have benefited the state directly or indirectly, a senior officer said. However, this time, the state government was expecting a big-ticket project in the Union Budget, which would be a perfect reward for people of Haryana, who had voted for the saffron party for the record third term in office, a senior BJP functionary stated.

Moreover, Sumitra Malhotra, Student of MA, PU (Economic) said that stakeholders from the healthcare sector, specifying their expectations from the upcoming Union budget, sought higher budget allocation for the sector; reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) and import duties on critical medical equipment and supplies; lower treatment costs for patients; and easy accessibility to various schemes introduced by the government.

She further said that increasing healthcare spending to 2.5 percent of the GDP is essential in order to strengthen infrastructure and expand access, particularly in underserved areas, even as they called for enhanced access to health services through improved Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).

Armaan Kapoor, another PU student (Commerce) said, “With inflation showing no signs of abating within the Reserve Bank of India’s target range in the near future, I believe the finance minister will implement necessary policy measures to curb price increases. This could involve reducing taxes on consumer goods such as packaged food and edible oils. This would boost household disposable income and positively impact private consumption. Furthermore, I believe the Budget should include measures to encourage savings through tax rationalisation and stimulate loan growth. A separate announcement on developing future-proof digital infrastructure for the financial sector in the era of artificial intelligence is also anticipated.”

Chandigarh, January 26:

It was on January 16 only when the Nayab Sarkar took a commendable step by extending the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana on to enable senior citizens to visit the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj and partake in the holy bath. Fulfilling the government’s commitment in just 10 days, the Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini flagged off the first batch of devotees on Republic Day, sending two buses full of pilgrims from Rewari to the Maha Kumbh Mela. During this, he also interacted with the devotees, offering them his best wishes for a safe and fulfilling journey.

Under the Chief Minister’s guidance, the officers of the Information, Public Relations, and Languages Department worked diligently to update the registration portal and complete all necessary procedures in accordance with the new expansion of the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana. Thanks to their swift efforts, the first batch has successfully left for the Maha Kumbh.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the state government facilitates visits to important pilgrimage sites across the country for devotees under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana. The government has expanded this scheme to enable devotees to visit the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Under this scheme, a large number of pilgrims from across the state have already visited Ayodhya and other pilgrimage sites, shared Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

The pilgrims began their journey by chanting praises of the Lord. Along with the devotees, doctors and security personnel were also sent in the two buses departing for the Maha Kumbh from Rewari to ensure a smooth and trouble-free journey.

Notably, under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana, the state government provides free pilgrimage to senior citizens aged 60 years and above, whose annual family income is less than Rs. 1,80,000. Registration on the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana portal is mandatory for devotees. The Haryana government aims to ensure that even poor families can benefit from visiting holy sites, as there is no task more sacred than this.

Chandigarh, January 26:

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh.Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday flagged off  five new AC electric buses to the people of Rewari on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day. He emphasized that these buses would not only be environment friendly but would also enhance regional connectivity, offering a new direction and strength to transportation in the area. The Chief Minister said that this initiative by the government aims to provide convenience to local passengers while playing a significant role in environmental conservation.

The Chief Minister further said that over two dozen electric buses across various districts in Haryana have been started, including Rewari, on Republic Day. He said that passengers would be able to avail of free travel on these electric buses for one week.

Highlighting the state’s commitment to promoting electric buses, the Chief Minister said the initiative would enhance passenger convenience and contribute to reducing pollution. With the addition of these five new AC electric buses, the Rewari depot’s fleet has expanded, ensuring smoother and more comfortable travel options for passengers, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.