Government Committed to building a strong sports culture in Haryana: Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini
Chief Minister presents cash awards worth Rs 20.59 Crore to 198 Sportspersons
Haryana's Sportspersons have brought glory to the Nation on every global sporting stage: Nayab Singh Saini
AI is making sports training more scientific, but it can never replace passion or patriotism: Chief Minister
Sports Department budget increased more than fourfold, from Rs 163 Crore to Rs 668 Crore
Chandigarh, July 7: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the government's vision extends beyond winning medals to creating a strong sporting culture where talent gets opportunities, hard work receives due recognition, and every young person is empowered to pursue their dreams with confidence. He said the government is not merely distributing cash awards but laying a strong foundation for sporting excellence to contribute to the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).
The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering as the chief guest at a cash award distribution ceremony held at the PWD Rest House Auditorium, Sector-1, to felicitate the state's outstanding Sportspersons. Minister of State for Sports Sh. Gaurav Gautam was also present on the occasion.
During the ceremony, the Chief Minister presented cash awards totaling Rs 20.59 crore to 198 sportspersons who had won medals or represented the country in major international and national sporting events. The awards included Rs 13.75 crore for 117 sportspersons who excelled in international-level competitions, Rs 2.32 crore for three sportspersons of 2022 Para Asian Games, and Rs 4.52 crore for 78 national-level sportspersons.
Highlighting the state's commitment to promoting sports, the Chief Minister said that over the past 12 years, the Haryana Government has disbursed Rs 709 crore in cash rewards to 16,984 sportspersons. With today’s distribution, the total cash incentive provided to athletes has reached approximately Rs 730 crore.
Congratulating the awardees, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that while the glory of winning a medal may last only a few moments, the journey to achieve it is marked by years of relentless dedication, discipline, and perseverance. He expressed confidence that the honored athletes would continue to bring laurels to Haryana and the nation through their outstanding performances.
The Chief Minister said that the soil of India has produced athletes who have demonstrated to the world that no matter how challenging the circumstances, history can be rewritten through determination and unwavering resolve. Citing the examples of Milkha Singh, popularly known as the 'Flying Sikh', Murlikant Petkar, and Mary Kom, he said their life journeys offer an enduring lesson that challenges are a part of everyone's life, but true champions are those who confront them with courage rather than surrender to them. Instead of allowing adversity to define their destiny, they turned every obstacle into a source of strength, inspiration, and ultimately, their greatest triumphs.
Sh Nayab Singh Saini said it is a matter of immense pride that Haryana has consistently produced athletes who have brought laurels to India on the global stage. Despite accounting for only about two percent of the country's population, Haryana contributes more than one-third of India's medals in major international sporting events. He said that athletes from the state have made the nation proud through their outstanding performances at the Paris Olympics, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
Interacting with the athletes present at the ceremony, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, they would continue to script new success stories by winning medals for the country at the 2028, 2032, and 2036 Olympic Games.
The Chief Minister said that the world is entering the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the field of sports is no exception. Today, AI is helping analyse athletes' fitness, predict injury risks, assess opponents' strategies, and make training more scientific and data-driven. It can measure speed, monitor heart rate, and evaluate technique with remarkable precision.
However, he emphasized that AI can never measure an athlete's passion, understand the spirit of patriotism, or replicate the emotions reflected in the eyes of a sportsperson standing on the victory podium with the Tricolour draped over their shoulders.
Addressing the athletes, Sh Nayab Singh Saini urged them to embrace technology while preserving the human spirit that drives excellence. He said the future belongs to those who combine technological advancement with determination, discipline, and human values.
Highlighting the Haryana Government's initiatives to promote sports and support athletes, the Chief Minister said that 260 sportspersons have been provided government jobs under the Outstanding Sportspersons Recruitment Rules. He also informed that the state's sports gradation policy has recently been amended to extend its benefits to athletes participating in the Haryana State Games.
He further said that the monthly honorarium for award-winning athletes has been enhanced. Under the revised provisions, recipients of the Khel Ratna, Dronacharya, Arjuna, Dhyan Chand, and Tenzing Norgay awards receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 20,000, while Bhim Award winners are entitled to Rs 5,000 per month.
The Chief Minister said that every champion's journey begins on village playgrounds and in school sports fields. With this vision, the Haryana Government has established 2,000 sports nurseries, is providing monthly scholarships ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 to athletes in the 8–19 years age group, and has introduced a daily diet allowance of Rs 500 for trainees at 25 residential sports academies.
He further stated that the state government has invested Rs 1,100 crore in developing sports infrastructure over the past 12 years. During the same period, the Sports Department's budget has increased from Rs 163 crore in 2013–14 to Rs 668.42 crore. He also highlighted that North India's first 'A-Star' Scientific Training and Rehabilitation Centre has been established at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Panchkula, at a cost of Rs 10 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Sports Sh Gaurav Gautam said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana has emerged as a Sports Hub. He said the government is strengthening sports infrastructure and providing world-class facilities to enable sportspersons to train effectively, excel in national and international competitions, and continue bringing laurels to the state and the nation.
He said that under the guidance of the Chief Minister, 'Mission-2036' has been launched with the ambitious target of securing 36 Olympic medals. To achieve this goal, the state government is providing sportspersons with modern sports facilities and strengthening sports infrastructure in Stadiums across the State at a cost of approximately Rs 300 crore.
He further said that Haryana's sports policy is being widely appreciated across the country. Owing to this progressive policy, coupled with the dedication and hard work of its athletes, the state continues to produce exceptional performances in national and international competitions, bringing laurels to both Haryana and the nation.
Former Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Mayor Sham Lal Bansal, BJP District President Ajay Mittal, BJP State Vice President Banto Kataria, Director Sports Department Parth Gupta, along with distinguished athletes, coaches, and other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.
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Baba Makhan Shah Labana and Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara's Lives are an Eternal Saga of Sacrifice, Service and Commitment- Chief Minister
Ideas and sacrifices of great personalities continue to inspire future generations, Government taking their message to every household through the 'Sant-Mahapurush Samman Evam Vichar Prasar Yojana', says Nayab Singh Saini
Chief Minister announces Rs. 31 lakh each for Makhan Shah Lubana Dharamshala at Pehowa and Community Centre at Datauli
State Government working on the principle of Antyodaya- Chief Minister
Chandigarh, July 7- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Baba Makhan Shah Labana and Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara are not merely two names but two immortal chapters in Sikh history and the history of India. Their lives epitomised sacrifice as their creed, service as their way of life and commitment as their defining identity. Paying his respectful tributes to these two great personalities, the Chief Minister said their lives continue to inspire society with the ideals of selfless service, unwavering faith and supreme sacrifice.
The Chief Minister was addressing the State-level Birth Anniversary Celebration of Baba Makhan Shah Labana Ji and Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara Ji organised under the 'Sant-Mahapurush Samman Evam Vichar Prasar Yojana' at Sant Kabir Kutir on Tuesday. On the occasion, eminent members of the community welcomed the Chief Minister by presenting him with a memento and a Siropa .
During the programme, representatives of the Banjara community submitted a memorandum containing six demands. The Chief Minister assured them that all their demands would be fulfilled. He announced that the process relating to the land already allotted for the Makhan Shah Lubana Dharamshala at Pehowa would be completed expeditiously. He also announced a grant of Rs. 31 lakh for construction and other related works of the Dharamshala.
The Chief Minister further announced the construction of a Community Centre in Datauli village and gave an amount of Rs. 31 lakh for the project. He also stated that an institution would be named after Baba Makhan Shah Labana.
Addressing the gathering, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that great personalities do not belong to any particular caste, sect or community, rather, they are the shared heritage of the entire nation. Their ideals, values and life history are not merely a legacy of the past but a source of inspiration for building a New India and a progressive society. It is with this objective that the Haryana Government has launched the 'Sant-Mahapurush Samman Evam Vichar Prasar Yojana' so that their teachings, ideals and message continue to inspire future generations, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
He said that after a long time, Haryana has a government that has taken concrete steps to honour great personalities so that the younger generation can learn about their lives of sacrifice, penance and unparalleled contribution to society and the nation.
The Chief Minister said that Baba Makhan Shah Labana Ji was born in 1619 in the family of Bhai Dasa Ji Labana.
Recalling one of the most significant chapters in Sikh history, the Chief Minister said that when atrocities under Mughal rule had reached their peak and the Ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ji, laid down his life at Chandni Chowk for the protection of religion, such was the atmosphere of fear that no one dared even to touch his mortal remains.
At that critical moment, Bhai Lakhi Shah Banjara and his son Bhai Nigahiya came forward. They carried the mortal remains of Guru Sahib ji to their residence and, in order to perform his last rites with due honour, set their own house ablaze. The historic Gurdwara Sri Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi stands today as a living testimony to their unparalleled sacrifice and devotion.
The Chief Minister said that the Banjara-Labana community played a vital role in driving the country's economy for centuries through trade and transportation.
He said that the British enacted the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871, under which the community was declared a hereditary criminal tribe. After Independence, this historical injustice was removed on the recommendation of the Ayyangar Committee, and the community was denotified on August 31, 1952. It is for this reason that August 31 is observed every year as Vimukti Divas.
Government Working on the Principle of Antyodaya- Chief Minister
The Chief Minister said that the lives of Baba Makhan Shah Labana and Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara exemplify the values of service, equality and commitment. Guided by these ideals, the Haryana Government is working on the principle of Antyodaya to ensure that the benefits of development reach the last person in society.
He said that every family in the State has been provided a unique identity through the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP). Under the Mukhyamantri Shehri Awas Yojana, houses have been provided to 15,250 families in 14 cities. Under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana, 6,300 families have been allotted 100-square-yard residential plots along with financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh each for the construction of houses.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 1.56 lakh poor families have been provided pucca houses. Under the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Awas Navinikaran Yojana, the financial assistance has been enhanced from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 80,000, and assistance amounting to Rs. 416 crore has so far been provided to 85,815 families.
The Chief Minister said that under the Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana, bank loans have been facilitated for self-employment for more than 55,000 needy beneficiaries. Under the Deendayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana, financial assistance amounting to Rs. 2,800 crore has been provided to 74,245 families following the death of the family's earning member.
He further said that 13.43 lakh families are being provided LPG cylinders at Rs. 500 per month. Students are being provided free textbooks, uniforms and stationery up to Class XII. In addition to free coaching for competitive examinations, annual scholarships ranging from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 12,000 are being provided under the Dr. Ambedkar Medhavi Scholarship Scheme.
The Chief Minister said that the objective of all these schemes and initiatives is to provide equal opportunities to every citizen. He called upon the people to imbibe in their lives the values of service, integrity, commitment and sacrifice exemplified by Baba Makhan Shah Labana and Baba Lakhi Shah Banjara, and to contribute towards taking Haryana to new heights in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, India's stature has risen significantly on the global stage. Today, India's name is spoken with respect across the world, and powerful nations such as the United States and Russia also accord the country due respect.
He said that the nation is steadily moving towards the goal of a Viksit Bharat, and this has been made possible because of the determination and strong resolve of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He added that the country is the same and the officers are the same; what has changed is the leadership's determination to work, which has ushered in systemic reforms and transformed governance, thereby taking the nation forward.
Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Sh. K. Makrand Pandurang, State President, Subedar Major Sh. Kishori Lal, DNT Board Chairman Sardar Jasmer Singh Banjara, OSDs to Chief Minister, Sh. Bharat Bhushan Bharti, Sh. Vivek Kalia, Additional Director, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Sh. Manish Lohan and eminent members of the Lubana and Banjara communities from across the State also remained present.
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13 Health institutions approved for Mahendragarh District
Government committed to delivering quality healthcare services in rural areas: Arti Singh Rao
Chandigarh, July 7 – In a major step towards strengthening healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, the Haryana Government has approved 13 healthcare institutions for the Mahendragarh district. Reiterating the government's commitment to providing quality healthcare services in villages, Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has approved the establishment of 12 new Sub-Health Centres and the upgradation of one existing Sub-Health Centre into a Primary Health Centre (PHC).
Sharing information in this regard, Haryana Health Minister, Ms. Arti Singh Rao said the government is committed to ensuring that every citizen, especially those living in rural areas, has access to quality and modern healthcare services close to their homes.
Rambas Sub-Health Centre to be upgraded
The Health Minister said that the Sub-Health Centre at village Rambas will be upgraded into a Primary Health Centre (PHC). The administrative approval for the upgradation has been granted to provide better treatment and outpatient services to the local population. With this, residents will no longer have to travel to bigger towns for treatment of common ailments.
New Sub-Health centres approved in 12 villages
The Chief Minister has also approved the establishment of new Sub-Health Centres in the villages of Chhapra Salimpur, Kanina, Chhilro, Mundia Khera, Bhadf, Morund, Nayan, Rai Malikpur, Musnota, Chandpura, Nangal Nunia and Seka in Mahendragarh district.
The Health Minister said that the new health centres will ensure that people living in remote villages have easier access to primary healthcare, vaccinations, maternal and child healthcare, and other essential medical services without having to travel long distances.
She added that the initiative will strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in Mahendragarh district and improve the quality of rural health services through the deployment of additional healthcare staff. The government remains committed to ensuring that no citizen is deprived of basic healthcare facilities.
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CM chairs HPPC and HPWPC meeting, Approves development Projects and Procurement Proposals worth over Rs. 340 crore
Development works related to roads, sewerage and power infrastructure to gain momentum
Negotiations result in savings of Rs. 15.11 crore
Chandigarh, July 7 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini chaired the High Powered Purchase Committee (HPPC) and the High Powered Works Purchase Committee (HPWPC) meeting on late Monday evening at Haryana Niwas, Chandigarh. During the meeting, procurement and development proposals worth more than Rs. 340 crore across various departments were approved. Following detailed negotiations with bidders and revision of quoted rates, the government secured savings of approximately Rs. 15.11 crore.
Education Minister, Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, Revenue and Disaster Management, Minister Sh. Vipul Goel, Cooperation Minister, Dr. Arvind Sharma, and Public Works (Buildings & Roads) Minister, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa also remained present during the meeting.
During the HPWPC a total of 10 agenda items with a total estimated value of Rs. 259.20 crore were tabled. After one proposal was deferred, the remaining nine proposals, valued at Rs. 225.76 crore, were taken up. Successful negotiations with bidders brought down the approved cost to Rs. 217.68 crore, resulting in savings of Rs. 8.08 crore.
Similarly, the HPPC five agenda items with a total estimated value of Rs. 158 crore were tabled. Following the withdrawal of one agenda item, the remaining four proposals, valued at Rs. 130.19 crore, were deliberated upon. After negotiations, the revised approved cost stood at Rs. 123.16 crore, leading to savings of Rs. 7.03 crore.
Overall, the total value of the proposals considered by the two committees was Rs. 355.95 crore. After negotiations, these were finalised at Rs. 340.84 crore, resulting in total savings of Rs. 15.11 crore.
Development and Procurement Works Approved Across Departments
During the meeting approval was granted to a rate contract for the supply of 11 kV pilfer-resistant metering cubicles for the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN). A rate contract for the procurement of 11 kV VCB panels, incoming and outgoing panels, capacitor control panels, and sub-station transformer panels for the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) was also approved.
Approval was also accorded for the procurement of laboratory equipment by the Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Limited for a laboratory to be operated in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode under the Government of India's National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD).
In addition, approval was granted for the construction of the master road and service road between Sectors 78 and 80 in Gurugram under the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).
For the Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA), approval was granted for the installation of six micro sewage treatment plants for green belts and parks in Sectors 9, 10, 14, 15, 15A, 16, 17, 18, 19, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35 and 37, along with the development of associated infrastructure and their operation and maintenance.
Under the Sonipat Metropolitan Development Authority (SMDA), approval was accorded for laying sewer lines and constructing manholes in Kundli, developing a stormwater drainage system and drains in Kharkhoda, widening and strengthening the 65-metre-wide road from GT Road to Diwan Farm, and constructing a 7.50 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant along with a Main Pumping Station in Kundli.
Similarly, under the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA), approval was granted for the construction of a 20 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant and a 50 MLD Main Pumping Station for the Panchkula Industrial Area, Phases I and II, strengthening the existing 67.5 MLD Main Pumping Station; expanding the capacity of the existing 15 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant to 30 MLD and constructing a 10 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant and Main Pumping Station in Sector 29 of the Pinjore-Kalka Urban Complex.
The Chief Minister directed that the supply of materials be ensured in accordance with the prescribed quality standards and within the stipulated timelines.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Principal Advisor, Urban Development, Sh. D.S. Dhesi, and senior officers from various departments also attended the meeting.