For the First Time, I Have Seen a Blood Donation Camp Where Only Women Are Donors – Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini

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Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini inaugurates the 37th Basant Utsav Festival

The Two-Day Festival takes place at Town Park, Sector 5, Panchkula

Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority Organizes this year’s Basant Utsav

India is a Land of Diverse Seasons - Chief Minister

Chandigarh, March 08 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini today inaugurated the 37th Basant Utsav Festival at Town Park, Sector 5, Panchkula. The two-day event is being organized by the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister extended his congratulations and best wishes to all those present. He highlighted that India is a unique country where various seasons converge, each holding its own significance. In our tradition, every season is celebrated with a festival. In this context, the celebration of the 37th Basant Utsav today, marking the arrival of spring, serves as a vibrant reflection of our rich cultural heritage.

The Chief Minister said that Panchkula is a modern city situated at the foothills of the Shivalik range and near the revered Mata Mansa Devi temple. Known for its natural beauty and well-planned development, Panchkula represents a perfect blend of modernity and tradition. He said that this year's Basant Utsav showcases the unique beauty of nature in full bloom, with flowers that seem to dance in joy, infusing the event with a fresh, vibrant energy. He said that the event has brought a renewed sense of enthusiasm and spirit to everyone’s lives.

The Chief Minister specially congratulated the officers of the Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority for successfully organizing this grand event, attributing its success to their unwavering dedication and hard work.

During his visit, Sh Nayab Singh Saini admired the various flower varieties on display and also planted a sapling. He said that various programs including painting by school children, fancy dress, rangoli, folk dance, presentation of folk artists are being organized in this festival.

The Chief Minister also honoured those who secured first place in various competitions. The Wellness Center of the Western Command Headquarters, located at Chandimandir Cantt, was awarded for its maintenance of the roundabout. Satluj Public School, Sector 2, Panchkula, received recognition in the "Garden in School Campus – Primary (Junior Wing)" category, while The Gurukul, Sector 20, was honoured in the "Garden in School Campus – Secondary Wing" category.

Additional Chief Secretary, Town and Country Planning Department, Sh Apoorv Kumar Singh, extended a warm welcome to the Chief Minister and provided details about the organization of Basant Utsav.

Chief Executive Officer, Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority, Sh K. Makarand Pandurang said that the two-day Basant Utsav includes a variety of events such as flower decoration, cut flower displays, rangoli competitions, painting, pot painting, face painting and tattoo competitions, environmental quizzes, mehndi contests, and fancy-dress competitions. In addition, a Kavi Sammelan will be held on March 8, featuring renowned poets who will entertain the audience with their humorous performances. On March 9, a couple dance competition, baby show, selfie competition, solo singing contest, and folk-dance performances will also take place, offering a wide array of entertainment for all the citizens of the district to enjoy.

Kalka MLA Smt. Shakti Rani Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority Sh K. Makarand Pandurang, former Assembly Speaker Sh Gian Chand Gupta, Panchkula Mayor Sh Kulbhushan Goyal, BJP leader Smt. Banto Kataria, District BJP President Sh Deepak Sharma, Om Prakash Devinagar and other dignitaries were also present.

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Women will have the biggest contribution in making India a Developed Nation by 2047 – Chief Minister

A state-level Mahila Samman Samaroh organized in Panchkula on the occasion of International Women’s Day

The Chief Minister announces to increase in leave given to women on special days

Women in the state will receive interest-free loans of up to Rs. 1 lakh to establish dairy units, as announced by the Chief Minister

CM virtually inaugurates 44 new Anganwadi centers across the state

Haryana’s daughters are winning medals in sports and also protecting the nation by joining the army – Chief Minister

Chandigarh, March 8 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini while addressing a state level Mahila Samman Samaroh organized on the occasion of International Women’s Day in Panchkula on saturday said that women play the most crucial role in the progress of any society. When women progress, they uplift their families, strengthen society, and drive the nation's growth, he said.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini expressed his firm belief and pride that in Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision of a Developed India by 2047, the greatest contribution will come from the mothers, sisters, and daughters of this nation.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Harvinder Kalyan, Women and Child Development Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry, and Health Minister, Kumari Arti Singh Rao also present during the programme.

The Chief Minister while extending his greetings on International Women’s Day, announced several key initiatives for women’s welfare, these include increase in the leave granted to the women employees on special days.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini announced that regular women government employees in Haryana will now receive 25 annual leaves instead of 20. Similarly, women employees deployed under Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN) were previously entitled to 10 annual leaves, but now, they will receive one additional leave every month, increasing their total leave entitlement to 22 days per year.

The Chief Minister also announced that women in Haryana will be provided interest-free loans of up to Rs.1 lakh to establish dairy units. He shared that under the Mahila Kirshi Virdhi Yojana, the government is committed to providing interest-free loans to women from farming families for activities such as livestock rearing, beekeeping, poultry farming, dairy farming, and other agricultural enterprises.

CM launches three new portals

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini virtually inaugurated 44 new Anganwadi centers across the state and laid the foundation stone for Bal Bhavan in Charkhi Dadri. He also launched three key portals to enhance governance and welfare services, namely the Domestic Violence Complaint Registration and Monitoring portal to streamline reporting and tracking of domestic violence cases, the MIS Portal for Aapki Beti-Hamari Beti to improve the scheme’s implementation, and the Supplementary Nutrition programme (SNP) Demand and Supply portal to ensure efficient monitoring of nutritional supplement distribution.

Gender equality must be turned into a mass movement, Not just a slogan-CM

The Chief Minister said that today is not only a day to honor women but also to express our gratitude towards them. He emphasized that if we see the world as beautiful, empowered, and strong today, it is largely due to the contributions of women. He further remarked that to build a developed India, it is crucial to ensure equal participation of women in the nation's progress. Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the theme of International Women’s Day 2025 is ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.’ He said that gender equality should not just be a slogan but a mass movement, ensuring every daughter and woman has the opportunity to move forward and realize her full potential.

My success is a reflection of my mother's unconditional support and love– CM

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini expressed that it is impossible to dedicate just one day to honor those who make every day meaningful. However, March 8 provides a special occasion to recognize and express gratitude to them. He shared his happiness that women are now leading in every field, and there is no domain where our mothers and sisters are not excelling. He reiterated the saying, "Behind every successful person, there is a woman," affirming its truth. Reflecting on his own success, the Chief Minister acknowledged that his achievements are largely due to the unwavering support and contribution of his mother.

State has seen unprecedented improvement in gender ratio- CM

The Chief Minister said that empowering women by making them self-reliant is both a priority and a resolve. He said that over the last 10 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, the atmosphere towards women in the country has transformed, and respect for women has increased. He recalled that when the state government took charge, the gender ratio and female foeticide was quite alarming.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana was seen as a state where daughters were being killed. However, after the launch of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi from the historic land of Panipat, the state's gender ratio, which was 871 in 2014, has now risen to 916. Today, Haryana is not known for female feticide but as a state that empowers its daughters, he said.

The Chief Minister said that Haryana's daughters are not only winning medals in sports but are also joining the armed forces and defending the nation.

Haryana becomes the first state in India to Implement comprehensive crèche policy for childcare

The Chief Minister said that the Haryana government has taken numerous significant steps to empower women. He said that the state presently has 64,500 self-help groups, and women self-help groups are now eligible for stamp duty exemptions on loans up to Rs. 5 lakh. Additionally, 33 percent of ration depots have been allocated to women, with 252 depots assigned in the last four months, he said.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana has become the first state in the country to introduce a comprehensive crèche policy for the care of young children of working women. At present, the state has 572 Anganwadi centers functioning as crèches and 273 stand alone crèches. Furthermore, 4,000 play-way schools have been established with the goal to increase their number to 8,000 this year, shared the Chief Minister.

He said that under the Lakhpati Didi yojana, Haryana is providing skill development training to women, helping them set up micro-enterprises. The target is to make 5 lakh women lakhpati didis, and 2 lakh women have already been made lakhpati didis. In addition, the state plans to expand the Namo Drone Didi initiative by training 5,000 women to become drone pilots. So far, 100 women have been trained to operate drones and have been provided with free drones, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

72 new government colleges established in the last decade, Including 29 for Girls- CM

The Chief Minister shared that numerous initiatives have been launched for the health and safety of women in the state. He said that alongside improving women’s health, the government is also committed to ensuring their safety. To assist women in distress, the Women's Helpline 1091 has been established. Additionally, to address crimes against women, 31 women's police stations have been set up, bringing the total number of such stations in the state to 33, shared Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.

Furthermore, significant steps have been taken to promote daughters' education. Over the past 10 years, 72 new government colleges have been opened across the state, with 29 of them dedicated to girls, he said.

Empowered nations are built through respect, opportunity, and equal rights- CM

The Chief Minister said that gender equality is not just a women's issue but a responsibility for society as a whole. He said that when women are given the opportunity to move forward, the entire society progresses. He further added that when women receive respect, opportunities, and equal rights, it leads to the creation of an empowered nation.

CM honors districts for remarkable work done in improving gender ratio and nutrition improvement

Earlier, the Chief Minister honored districts with state-level awards for their efforts to improve the gender ratio. Karnal and Yamunanagar districts jointly received the first prize.The Chief Minister presented cash rewards worth Rs. 2.50 lakh each to Deputy Commissioner of Karnal, Sh. Uttam Singh, and Deputy Commissioner of Yamunanagar, Sh. Parth Gupta. Mahendergarh district, which secured second place, was honored with a cash reward of Rs. 3 lakh, presented to Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Vivek Bharti, while Bhiwani district received third place, with Deputy Commissioner Sh. Mahavir Kaushik being awarded with a cash reward of Rs. 2 lakh.

Besides this, the Chief Minister honored the top three districts for significant improvements in the nutritional status of children under six years of age. Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, and Bhiwani received first, second, and third positions, respectively, with cash rewards of Rs. 2 lakh, Rs. 1 lakh, and Rs. 50,000 to the respective Deputy Commissioners.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini also presented the Sushma Swaraj Award to Smt. Shanta Ranga from Karnal district with a cash reward of Rs. 5 lakh. Kumari Bala Verma from Hisar district and Rekha Rani Dhiman from Jind district received the Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award, with a cash reward prize of Rs. 1.50 lakh each. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister recognized and honored women who have made notable contributions in various fields with cash awards.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister, Numerous initiatives for Women Empowerment taken- Shruti Choudhry

Speaking on the occasion, Women and Child Development Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry said that under the able leadership and guidance of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, many key initiatives and programmes have been implemented in the state to empower women, directly benefiting our mothers and sisters. She further emphasized that the Chief Minister is tirelessly working day and night for the development of the state. Smt. Shruti Choudhry said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi gave the world the message of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ from the historic land of Haryana.

Conferences to be held to raise awareness among women and students on legislative matters - Harvinder Kalyan

Speaking on the occasion, Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Harvinder Kalyan said that our daughters are filled with immense talent, and today, they are excelling in every field. He acknowledged that the government has taken several concrete steps to provide a safe environment for women and girls, but stressed the need for collective action from everyone in this regard. He said that to raise awareness about legislative matters, the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, in collaboration with the Lok Sabha and the state government, will organize conferences for women and students in the coming times.

The event was attended by Kalka MLA, Smt. Shakti Rani Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Women and Child Development Department, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Saket Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Smt. Monica Gupta, former Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, Mayor Sh. Kulbhushan Goyal, Media Secretary Sh. Praveen Atrey, along with other officials and women from across the state.

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Haryana gets 1,090 Medical Officers; Chief Minister distributes Appointment Letters

Chief Minister encourages Medical Officers to help build a healthy Haryana and a strong India through service

Chief Minister attends State-Level Orientation Program in Panchkula

Present government made tireless efforts to meet the shortage of doctors in the state

Chandigarh, March 8 – On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh Nayab Singh Saini handed over appointment letters to a total of 1,090 medical officers, including 705 newly appointed women medical officers. This group comprises 561 doctors from the Health Department and 529 Ayurvedic Medical Officers from the AYUSH Department.

During the state-level orientation programme in Panchkula, the Chief Minister encouraged the newly appointed medical officers from both the Health and AYUSH Departments to contribute to building a healthier Haryana and a stronger India. He urged them to serve humanity with dedication, emphasizing that all medical officers should perform their duties with sensitivity and compassion, especially while serving in remote and rural areas of the state.

The Chief Minister highlighted that today marks a significant milestone for Haryana's healthcare sector. The doctors appointed today will play a vital role in achieving the Haryana Government's goal of providing accessible healthcare services to all citizens. He congratulated and extended his best wishes to the newly appointed doctors and their families, acknowledging their hard work, dedication, and tireless efforts that have led to their success.

Describing health care as human service, the Chief Minister said that as a doctor, his role is not limited to treating diseases but also to spreading awareness and building a healthy society. It is their moral duty to educate the public on health and hygiene, conduct awareness campaigns, and promote healthy lifestyles.

He further said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, doctors and healthcare workers were at the frontline, saving countless lives. The Chief Minister praised their dedication and resilience, highlighting how they showcased the strength and capability of India's healthcare system.

The present government has made tireless efforts to meet the shortage of doctors in the state

He said that the shortage of doctors in the state will be addressed with the joining of the newly appointed medical officers. In addition, the recruitment process for 777 regular medical officer positions is currently underway. The Chief Minister highlighted that the present government has made continuous efforts to tackle the shortage of doctors. Notably, the government has increased the number of MBBS seats in the state to 2,185, compared to just 700 in 2014. Furthermore, the number of PG seats has been raised from 289 to 1,006, which will help meet the future demand for specialist doctors.

He also acknowledged that providing healthcare services to the country's population is a significant challenge. To address the shortage of doctors and paramedical staff, there is a pressing need to establish high-quality medical education institutions. As part of this initiative, the Haryana government has set an ambitious target of establishing a medical college in every district. To date, nine new medical colleges have been established, bringing the total number of medical colleges in the state to 15.

Providing affordable, accessible and modern medical facilities in the state is the top priority of the government

The Chief Minister said that providing affordable, accessible, and modern medical facilities in the state is the government's top priority. He highlighted that since 2014, the state government has recruited 2,807 medical officers. Appreciating the efforts of the doctors, the Chief Minister commended their hard work, adding that, as a result, Haryana has achieved the top position in the country under the Anemia Mukt Bharat program.

He pointed out that medical science is undergoing rapid advancements, with cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotic Surgery, and Gene Therapy revolutionizing the healthcare field. India is also making significant strides in these areas. To keep pace with these developments, doctors must continually update their knowledge and embrace new technologies to offer world-class, modern medical services to the citizens of the country.

The Chief Minister further said that before 2014, the system in Haryana made it necessary for young people to pay substantial fees to become doctors, with no government addressing this issue. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi and the "double engine" government of Haryana, the focus has been on ensuring that children from poor families also have the opportunity to become doctors. The government has worked to bring transparency to the recruitment process to facilitate this.

Haryana Government under the leadership of Chief Minister is committed to provide better healthcare services to the citizens - Health Minister Arti Singh Rao

On this occasion, Health Minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao said that the Haryana Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini is fully committed to providing better healthcare services to its citizens. She said that the Health Department of the state is continually upgrading its infrastructure, manpower, equipment, and medical supplies. Currently, health services in Haryana are being delivered through an extensive network that includes 22 District Civil Hospitals, 50 Sub-Divisional Hospitals, 122 Community Health Centres, 33 Dispensaries, 13 Polyclinics, 408 Primary Health Centres, 107 Urban Primary Health Centres, 55 First Referral Units, and 2,734 Sub Health Centres.

She said that nine Specialist MCH Wings will be established in Panchkula, Panipat, Faridabad, Sonipat, Palwal, Sirsa, Kaithal, Mahendragarh, and at the Medical College in Nuh. She also highlighted that the department has conducted GIS mapping of various health facilities, infrastructure, manpower, services, and equipment. This will assist in planning for the development of new infrastructure. As a result, 218 new sub-health centres, 82 new Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and 25 new Community Health Centres (CHCs) have been identified for establishment. Furthermore, the Health Minister mentioned that the Haryana government has started providing free dialysis services to kidney patients from October 17, 2024. Also, assistance of Rs 3,000 per month is being provided to Stage-3 and Stage-4 cancer patients.

Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Sudhir Rajpal, Director General of AYUSH Department, Sanjeev Verma and former Assembly Speaker, Gian Chand Gupta, along with other dignitaries were present in the program

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Mahant Baba Mastnath showed a new direction to society: Nayab Singh Saini

CM pays obeisance at Baba Mastnath Samadhi Mandir in Rohtak

We must move forward by following the path shown by Baba Mastnath: CM

CM announces Rs 1 lakh each for wrestlers Reetika Hooda and Nitika

Chandigarh, March 8 - Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini reached the Samadhi Mandir on the last day of the annual festival organized by Mahant Baba Mastnath Math in Rohtak district in memory of Baba Mastnath and offered floral tributes to him. The Chief Minister said Mahant Baba Mastnath showed a new direction to the society and we have to move forward by following the path shown by him.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, the Chief Minister reached the wrestling arena and inaugurated the match of wrestlers Reetika Hooda and Nitika and announced to give a sum of Rs 1 lakh each to both the players from his voluntary fund.

He also congratulated Reetika Hooda and Nitika for their good performance and said that in wrestling, one player wins and the other player gets the challenge to perform excellently in the future. He also wished the audience on the annual festival organized in the memory of Mahant Baba Mastnath. He said all the works related to Baba Mastnath Math will be completed by the government.

Earlier, on reaching the palace located in the Math premises, Mahant Balak Nath welcomed the Chief Minister and honoured him by presenting a memento and a shawl.

While talking to the media on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that he will present the state budget in the Vidhan Sabha on March 17. This budget will be presented keeping in mind the welfare of all sections.

Cooperation Minister Dr. Arvind Kumar Sharma, Education Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda, State Minister Sh. Rajesh Nagar, BJP State President Sh. Mohan Lal Badoli along with other officials were present on the occasion.

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Haryana Strengthens Green Energy Open Access with New Amendment

Chandigarh, 08th March, 2025.- The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has taken a significant step toward promoting green energy adoption in the state by introducing key amendment to the Green Energy Open Access Regulations, 2023. These amendments effective immediately, aim to simplify and expand access to clean energy sources, ensuring a more sustainable and efficient power supply.

One of the key changes allows consumers with a sanctioned load of 100 kW and above, whether through a single or multiple connections within the same electricity division, to be eligible for Green Energy Open Access. Additionally, captive consumers generating their own renewable power will now face no restrictions on the supply of power, making it easier for industries and businesses to transition to green energy.

The updated regulations also include provisions for electricity generation from non-fossil fuel-based Waste-to-Energy plants, enabling them to connect to the intra-state transmission and distribution system. This move encourages sustainable waste management practices while ensuring that energy produced from waste can contribute to Haryana’s power grid. To further simplify the process, consumers can now apply for connectivity and open access simultaneously, reducing procedural delays and making it easier for businesses and industries to switch to renewable energy sources.

Another significant amendment benefits consumers who are not on independent feeders, as they can now access open energy markets, provided they agree to system constraints and power cut restrictions imposed by the distribution licensee. Additionally, to promote offshore wind energy projects, the new regulations specify that no additional surcharge will be applied to power supplied from offshore wind projects commissioned until December 2032 for Open Access Consumers.

Chairman of HERC, Nand Lal Sharma, emphasised the importance of these amendments in driving Haryana towards a cleaner and more energy-efficient future. He stated: "By streamlining access to renewable energy and removing barriers to connectivity, these amendments will accelerate the transition towards a greener power grid. Our focus is to ensure that businesses and individuals can tap into clean energy sources with ease while maintaining grid stability and reliability."

These amendments mark a major milestone in Haryana’s journey toward clean energy transition. By facilitating wider participation in Green Energy Open Access, the state is paving the way for lower carbon emissions, enhanced energy security, and a sustainable future. With industries, businesses, and residential consumers now having better access to renewable power, Haryana is setting an example for other states to follow in building a resilient and green power ecosystem.

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Chandigarh, March 8 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a major initiative to resolve the long-standing issue of duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers within the next three months.

A spokesperson of the commission said this decision follows extensive discussions within the Commission’s technical teams and consultations with Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) across States and Union Territories.

He said with over 99 crore registered electors, India's electoral roll is the largest database of electors globally. As regards the issue of duplicate EPIC numbers, the Commission has already taken cognizance of the matter. Irrespective of an EPIC number, an elector who is linked to the electoral roll of a particular polling station can cast his vote at that polling station only and nowhere else.

Sample enquiry of over 100 electors revealed that electors with duplicate EPIC numbers are genuine electors. Since the allotment of EPIC series in the year 2000 to the States/UTs, some EROs did not use the correct series.

Previously, as each State/UT managed its electoral roll database independently, cross-state duplicate detection was not feasible.

The Commission has now decided to resolve this long pending issue after detailed discussions within the technical teams and concerned CEOs in the next three months by ensuring a unique national EPIC number to the existing electors having a duplicate EPIC number and for future electors as well. The move aims to strengthen the integrity of electoral rolls and prevent any potential discrepancies.

The ECI has reiterated that electoral roll updation is conducted transparently with active public and political party participation. The process includes appointment of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) at every polling booth by EROs, political parties appointing Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to verify voter lists and report anomalies, house-to-house verification conducted by BLOs, followed by scrutiny by EROs.

Draft electoral rolls are also published for public and political parties' review before finalization. If any person has any objection, he has the option to file the first appeal to the DM/District Collector/Executive Magistrate under section 24(a) of RP Act 1950. Even if the person is not satisfied with the decision of the first appellate authority, a second appeal to Chief Electoral Officer of the concerned State/UT under section 24(b) of RP Act 1950 can be filed.

The spokesperson said the Commission remains committed to ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections by strengthening the credibility of electoral rolls. Further details of state/UT-wise statistics on electoral roll updation can be accessed at voters.eci.gov.in/download-eroll.