CM flags off Ayodhya darshan bus under Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana from Chandigarh

Chandigarh, March 12 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh flagged off a bus to Ayodhya under the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana’ from his residence, Sant Kabir Kutir, today. Before the departure, Chief Minister interacted with the pilgrims on board, and enquired about their well-being, and extended his best wishes for their journey.

The Chief Minister said that the government is implementing various welfare schemes for all sections of society. The Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana is one such initiative, offering free pilgrimage trips to senior citizens above the age of 60 years. The scheme is for people having annual income up to Rs. 1.80 lakh or less. About 46 passengers from Ambala and Panchkula are included in this yatra. They will visit Ayodhya, followed by Hanuman Garhi and Sarayu River. So far, more than 800 people have benefitted from this scheme. People interested in availing the benefits of the scheme must register on the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana portal.

Additional Director, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Sh. Vivek Kalia, and Press Secretary, Sh. Praveen Attrey was also present.

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Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini showing victory sign after the Bhartiya Janta Party win in Civic Body Polls, at Chandigarh on March 12, 2025.

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PROCEEDINGS OF VIDHAN SABHA

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Haryana government to investigate transfer of any Shamlat Deh land to Waqf Board across the state

A committee headed by Rohtak Divisional Commissioner to be formed to investigate the Peer Bodhi issue

The committee will thoroughly investigate all the facts and records related to this issue

Chandigarh, March 12 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, while making an announcement in the Assembly today, said that if Shamlat Deh land from any village in Haryana has been transferred to the Waqf Board, a thorough investigation of the same will be conducted. He said that a committee will be formed under the chairmanship of Rohtak Divisional Commissioner to investigate the Peer Bodhi issue, located on the Rohtak-Gohana road. Karnal Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Rohtak also serve as members of the committee. The committee will meticulously examine all relevant facts and records associated with this issue.

The Chief Minister said that the government has taken the Peer Bodhi issue, raised by a member in the House, very seriously. Preliminary investigations have revealed that in 1967-68, this land was Shamlat Deh land. In 1990, the Government of India notified the land in the name of the Punjab Waqf Board. Subsequently, this land was registered as a cemetery, and it is now in the name of the Waqf Board.

He said that the transfer of Shamlat Deh land to the Waqf Board is a very serious matter. He also raised questions about the forces and individuals responsible for the transfer of land and how it was carried out. After a long legal process, the land, in 2024, is now under the management of the Waqf Board and is being leased out.

The Chief Minister also assured that the state government is committed to the conservation of Johar, ponds, and reservoirs. To facilitate this, the state government amended the Haryana Gram Shamlat Land (Regulation) Act 2024, granting ownership rights to individuals living in houses up to 500 yards on Shamlat Deh land. However, it was stipulated that no houses can be built on land where there is a Johar, pond, or reservoir. The government has been dedicated to preserving these natural resources.

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Chandigarh, March 12 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, while reacting to the results of the local body elections in the Vidhan Sabha today, said that the outcome of today's elections has proven that the people of Haryana are with the development, transparency, and good governance. He further said that, with a substantial majority, the people have provided the third engine to the cities for the non-stop development of the state.

The Chief Minister said that along with the rural areas, cities have a big responsibility in the path of realizing the vision of developed India. He expressed optimism that, under the newly elected leadership, the governments of cities will accelerate development and public service in alignment with the aspirations of the people.

The Chief Minister also extended his gratitude to the people of the state, the State Election Commission, and all the officers and staff involved in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the local body elections in the state.

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Chandigarh, March 12- Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Sh. Vipul Goel said that a stadium and city park will be constructed soon by removing the high tension wires from the identified land in Bawani Khera.

He gave this information in response to a question during the ongoing budget session of the Haryana Assembly here today.

He said that the Chief Minister had announced the reconstruction of the Valmiki Stadium in Bawani Khera. This announcement was dropped when it was found unviable due to high-tension wires passing on the identified land. In this regard, he has held a meeting with the officials.

Soon, both the works will be completed on the identified 15 acres of land by removing the high tension wires.

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Chandigarh, March 12 - Haryana Public Works Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said that a proposal to build a highway from Sewah to Yamunanagar via Kurukshetra is under consideration with the National Highway Authority of India. Its construction will also solve the problem of bypass in Kurukshetra.

He gave this information in response to a question during the ongoing budget session of Haryana Assembly here today. The proposal for its repair work is under consideration with NHAI.

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Chandigarh, March 12- Haryana Public Works Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said that the state government is committed to construct strong and good quality roads in the state. He informed that the repair work of the road from Pehowa to Kurukshetra University Gate No. 3 is going on. A high quality road will soon be built there.

The Minister was replying a question during the ongoing budget session in Haryana Assembly here today.

He informed that the total length of the road from Pehowa to Kurukshetra University Gate No. 3 is 22 km. Out of this, about 5 km of road is in good condition and the work for improvement of the rest of the road will be done rapidly in the coming time.

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Chandigarh, March 12- Haryana Public Health Engineering Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said that the proposal for construction of 19.50 MLD Industrial Sewage Treatment Plant in Jagadhari, Yamunanagar district, is under consideration of the government. This work will begin in April 2025. He gave this information in response to a question during the ongoing budget session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly here today.

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Chandigarh, March 12- Haryana Urban Local Bodies Minister Sh. Vipul Goel said that the construction work of the Municipal Corporation building in Yamunanagar will start soon. He was answering a question during the budget session in the Haryana Assembly.

He mentioned that the work had been halted because the issue regarding the land designated for the construction of the building was taken to court. However, a new location has now been selected, and once all the formalities are completed, the work will commence. Administrative approval of Rs 41.26 crore has been granted for this project.

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Chandigarh, March 12 – Haryana Public Health Engineering Minister, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, said that plans are underway to provide city-like facilities in three villages of Pundri constituency under the Mahagram Yojana. The scheme will be implemented in Habdi, Pabnawa, and Karoda villages. Work will commence soon in these villages, where proposals for land availability have already been received.

Sh. Ranbir Gangwa made this statement while responding to a question during the budget session of the Haryana Assembly.

He further mentioned that under the Mahagram Yojana, the Haryana Government is dedicated to providing sewerage and drinking water facilities in villages with a population of over 10,000, mirroring the facilities found in urban areas. In addition, he shared that work under this scheme has nearly been completed in Pai village, located in the Pundri constituency.

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Chandigarh, March 12 – Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar, said that the repair and maintenance of phirnis fall under the purview of Panchayati Raj Institutions, including Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad. These works are being carried out by these bodies using both their own funds and government funds.

The Development and Panchayat Minister made this statement while responding to a question raised by MLA Kuldeep Vats during the ongoing Budget Session of the Haryana Assembly today.

Sh. Panwar further shared that the condition of phirnis in 14 villages (Bajitpur, Bupania, Chhabili, Dadri Toye, Kasani, Kherka Gujjar, Ladpur, Mubarikpur, Mundakhera, Pelpa, Samsapur Mazra, Sinkadarpur, Subana, and Tumbaheri) in the Badli Assembly Constituency is satisfactory. He mentioned that work on the phirnis in three villages—Yakubpur, Aurangpur, and Kot—is currently underway. The work in Yakubpur is expected to be completed by March 30, 2025, in Aurangpur by April 30, 2025, and in Kot by June 30, 2025.

Sh. Panwar also highlighted that there are 6,225 panchayats in the state, with 1,000 villages included in the first phase. Out of these, 955 villages have been selected, and work on phirnis and street lights has already begun in these areas.

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Chandigarh, March 12- Haryana Public Health Engineering Minister Sh. Ranbir Gangwa said that the Haryana Government is dedicated to providing tap water to every household. In this direction, the Public Health Department is carrying out work in Baroda constituency at a cost of Rs 49.41 crore and so far, more than Rs 27 crore has been spent on this.

He gave this information in response to a question during the budget session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly.

He said that out of 67 villages in the constituency, canal based water supply is being given in 61 villages through 40 Jal Ghar (water tanks). Apart from this, drinking water has been arranged through 10 tube wells in 6 villages.

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Chandigarh, March 12 - Haryana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that the state government provides up to 50 percent subsidy on solar-fencing installed for the protection of horticultural crops.

If a farmer purchases solar-fencing wire from the market as per the parameters set by the Horticulture Department, he will get the subsidy benefit.

The Agriculture Minister was responding to a question asked by a member of the House during the budget session of Haryana Legislative Assembly today.

He said that the farmers of the state can protect their horticultural crops from stray animals through solar-fencing. So far, farmers from 7 districts of the state have taken advantage of this scheme of the government.

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Chandigarh, March 12- Haryana Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda informed that work is being done on the proposal to remove silt from the existing dam of Markanda river and fill the cracks in it. The work of removing silt will be completed by June 30, 2025 and the work of filling the cracks will be completed by June 30, 2026.

Responding to a question in the House, he said that the proposal has been approved through two schemes to strengthen the embankments of Markanda river. The work of embankments will be timely started and completed before the upcoming monsoon of 2025.

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Strict action will be taken against travel agents who send youth abroad illegally: Mahipal Dhanda

In the last 5 years, 2,008 cases of illegal migration were registered by SIT, in which 1,917 people were arrested

Chandigarh, March 12 - Haryana Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said strict action will be taken against travel agents who send Haryana youth abroad illegally. He informed that the state government has prepared the Haryana Travel Agents Registration and Regulation Bill, 2025 and many agents working illegally have also been arrested after registration of cases.

Sh. Mahipal Dhanda was responding to a calling attention motion brought by some members of the House during the budget session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly today regarding the fraud being committed in the name of sending people abroad illegally.

He said migration has been an integral part of human history, driven by the universal aspiration for a better life. For centuries, people have moved across borders in search of economic opportunities, security and improved living standards. Today, migration has become a defining global trend, with millions of people moving to different countries every year.

He said with globalization and technological advancement, migration routes have expanded. However, stringent immigration laws and limited legal options often force migrants to take alternate and at times illegal routes. This transforms migration from a pursuit of legal opportunity to a highly risky and illegal endeavour.

He said it is a fact that in Haryana, there has been an increase in the incidents of migration to other countries in recent years. Along with legal migration, incidents of illegal migration through the 'Donkey Route', are also coming to light. This is not only a problem of Haryana but is also prevalent in other states of the country like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and southern states where agents send individuals through several countries and then try to get them illegally entered in US and Canada. People who are unaware of immigration laws or are eager to go out of their homes are more likely to be exploited.

Investigations in various cases and interrogation of recently deported persons have revealed that these people desirous of going abroad first go to countries like Dubai, Spain, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand etc. from India on legal basis like work visa, tourist visa, study visa or visa on arrival. From there, these people use the donkey route to enter western countries like US and Canada illegally.

He said in view of this problem, the Haryana Government has taken several concrete steps to take strict action against illegal agents, strengthen law enforcement and make people, especially the youth, aware about the serious dangers of illegal migration. The state government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in May 2020 under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police, Karnal Range to dismantle the network of illegal agents. Thereafter, a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by the state government in April 2023 under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police, Ambala Range, which also included Superintendents of Police, Ambala and Kaithal. Through this, strict action is being taken against the criminals by thoroughly investigating all the cases of fraud and cheating related to illegal migration (Kabootarbaazi). He informed that the SIT has issued helpline number 80530-03400 for complaints related to illegal immigration. Under this, raids were conducted and the offices of fraudulent agents were sealed. The statements of the victims have proved helpful in understanding the modus operandi of these networks, leading to significant progress in the research.

He informed that police officers are tracing financial transactions, travel records and digital communications to take action against illegal migration networks. DSP level officers in each district have been appointed as nodal officers to monitor and supervise illegal immigration fraud cases.

He informed that during the last five years, a total of 2,008 illegal migration cases were registered by the SIT, in which 1,917 people were arrested and an amount of more than Rs 26.08 crore was recovered.

He said the state government has prepared the Haryana Travel Agents Registration and Regulation Bill, 2025, which aims to ensure transparency, accountability and integrity of travel agents. This bill will curb illegal and fraudulent activities and protect the interests of the residents of Haryana. He informed that registration of all travel agents/agencies operating in Haryana is mandatory. If any travel agent / agency is found involved in any illegal activity, its registration will be canceled. Operating as a travel agent/agency without a registration certificate will be a punishable offence.

Provision of punishment and fine, if found guilty, in cases of human trafficking or preparing fake documents is also there. The court will have the right to confiscate the property of the culprits and award appropriate compensation to the victim, which will be paid by the travel agent.

He informed that 332 deported Indians were repatriated by the US in February 2025 through three flights. Of the 104 Indians in the first flight on February 5, 33 were from Haryana. In the second flight on February 15, 116 Indians returned, of which 34 were from Haryana. The third flight on February 16 brought 112 Indians, of which 44 were from Haryana. Thus, of the total 332 deported citizens, the highest 126 (38%) were from Punjab, and 111 (33%) from Haryana. Arrangements were made to safely transport all 111 state residents to their native places.

The minister informed that the deportation of Indian citizens from the US is not a new development. A total of 15,896 Indians have been deported from 2009 to February 2025.

35 FIRs have been registered in respect of 111 persons deported recently in Haryana and 12 agents have been arrested from whom Rs 35.31 lakh has been recovered. Beyond law enforcement, the Haryana Government is also giving priority to the welfare and rehabilitation of the deported citizens. The returned citizens are being provided medical check-ups, psychological counselling and temporary support to help them re-adjust into society.

Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said the government is aware of the problem and multi-pronged steps are being taken to deal with it. While strict legal action is being taken against the agents and brokers involved in this heinous crime, a new law is being introduced in this session of the House to prevent such crimes in future. Also, efforts are being made at various levels to create awareness among the citizens to adopt legal path to pursue opportunities abroad.

He said that he assures the members of the Vidhan Sabha that the government is committed to protect the interests of the citizens and no culprit involved in illegal immigration cases will be spared.