*HARYANA CHIEF MINISTER SH NAYAB SINGH PAYING FLORAL TRIBUTE TO LARE SH. DEBENDRA PRADHAN FATHER OF UNION MINISTER, EDUCATION SH.DHAMENDRA PRADHAN IN BHUBANESHWAR

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Haryana launched new Toll-Free Helpline 104 for doctor appointments

Chandigarh, March 21 – In line with Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini's commitment to providing healthcare services online, the Haryana Health Department has launched a toll-free helpline 104 to help patients book appointments with doctors in government hospitals.

Health and Medical Education Minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao inaugurated this portal today from Sector-1, Panchkula.

Meanwhile addressing the media, she said that today is a historic day for the Health Department. The helpline will also allow people to register complaints related to healthcare services, which will be addressed within five days. Besides this, the helpline will provide information about medicines as well. CMO’s from across the state participated in the event via video conferencing. She said that the main objective of the portal is to prevent people from standing in queues at civil hospitals. Appointments for doctor consultations can be scheduled in advance by dialing 104, she added.

Responding to questions, Kumari Arti Singh Rao stated necessary steps will be taken to ensure the safety of healthcare workers in hospitals and 761 new doctors have recently been appointed to address staff shortages. She also mentioned that the existing e-telemedicine services will be integrated with this new system. Besides this, she said that a meeting with the Public Works Department will soon be held to discuss hospital maintenance and repair work.

Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Director General Health Services, Dr. Manish Bansal, Director, National Health Mission, Dr. Virender Yadav, Dr. Kuldeep Singh and other officers of the department also remained present.

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World Forestry Day celebrated at the foothills of Dhosi hills

We need to preserve and expand forests for future generations -Rao Narbir Singh

Chandigarh, March 21– Haryana Environment, Forest, and Wildlife Minister, Rao Narbir Singh said that trees are important for life, climate balance, and biodiversity. We need to preserve and expand forests for future generations. To support this, Haryana, under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, is actively promoting Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s campaign, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" .

Rao Narbir Singh was speaking as the Chief Guest in a programme organised at the foot of Dhosi Hills on the occasion of World Forestry Day today. He appealed to the people to plant a tree on every special occasion and care for it until it matures.

He also encouraged people to avoid printed wedding invitations and instead use digital invitations. Besides this, he also advised against using plastic bags to protect the environment.

He said that one of Haryana’s unique initiatives, "Pran Vayu Devta Yojana," provides an annual financial assistance of Rs. 3,000 to those who care for trees older than 75 years. This scheme aims to prevent tree cutting and promote environmental conservation.

To safeguard the Aravalli hills, both central and state governments have launched the Aravalli Green Wall project, and Aravalli Green Yatra will also be started soon. This scheme will also be implemented in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. Besides this, Haryana has also established 53 herbal parks, featuring medicinal plants and significant tree species. To boost eco-tourism, the state has developed a 153-km natural rail route from Pinjore to Kalesar. Besides this, Haryana has announced the creation of the world’s largest wildlife safari, Aravali Safari Park, in the Gurugram and Nuh regions.

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Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal said that as per the guidelines of the Election Commission, Chief Electoral Officers of states and union territories are responsible for ensuring free and transparent elections.

Chandigarh, March 21– Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal said that as per the guidelines of the Election Commission, Chief Electoral Officers of states and union territories are responsible for ensuring free and transparent elections. Over the past month, the Election Commission has organised training programmes for capacity building of more than 1 crore election officers and employees.

He said that meetings have been held with around 5,000 representatives of political parties at the level of state election registration officers, district election officers, and chief electoral officers. The Election Commission also shared that India, as a strong democracy, has nearly 100 crore registered voters who participate in the electoral process, strengthening the country's reputation globally. Besides this, the Commission will soon consult experts from UIDAI and other relevant fields on technical aspects.

The Chief Electoral Officer further said that though an elector can only vote in the assigned polling booth and nowhere else, the Commission has resolved to remove duplicates countrywide in EPIC numbers and end a decades-long issue within 3 months. He said that the booth level agents of political parties play an important role in preparing an error-free voter list, which provides accurate information about the voter to the booth level officer. The process of updating voter lists is continuous and overseen by the Chief Electoral Officer, he added.

He said that the process of ensuring the participation of political parties in the election process has to be completed by the Chief Electoral Officers at the all-India level. The Election Commission of India has also invited suggestions from political parties till April 30, 2025. Besides this, the parties have also been extended an invitation to meet the Commission in Delhi at a mutually convenient time.

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Jal Shakti Abhiyan - Catch the Rain 2025 to be launched from Panchkula Today

Union Jal Shakti Minister , Haryana Chief Minister to remain present

Chandigarh, March 21 – Strengthening efforts for water conservation and sustainable resource management, Haryana will host the national launch of the sixth edition of Jal Shakti Abhiyan – ‘Catch the Rain 2025’ at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula on March 22, 2025.

Acknowledging Haryana’s consistent success in executing national initiatives over the past decade, Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has entrusted Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini with spearheading this crucial campaign.

Sharing more details in this regard an official spokesperson said that Union Jal Shakti Minister Sh. C.R. Patil will be the chief guest at the event. Haryana Chief Minister, Sh.Nayab Singh Saini and Irrigation & Water Resources Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry will also be present on the occasion.

Notably, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan was initiated in 2019. This national campaign focuses on water conservation, rejuvenation of ponds and water bodies, rainwater harvesting, revival of disappearing river streams, and other critical water management efforts.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister, Haryana has established the Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority (HPWWMA), which is working towards treating and utilizing water from ancient ponds for irrigation and other purposes. This initiative is part of the same vision.

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DGHS grants approval for kidney organ transplants at Command Hospital Western Command– Health Minister

Second such facility in Tricity after PGIMER Chandigarh

Haryana Government already providing free dialysis services in state-run hospitals for kidney patients

Chandigarh, March 21 - Haryana Health Minister Kumari Aarti Singh Rao said that the State Health Department has granted approval for kidney organ transplants at the Command Hospital Western Command (Panchkula) in the Tricity area. This makes it the second public hospital sector facility to receive this approval, after PGIMER Chandigarh.

The approval was granted by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Haryana-cum-the State Appropriate Authority responsible for overseeing organ transplantation in the state. This will significantly enhance healthcare services in the region, particularly for patients requiring kidney transplants.

Minister Kumari Aarti Singh Rao said that the approval to the Command Hospital Western Command is a crucial step towards expanding access to life-saving organ transplantation services in Haryana.

It is worthwhile to mention here that the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has been actively working to promote organ donation and transplantation across India. The organization has established comprehensive guidelines and protocols for organ transplantation, including kidney transplants.

The Minister also said that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the state government is already providing free dialysis services in state-run hospitals for kidney patients. Moreover, the state’s healthcare infrastructure is being continuously expanded to ensure that even the most vulnerable populations have access to necessary treatments. This approval will significantly improve the region's healthcare services, benefiting a large number of patients in need of kidney transplants, she added.

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Haryana first state in country where maximum crops are purchased on MSP: Shyam Singh Rana

Chandigarh, March 21 - Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said Haryana is the first state in the country where maximum crops are being purchased at Minimum Support Price (MSP). He said this on the occasion of the launch of mustard procurement at the Radaur grain market in Yamunanagar district. This year, mustard is being purchased at the minimum support price of Rs 5950 per quintal.

The Agriculture Minister interacted with the commission agents in the grain market and took stock of mustard lifting, packaging availability and other problems. He told the commission agents that if they have any kind of problem, they should immediately inform the government so that it can be resolved on time.

The Cabinet Minister instructed the officials that farmers should not face any problem in selling the crop and the procurement work should be completed soon. He also warned that strict action will be taken against any officer or employee if he is negligent in his work. He asked them to ensure that proper facilities are provided to farmers, traders and workers in the mandis. He informed that he himself had requested Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini to start mustard procurement as soon as possible. Taking immediate cognizance of this request, the Chief Minister approved to start procurement from March 15. After the programme, the Agriculture Minister also visited Ladwa and Indri grain markets and inspected the procurement operations.

Government working to double the income of farmers

Talking to the media after the programme, Rana said the BJP government is making continuous efforts to solve the problems of farmers and double their income. He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and under the guidance of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the government is protecting the interests of farmers. The Agriculture Minister appealed to the farmers to conserve water, adopt crop diversification, protect the environment and avoid stubble burning. He advised the farmers to adopt coarse grains instead of water-intensive crops and said that the government will provide all possible assistance in this regard.

Farmers who give up paddy will get assistance of Rs 8000 per acre

The Agriculture Minister announced that the Haryana Government has made a provision in the budget for the year 2025-26 to give a grant amount of Rs 8,000 per acre to those farmers who will give up paddy cultivation and grow other crops. Apart from this, the subsidy given for direct sowing of paddy (DSR) has also been increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,500 per acre. He said being a farmer himself, he advises farmers to cultivate mustard, moong and urad, as these crops increase soil fertility and improve nitrogen levels.

Natural farming will get a boost

Sh. Rana said it is important for every citizen to promote natural farming. He said the Haryana Government has set a target to increase the area under natural farming from 25,000 acres to 1 lakh acres in the budget for 2025-26. He stressed that this method will not only provide chemical-free food to human health, nutritious fodder will also be available for animals and the rate of diseases will decrease. Highlighting the benefits of natural farming, he said in this method chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not used and farming is done through natural resources and beneficial microorganisms. This is an environmentally friendly method, which is beneficial for both farmers and the environment along with reducing the cost of cultivation.

Farmers' income doubled in 2024 as compared to 2014

Responding to a question, the Agriculture Minister said the income of farmers from mustard, wheat and paddy crops in the year 2014 has doubled in 2024. He attributed this achievement to the important decisions taken under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister.

The Cabinet Minister further said that the Chief Minister has written a letter to the Central Government demanding subsidy on essential agricultural equipment. Apart from this, the Haryana Government has recently passed many important bills in the interest of farmers during the budget session.

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Haryana Chief Secretary Stresses on Reducing Compliance Burden and Deregulation for Industries

Chandigarh, March 21 – Haryana Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi emphasized the importance of reducing compliance burden and deregulation to foster a more business-friendly environment in the state. Speaking at a workshop on Reducing Compliance Burden and Deregulation under Ease of Doing Business, he welcomed the creation of the Ease of Doing Business Cell in the Cabinet Secretariat by the Government of India, aimed at involving all states to strengthen the industrial sector and enhance entrepreneurial opportunities.

Highlighting Haryana’s ambitious vision of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2047, the Chief Secretary stressed that such major initiatives are crucial for economic growth and investment promotion. The workshop was a significant step in Haryana’s ongoing efforts to enhance industrial growth and streamline business operations in the state. Discussions and directives during the session laid the foundation for further reforms to create an investor-friendly ecosystem.

Strategic Reforms and Action Plan

Smt. Vandana Gurnani, Secretary (Coordination), Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, and Dr. D. Suresh, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries & Commerce, welcomed the participants and elaborated on Haryana’s proactive industrial policies. They emphasized the need for a collaborative approach across all departments to ensure a conducive business environment. Dr. D. Suresh also stressed the importance of a coordinated effort across government departments to create a more business-friendly ecosystem and drive industrial growth in the state.

Smt. Vandana Gurnani laid down a 23-point agenda under 4 priority sectors regulations spanning across land, utilities, labour and building code. It was decided that a time-bound action plan will be designed by Haryana to implement the agenda successfully.

The workshop was attended by key government officials, including Sh. Yash Garg, Director General, Industries & Commerce, and Sh. Sushil Sarwan, MD, HSIIDC. Senior officers from 28 departments of Haryana and over 30 representatives from industrial associations and businesses also participated in the workshop, underscoring the state's commitment to regulatory simplification and economic transformation.

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CM presented historic budget, all sections of society will benefit from it: Krishan Kumar Bedi

Chandigarh, March 21- Haryana's Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi, addressing a press conference in the auditorium of the District Secretariat on Friday, said the budget of Haryana has been prepared keeping in mind all sections of society.

He said the budget of Haryana has been presented by keeping in mind the suggestions of farmers, agriculture, businessmen, employees and players. He said the economy of the state will improve with this budget.

The Cabinet Minister said the Chief Minister has given special attention to farmers in the agriculture sector and announcements have also been made for soldiers in the budget. Haryana has the highest per capita income among the major states and the revenue deficit has decreased in the last 10 years. He said Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini is constantly engaged in making announcements in public interest and Haryana is now counted among the leading states of the country. Interest-free loan up to Rs 1 lakh will be made available to women farmers for setting up dairy, subsidy amount on purchase of desi cow has been increased to Rs 30,000, sale of urea and fertilizer will be linked to Meri Fasal Meri Byora portal and the land limit for getting benefits under natural farming has been reduced to one acre.

The Cabinet Minister congratulated the district administration officials for successfully conducting the local body elections and thanked all the voters.