The 19th meeting of the Haryana Enterprise Promotion Board (HEPB) was held in Chandigarh under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Several key decisions were taken in the meeting regarding the grant of special incentive packages and other relief measures to various industrial units with the objective of promoting industrial investment, manufacturing capacity and employment generation in the state. The projects approved during the meeting are expected to bring large-scale investments and create new employment opportunities for local youth in Haryana.
The special incentive packages for the projects were approved by HEPB based on the recommendations of the Executive Empowered Committee (EEC) headed by the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister. Industries and Commerce Minister Sh. Rao Narbir Singh was also present in the meeting.
During the meeting, BEUMER India Private Limited was granted approval for a special incentive package of Rs. 43.05 crore under the Haryana Enterprise and Employment Policy-2020. The company will establish a state-of-the-art intralogistics systems manufacturing facility in Jhajjar district, which will create employment opportunities for 138 youth in Haryana along with strengthening modern industrial infrastructure.
Similarly, AITMC Ventures Limited was granted approval for a special incentive package of Rs. 58.51 crore under the Haryana Enterprise and Employment Policy-2020. The company will establish a drone and drone components manufacturing hub in Hisar district, which will boost the defence and aerospace manufacturing sector and create employment opportunities for 800 youth in Haryana.
The meeting also approved a special incentive package of Rs. 31.68 crore for Abhiuday Print Industries Private Limited under the Haryana Enterprise and Employment Policy-2020. The project will promote investment in the advanced packaging materials manufacturing sector and provide employment opportunities to 105 youth in Haryana.
Similarly, Mark Exhaust Systems Limited was granted approval for a special incentive package of Rs. 39.95 crore under the Haryana Enterprise and Employment Policy-2020. The company will establish an auto components manufacturing unit in Jhajjar district, strengthening the state’s auto components manufacturing sector and generating employment opportunities for 123 youth in Haryana.
The meeting approved a special incentive package of Rs. 35.21 crore for Canpack India under the Haryana Enterprise and Employment Policy-2020. The company will expand its aluminium can manufacturing capacity in Mewat district, creating employment opportunities for the youth of Haryana.
In addition, ATL Battery Technology (India) Private Limited was granted a final extension of one year in the investment timeline for its project approved under the IT & ESDM Policy-2017. The company is setting up a lithium-ion cell and battery manufacturing project at Sohna in Nuh district.
The meeting also approved a special incentive package of Rs. 89.91 crore for Subros Limited under the Haryana Enterprise and Employment Policy-2020. The company will establish an auto components manufacturing facility at Kharkhoda in Sonipat district, which will promote the automobile and auto components sector in the state and create employment opportunities for 215 youth in Haryana.
Similarly, Jai Bharat Maruti Limited was granted approval for a special incentive package of Rs. 43.76 crore under the Haryana Enterprise and Employment Policy-2020. The project will further promote investment and employment generation in the automobile and auto components sector in the state.
Additionally, as per the request of Kandhari Beverages Private Limited, the previously approved special package under the Enterprise Promotion Policy-2015 was revised, and a modified special incentive package of Rs. 157.83 crore was approved.
Among those present in the meeting were Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Director General of Industries and Commerce Department Sh. Yash Garg, along with other senior officers.
*Haryana Takes Major Leap in Disaster Preparedness, Statewide Flood Mock Drill to Cover 13 Districts on May 14*
*First-of-its-kind large-scale exercise in coordination with NDMA aimed at strengthening flood response systems and community preparedness*
The Haryana Government will conduct a large-scale State-level flood mock drill simultaneously across 13 flood-prone districts on May 14. The exercise, being organised in coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), is being described as one of the most comprehensive disaster preparedness exercises ever undertaken in the state.
The large-scale exercise is part of Haryana’s broader strategy to improve institutional preparedness and ensure better coordination among departments and emergency agencies in the wake of recent flood experiences in 2023 and 2025. Addressing a Table Top Exercise and orientation session ahead of the mock drill, Financial Commissioner Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Sumita Misra said the state government has drawn valuable lessons from previous flood situations and is now focusing on proactive preparedness instead of reactive response.
Dr. Misra said the upcoming exercise is far more than a routine simulation. “This is a practical preparedness initiative designed to strengthen Haryana’s capability to respond effectively to future flood emergencies,” she stated, underlining the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and minimising disaster-related losses through advance planning and coordinated action.
The flood mock exercise will be conducted simultaneously in Gurugram, Ambala, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Panipat, Palwal, Sirsa, Sonipat and Yamunanagar districts. To ensure realistic emergency simulations, the drill will be organised at two separate locations in each district, allowing authorities to assess operational readiness and response mechanisms at multiple levels.
The exercise will involve coordinated participation from various government departments, police, health services, Fire and Emergency Services, SDRF, NDRF and local administrative teams. Officers believe the initiative will significantly strengthen inter-agency coordination and emergency response efficiency during actual flood situations.
One of the key highlights of the exercise is the emphasis on community participation and grassroots involvement. Aapda Mitra volunteers, Indian Red Cross Society members, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, Bharat Scouts and Guides, NYKS volunteers and several local NGOs will actively participate in the drill.
Dr. Misra stressed that disaster management cannot succeed without community involvement and public awareness. She directed all district administrations to ensure adequate publicity ahead of the exercise so that citizens understand that the activities are part of a planned mock drill and not a real emergency situation. She also instructed officers to ensure complete safety for civilians and students during the exercise.
The mock drill will also benefit from national-level expertise. Brigadier Ravinder Gurung (Retd.), Senior Consultant with NDMA, will supervise and guide the exercise from the State Headquarters. In addition, officers from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority — Mukta Ram Deka and Kishore Dutta — will participate in the exercise, reflecting growing inter-state cooperation and exchange of best practices in disaster management.
District administrations have also been directed to verify the availability and operational readiness of resources listed on the India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) portal to ensure that emergency resources are not only documented but are actually functional and accessible during crises.
The Haryana Government has made it clear that the exercise is intended to become part of a long-term improvement process. Dr. Sumita Misra directed that learnings and observations emerging from the Table Top Exercise and the May 14 mock drill will be documented and integrated into future disaster preparedness policies and response strategies across the state.
With the government, administration, emergency agencies and community organisations working in close coordination, Haryana is positioning itself as a proactive and disaster-ready state. The May 14 exercise is being viewed as a landmark step in transforming disaster management from a reactive system into a robust culture of preparedness and resilience.
Krishna S. Vatsa, Member, NDRF, emphasized the effective utilization of resources available with NDRF and SDRF. He also stressed the importance of coordination with early warning systems to mitigate emerging situations effectively.
The meeting was attended by Dusmanta Kumar Behera, Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Rahul Hooda, Special Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Col. J. S. Sandhu, Advisor Civil Military Affairs, Western Command Chandi Mandir, Rishi Mahajan, Second in Command, 7th Battalion NDRF, Bhatinda, Surender Paul, Director, Meteorological Centre, IMD, Chandigarh.
*Haryana’s Tele-MANAS Helpline Emerges as Lifeline for Thousands, Over 16,000 Citizens Seek Mental Health Support*
*State’s free tele-counselling initiative breaks stigma barriers, expands access to emotional care from cities to villages*
The State Government’s Tele-MANAS mental health helpline has emerged as a powerful support system for citizens battling emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.
Since its launch in November 2022, the helpline has received more than 16,000 calls, reflecting growing public trust in accessible and stigma-free mental healthcare services. Citizens can access the service free of cost by dialling the toll-free numbers 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, which are operational for mental health counselling and psychosocial support throughout Haryana.
In a major step towards strengthening crisis intervention mechanisms, Tele-MANAS have now been integrated with Haryana’s 112 Emergency Response System. Under this arrangement, suicide-related distress calls received through the emergency helpline are immediately diverted to trained Tele-MANAS counsellors for urgent psychological support and counselling.
Health officers say this integration has significantly improved the state’s ability to provide timely mental health intervention during emergencies and has added a critical layer of support within Haryana’s public health and emergency response framework.
The initiative, launched under the National Tele Mental Health Programme, has handled 16,159 calls as of May 10, 2026, offering free, confidential, and compassionate counselling support to people across the state. The growing response as a clear sign that conversations around mental health are gradually becoming more open and accepted in Haryana.
Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Haryana, Dr. Sumita Misra said the initiative represents a transformative step towards making mental healthcare accessible to every citizen, regardless of geography or social background. She said the government is committed to ensuring affordable, timely and confidential mental health services for all sections of society.
Dr. Misra emphasized that Tele-MANAS is more than just a helpline. “It is helping change the conversation around mental health and encouraging people to seek help without hesitation,” she noted, adding that reducing stigma remains one of the most important aspects of mental healthcare delivery.
*Nearly 10,000 Calls in Just One Year*
One of the most striking indicators of the initiative’s growing impact is the sharp increase in usage over the past year. Between May 2025 and April 2026 alone, the helpline received 9,669 calls — accounting for more than 60 per cent of the total calls since the service began. Health officers say the surge reflects rising awareness, increasing trust in counselling services, and improved outreach efforts across the state.
Dr. Misra stated that the free of cost service can be availed by dialling the toll-free numbers 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, which is operational for mental health counselling and psychosocial support throughout Haryana.
*Rural Haryana Shows Strong Participation*
What makes the initiative especially noteworthy is its deep reach into rural Haryana. According to official data, a majority of calls have come from rural and semi-urban areas, indicating that the service has successfully bridged a long-standing gap in mental healthcare access beyond major cities.
The data also provides insight into the nature of mental health concerns being reported. The most common issues include sadness, examination stress, anxiety, grief, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts. Around five per cent of the calls were related to children and adolescents, highlighting the growing need for emotional support among younger age groups and families. Approximately 40 per cent of the calls received during the last year were linked to diagnosed mental health disorders, underlining the importance of early intervention and continuous counselling support.
At the core of the Tele-MANAS initiative is a team of 20 trained counsellors who provide emotional support, crisis intervention, guidance, and referrals to citizens facing psychological distress. The counselling teams work continuously to ensure that help remains available to anyone in need.
Dr. Misra appreciated the efforts of the counsellors and healthcare teams, saying their dedication has played a crucial role in building public confidence in mental health services. She noted that increasing utilisation of the helpline reflects a positive social shift in the way people perceive emotional well-being and psychological support.
The Haryana Health Department has indicated that the government plans to further strengthen mental healthcare delivery by expanding awareness campaigns, improving community outreach, and enhancing tele-counselling infrastructure. The focus will remain on ensuring that mental health support reaches every citizen, including those living in remote villages and underserved areas.
With rising public participation, increasing awareness, and sustained institutional support, Tele-MANAS is rapidly emerging as one of Haryana’s most impactful healthcare initiatives — providing emotional support, hope, and timely intervention to thousands of citizens across the state, one call at a time.
