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Home Budget Session Concludes Successfully, 55 Hours of Meaningful Discussion Held: CM Budget Session Concludes Successfully, 55 Hours of Meaningful Discussion Held: CM

Budget Session Concludes Successfully, 55 Hours of Meaningful Discussion Held: CM

Budget Session Concludes Successfully, 55 Hours of Meaningful Discussion Held: CM

Budget Session Concludes Successfully, 55 Hours of Meaningful Discussion Held: CM

Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, while addressing the media after the conclusion of the Budget Session 2026–27, said that the session commenced on February 20 with the Governor’s Address and concluded successfully. He informed that the session lasted for 13 days with 13 sittings, during which approximately 55 hours of positive and meaningful discussions were held. The Chief Minister stated that he presented his second Budget as Finance Minister on March 2, which was discussed in detail for 10 hours and 3 minutes in the House. During this discussion, 7 members from the opposition spoke for 2 hours and 47 minutes, while 15 members from the Treasury benches spoke for 6 hours and 47 minutes. Independent members also shared their views. He informed that three important resolutions were passed unanimously during the session. These included the dissolution of the Housing Board, repeal of the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993, and amendments related to the GST tax structure. In addition, provisions related to the ‘Viksit Bharat G RAM G Yojana’ were also discussed, addressing concerns of the public and rural labourers. The Chief Minister said that discussions were also held on various calling attention motions raised by legislators. Key issues included procurement of paddy and other crops, declining per-acre sugarcane yield in the state, and the discontinuation of services by private hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. He further informed that a total of eight Bills were discussed in the House. These included the Haryana Appropriation (No. 1 and 2) Bills, 2026, Haryana Extension Lecturers and Guest Lecturers (Security of Service) Amendment Bill, Travel Agents Registration and Regulation Amendment Bill, Police Amendment Bill, Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Amendment Bill, Urban Area Development Amendment Bill, and Land Consolidation Amendment Bill. Referring to the lecture delivered by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat on natural farming on the final day of the session, the Chief Minister said that his guidance provided a new direction to the House. Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that the Rajya Sabha election was conducted in accordance with democratic procedures, in which their candidate Sanjay Bhatia emerged victorious. He said that the protests being carried out by Congress reflect its internal condition, and it is unclear what is happening within the party. Taking a dig at Congress, he said that for the first time in the state, the party’s top leadership was seen acting as polling agents. He remarked that the Congress leadership no longer has trust in its own members and has also lost the confidence of the people. He added that even those who were working with honestly in the party are now losing faith. Sh. Saini stated that the role of Congress in the Assembly was disappointing. He said they raised issues but left the House when it was time to listen to replies. He alleged that Congress lacks both clear policy and direction, which will further weaken the party in the future. In response to another question, the Chief Minister said that contesting elections as an independent candidate is a democratic right and cannot be restricted. He accused Congress of undermining democratic values, stating that contradictions are clearly visible in the statements and conduct of its leaders. Referring to Abhay Chautala, he said that in a democracy everyone has the right to vote or not vote. If any assurance was given, it should have been honoured. The Chief Minister also stated that one of their votes was declared invalid, against which they had raised an objection with the Election Commission, but it was not accepted. Despite this, he said he respected the democratic process and accepted the decision. In response to another question, he said that during the Rajya Sabha elections, INLD acted as the B-team of Congress and attempted to strengthen the party. On this occasion, the Chief Minister’s Media Secretary, Sh. Praveen Attrey, was also present. ******* Special Lecture on Natural Farming in Haryana Assembly, Speaker Harvinder Kalyan Calls Natural Farming the Need of the Hour Chandigarh, March 18 — Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sh. Harvinder Kalyan said that it is a special occasion for the Assembly to have a distinguished personality like Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat present in the House to share his views on an important subject like natural farming. He stated that Acharya Devvrat is not only deeply connected with natural farming but has also made remarkable contributions in this field. For years, he has been making continuous efforts to turn natural farming into a mass movement across the country and inspiring farmers to adopt farming practices in harmony with nature. Harvinder Kalyan said that Haryana is an agriculture-dominated state, and therefore the importance of natural farming becomes even greater. In many regions of the state, the groundwater level is declining rapidly, and paddy-wheat-based farming is putting excessive pressure on water resources. He emphasized that the need of the hour is to develop a balanced agricultural system through natural farming that protects soil, water, environment, and human health. Referring to his visit to Gujarat, he said that he had detailed discussions with Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankarbhai Chaudhary. After watching the model and documentary on natural farming presented by Acharya Devvrat, he got a closer understanding of its usefulness. During this visit, he invited the Governor to Haryana Vidhan Sabha, which was gladly accepted. Sh. Kalyan said that today’s lecture provided all legislators with in-depth knowledge about natural farming. Many members showed keen interest and raised questions, which were answered in detail by the Governor. He expressed confidence that through public representatives, this message will reach farmers, encouraging them to adopt natural farming in line with the needs of the time. This will strengthen the agricultural sector and contribute significantly to achieving the goal of a developed India. On this occasion, Leader of Opposition Sh. Bhupinder Singh Hooda described natural farming as a very important subject, stating that it is not only related to food but also to human health. He expressed concern that diseases are increasing due to chemical farming and emphasized that it is time to return to nature by adopting natural farming. He also suggested that along with promoting natural farming, it is equally important to ensure fair prices for farmers’ produce so that farming becomes profitable and farmers are encouraged to adopt it. ******** Row Over Rajya Sabha Polls: CM Accuses Congress of Subverting Democracy Accusing others of killing democracy reflects Congress’s frustration; in reality, their own statements have harmed democratic values, and they should apologise, says CM Chandigarh, March 18 — Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday mounted a sharp attack on the Congress over the Rajya Sabha elections, alleging that the party itself is guilty of undermining democratic principles. Terming Congress’s claim of ‘murder of democracy’ as politically motivated, he said such assertions betray the party’s frustration and that its own statements have, in fact, weakened democratic discourse. Speaking during the ongoing Budget Session of the State Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the issue did not formally arise for discussion in the House. However, he noted that senior member Dr. Raghubir Singh Kadian, a former Speaker, had questioned the necessity of fielding a third candidate. He also referred to remarks made to the media by MLA Geeta Bhukkal, who alleged that government ministers had sought to poach Congress MLAs. The Chief Minister clarified that the third candidate was not backed by them, but was an independent candidate fielded by independent members. He emphasized that in a democracy, every individual has the right to contest elections. The independent candidate had approached them for support and had also sought votes from the Congress. Ultimately, those who chose to back him did so in accordance with their conscience. There should be no objection to that. The attempts to cast aspersions on the process were unwarranted, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. ******* No distress among small traders, says Haryana CM; rebuts Opposition’s claims on online shopping UPI has reached the last mile; only Congress has an issue, says Saini CM questions Opposition’s absence during Question Hour: ‘Don’t turn up even for their own questions’ Chandigarh, March 18 — Rejecting the Opposition’s claim that the rise of online shopping is adversely affecting small traders, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said there is no evidence of distress, in fact, the expansion of digital payments has strengthened small businesses and widened access to formal transactions at the grassroots. Replying to a question raised by MLA, Sh. Balwan Singh Daulatpuria, during Question Hour during the ongoing Budget Session of the State Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that under the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has emerged as a major force in digital transactions, with even street vendors and hawkers now using UPI-based payment systems. There is no difficulty being faced by any trader or shopkeeper. If there is a problem, it is only for the Congress, said the Chief Minister. Responding to the proposal of imposing heavy taxes on online shopping to support small retailers, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the Opposition’s argument reflected a lack of understanding of the facts. Such statements are made in the absence of proper information, he said. Referring to the Covid-19 period, the Chief Minister said that the Centre had provided interest-free loans of up to Rs. 10,000 to street vendors to ensure they did not face hardship. He reiterated that traders are not facing any difficulty, adding that the only concern appears to be political and that transactions are increasingly taking place through digital channels. CM flags absence of Congress MLAs Taking a swipe at the Opposition, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said a majority of Congress MLAs were not present in the House during Question Hour. The Opposition appears so frustrated and disheartened that its members did not even come to hear replies to their own questions. If they are not present for that, how will they effectively raise the issues of the people in the House? he said. ********** Five Bills Passed on the Final Day of Haryana Assembly Budget Session Chandigarh, March 18 — On the final day of the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, five bills were passed after discussion. These include the Haryana Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2026, Haryana Police (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Haryana Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2026, Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and Haryana Consolidation of Project Land (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill, 2026. Haryana Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2026 The bill authorizes the withdrawal and appropriation of a total amount of ₹2,79,602,43,26,340 from the Consolidated Fund of the State of Haryana to meet expenditure on services during the financial year 2026–27 ending March 31, 2027. — Haryana Police (Amendment) Bill, 2026 This bill was passed to amend the Haryana Police Act, 2007. The Act was originally notified on June 2, 2008. Section 65 provides for the functions of the State Police Complaints Authority, while Section 68(g) deals with the functions of the District Police Complaints Authority regarding inquiries into serious misconduct by police personnel. However, the existing provisions are silent in cases where reports have been filed in a competent court under Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. They also do not address matters pending before national and state commissions constituted under various Acts. Additionally, no time limit has been prescribed for disposal of complaints by the authorities. Therefore, amendments have been made to ensure proper and effective functioning of the State and District Police Complaints Authorities by addressing these gaps. — Haryana Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2026 This bill amends the Haryana Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005, which was enacted to eliminate revenue deficit and maintain fiscal deficit within prescribed limits, as per the recommendations of the 12th Finance Commission. Considering risks associated with state government guarantees, a working group was constituted during the 32nd Conference of State Finance Secretaries (July 7, 2022), including representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and states. Based on discussions in the 33rd Conference (July 6, 2023), the RBI proposed that the incremental guarantee limit in a year should be capped at 5% of the previous year’s revenue receipts or 0.5% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), whichever is lower. The Finance Department agreed to these recommendations on September 4, 2023. Further discussions in the 35th Conference (September 18, 2025) emphasized setting realistic limits for guarantees. The amendment aims to incorporate these recommendations and formally fix limits on state government guarantees. — Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas (Amendment) Bill, 2026 This bill amends the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975, and is deemed to have come into force from January 30, 2026. Under Section 7 of the Act, prior No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required before registering any document related to the sale, lease, or transfer of vacant land less than one acre in notified urban areas. This provision aims to prevent the development of illegal colonies. It has been observed that land is often exchanged (instead of sold) to indirectly acquire larger or more valuable plots, bypassing regulatory provisions. Though legally termed as “exchange,” such transactions effectively act as indirect sales, defeating the purpose of regulation. The amendment proposes to include exchange deeds within the regulatory framework to curb illegal colonization and ensure compliance. — Haryana Consolidation of Project Land (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill, 2026 This bill amends the Haryana Consolidation of Project Land (Special Provisions) Act, 2017, which aims to consolidate leftover land parcels affected by development projects. The Act was earlier amended in 2020. However, several civil writ petitions challenged Section 7 related to compensation. In Mool Chand & Others vs State of Haryana and similar cases, the Hon’ble High Court declared Section 7 ultra vires regarding compensation and directed that compensation, interest, rehabilitation, and resettlement benefits be determined as per provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. ******** CM Urges Leaders to Rise Above Politics, Promote Natural Farming Calls for a collective push to make farmers aware; highlights health and environmental benefits Special awareness programme on natural farming held in Haryana Vidhan Sabha Natural farming gaining new direction through efforts of Acharya Devvrat- Chief Minister Chandigarh, March 18 — Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini urged all public representatives to actively promote natural farming, stressing that certain issues must rise above partisan politics. He said it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders not only to adopt natural farming in their own lives but also to encourage and educate farmers about its benefits. The Chief Minister was addressing a special awareness programme on natural farming organized in the State Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday. On this occasion, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat delivered a lecture highlighting the importance and impact of natural farming. Welcoming the Governor, the Chief Minister described Acharya Devvrat as a strong source of inspiration for Indian culture, ethical values, and a natural way of life. He said that Acharya Devvrat has dedicated his life to social service, education, and especially to the promotion of natural farming, actively reaching out to farmers across the country. Highlighting current agricultural practices, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the excessive use of pesticides, urea, and chemical fertilizers, which not only pollute the environment but also adversely affect human health. He said that Haryana, being an agrarian state, stands to benefit significantly from the natural farming model, which offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative. Referring to the natural farming farm developed at Gurukul, Kurukshetra, he said the 180-acre model, established under the guidance of Acharya Devvrat, serves as a unique example for farmers. The farm operates without chemical inputs, relying solely on traditional organic formulations such as Jeevamrit, Ghanamrit, and Beejamrit prepared from cow dung and cow urine, making it a low-cost farming method. The Chief Minister further informed that Haryana launched its Natural Farming Scheme in 2022. A dedicated portal has been developed under the scheme, through which 19,723 farmers have verified their participation, covering 31,873 acres of land. More than 12,000 farmers have already been trained in natural farming practices. Additionally, HAMETI, Jind conducted one-day online training programmes for all sarpanches in the state. He added that the scheme also provides incentives for branding and packaging of natural farming produce. A subsidy of Rs. 30,000 is offered for the purchase of indigenous cows. Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 75 lakh has been provided to 2,500 farmers for drums, while Rs. 1.30 crore has been granted for the purchase of 523 indigenous cows. Initiatives in Budget 2026–27 to Boost Natural Farming The Chief Minister stated that several initiatives have been announced in the Budget 2026–27 to further promote natural farming. The Haryana State Seed Certification Agency will be designated as a certification body for organic farming. Farmers certified by APEDA will receive financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 per acre per year for the next five years. He expressed confidence that the guidance of Acharya Devvrat during the programme will inspire farmers across Haryana to increasingly adopt natural farming practices. *************** Natural Farming Essential for Farmers’ Income, Health, and Environment: Acharya Devvrat Natural Farming Needs to be Adopted Beyond Party Politics: Acharya Devvrat Chandigarh, March 18 — The Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, while delivering a special lecture on natural farming during the budget session of the Assembly, stated that this subject is not limited to agriculture alone, but is also deeply connected to human health, environmental protection, and the future of coming generations. He expressed gratitude to representatives of all political parties and said that this important issue has been raised in the House above party politics, keeping human welfare in mind. He appreciated the efforts of Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini in promoting the Natural Farming Mission, stating that it will have a positive impact on the health of people in the state. He mentioned that currently around 800,000 farmers in Gujarat have adopted natural farming, and that both the government and opposition are cooperating positively in this direction. Sharing his personal experience, the Governor said that while serving as Principal at Gurukul Kurukshetra, he himself shifted from chemical farming to natural farming. Recalling an incident, he said that when an employee fainted after coming into contact with pesticides, it compelled him to rethink how harmful chemically grown food could be for human health. He clarified that there is a fundamental difference between organic farming and natural farming. Organic farming requires large quantities of manure, whereas natural farming is based on microorganisms and involves very low cost. He stated that this method can ensure adequate production and is economically beneficial for farmers. The Governor warned that excessive use of chemical fertilizers is continuously reducing soil fertility, and the organic carbon level in the country’s land has declined significantly, pushing it towards becoming barren. He cautioned that if timely corrective measures are not taken, future generations may face a shortage of both clean food and potable water. Highlighting the adverse effects of pesticide-laden farming, he said it is increasing environmental pollution, contaminating water sources, and contributing to the rise in diseases such as cancer, heart ailments, and kidney failure. Presenting natural farming as a solution, he described it as a low-cost, eco-friendly method based on indigenous cows. It enhances soil fertility by promoting the growth of microorganisms using simple inputs like cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, and gram flour. He added that natural farming can not only improve production but also significantly increase farmers’ income. In Gujarat, many farmers are earning lakhs of rupees from just one acre of land. The Governor urged all legislators and public representatives to spread awareness about natural farming in their respective areas and to organize training programs. He emphasized that adopting this method without proper training is difficult, and it should be implemented under expert guidance. On this occasion, various legislators present in the House raised important questions related to natural farming, which Acharya Devvrat answered in detail. During the discussion, members shared experiences from their constituencies and highlighted how farmers are gradually shifting from conventional to natural farming. Several members expressed curiosity regarding production, cost, training, and market-related aspects, which the Governor addressed using his experience and scientific insights. He expressed confidence that if everyone works together in this direction, natural farming can help the country overcome health challenges, strengthen the economy, and ensure a safe, healthy, and prosperous future for the coming generations. *************** Chandigarh, March 18 – Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry, informed the House that the State Government has taken concrete steps to address the problem of waterlogging in some villages of the Hodal Assembly constituency. The Minister was replying to a question on the last day of the Budget Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today. The Minister clarified that reports of large-scale agricultural land turning barren in the area are not correct. Only about 350 acres of land in Garhi Patti and Khachchi Khera villages have been found affected by waterlogging. She said that a special project has been approved to drain floodwater from the fields in the affected area. Under this project, pipelines will be laid and five sump wells will be installed to effectively resolve the issue of waterlogging. The project was approved on December 31, 2025, with a total cost of Rs. 1.94 crore. The target has been set to complete the work by June 30, 2026, she added. She said that the objective of the Government is to provide relief to farmers and restore the fertility of their agricultural land so that they can carry out farming without any hindrance. ******* Chandigarh, March 18 – Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Smt. Shruti Choudhry said that the government is working on the construction of bridges in various villages located along the river in the Sadhaura Assembly constituency. The Minister was replying to a question on the last day of the Budget Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today. The Minister said that proposals are being prepared for the construction of bridges in villages such as Kalyanpur-Antari, Ratauli, Jaitpur, Rajpur-Goharabani, Mahiuddinpur and Nagli-32, with the objective of facilitating smooth movement of people. She further said that administrative approval for the construction of three bridges in these areas will be submitted in the financial year 2026-27. As per the plan, the construction work of these bridges is likely to start from January 1, 2027 and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2027. The State Government is committed to strengthening infrastructure in the region and ensuring better connectivity in rural areas. ******* Chandigarh, March 18 – Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, said that the construction of a Krishi Bhawan in Rewari will commence soon. The Minister was replying to a question on the last day of the Budget Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today.

Chandigarh

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