Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to move from the ‘White Revolution’ to the ‘Sweet Revolution,’ the Haryana Government has formulated the ‘Beekeeping Policy’ to promote beekeeping across the state. Under this policy, the government aims to increase the number of beekeepers to 7,750 and raise honey production to 15,500 metric tonnes by 2030.
The Chief Minister was addressing the beekeepers today as the Chief Guest at an event organized by the Haryana Horticulture Department at the Red Bishop Convention Centre in Sector-1 on the occasion of World Bee Day. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana was also present on the occasion.
Earlier, the Chief Minister went around the stalls showcasing honey and honey-based products set up by beekeepers from various parts of the state and showed keen interest in their exhibits.
Extending his greetings on World Bee Day, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the state government is fully committed to implementing beekeeping initiatives effectively at the grassroots level. Highlighting the immense potential of the sector, he said several schemes have been launched to promote beekeeping. At present, beekeepers are being provided subsidies of up to 85 percent on bee boxes, bee colonies, and essential equipment.
He further said that, to protect farmers engaged in beekeeping from uncertainties and market fluctuations, the Haryana Government has included beekeeping under the ‘Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana’. Under this scheme, a protected price of Rs 120 per kilogram has been fixed for honey. As a result, farmers no longer face the fear of losses and are assured of a guaranteed income.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister released an incentive amount of Rs 1.02 crore into the accounts of 30 farmers under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana. He also stated that a decision has been taken to include beekeeping under the Mukhya Mantri Bagwani Bima Yojna to safeguard beekeepers against losses caused by natural disasters. He further informed that more than 3,000 beekeepers from Haryana are registered on the National ‘Madhukranti’ Portal, with Haryana currently ranking first in the country in terms of beekeeper registrations.
He remarked that World Bee Day is dedicated to celebrating a tiny creature that symbolizes a monumental effort toward preserving life on Earth. He said scientists have repeatedly warned humanity that if bees were to become extinct, life itself would be in danger. To raise global awareness about this critical issue, World Bee Day is observed every year on May 20. The Chief Minister said that honey and bees hold special significance in the Vedas, Puranas, and Indian culture. In the Rigveda, honey has been described as a symbol of prosperity, purity, and good health.
The Chief Minister said that bees are not merely protectors of nature but also form the backbone of the agricultural economy. He said that at a time when the world is confronting challenges such as climate change, environmental pollution, and food security, the importance of bees has become even more significant. He expressed concern that bee populations are steadily declining due to the excessive use of pesticides, pollution, deforestation, and climate change. Appealing to the farming community, the Chief Minister urged farmers to adopt beekeeping alongside the cultivation of crops such as mustard, sunflower, cotton, berseem, fruits, and vegetables. He said this would not only increase honey production but also enhance crop yields through cross-pollination by bees.
He said that the importance of honeybees is not confined to agriculture alone. In recent years, beekeeping has emerged as a strong pillar of employment generation and the rural economy. Requiring minimal investment, land, and resources, this enterprise is providing livelihoods to lakhs of people. The Chief Minister said that, besides honey, honeybees produce several other valuable products, including royal jelly, beeswax, propolis, bee pollen, and bee venom. These products are in high demand, especially in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, and their market value is several times higher than that of honey.
Nayab Singh Saini remarked that the State Government is making continuous efforts to promote beekeeping. To facilitate commercial-scale beekeeping operations, the country’s first Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre, based on Israeli technology, has been established at Ramnagar in Kurukshetra. The centre provides beekeeping training to farmers and also houses a honey trading Center. To date, nearly 800 tons of honey have been traded through the facility. In addition, the centre offers training in honey extraction, storage, processing, and marketing at both national and international levels.
The Chief Minister noted that although a large portion of Haryana’s land is devoted to agriculture resulting in a relative shortage of forests and orchards, the state’s progressive farmers have made significant contributions to the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission. Haryana currently produces around 5,000 metric tons of honey. He emphasized that the government has identified horticulture, including beekeeping, as a key pillar of agricultural diversification. In 2014, the area under horticulture in the state was 1,17,000 acres; today, it has more than doubled to 2,73,000 acres.
Nayab Singh Saini observed that landholdings are becoming increasingly fragmented in the present era. In such a scenario, beekeeping offers farmers an opportunity to earn higher profits, as it requires very little land. He stated that even landless individuals, people with limited education, the illiterate, and women can successfully undertake this enterprise after receiving proper training. In several states, women are actively involved in honey production and marketing through Self-Help Groups. Likewise, in Haryana, young entrepreneurs can enhance their income and help create a distinct identity for the state by launching honey-based startups and brands. To support this initiative, the Haryana Government will provide financial assistance and technical guidance with the objective of developing Haryana into a “Honey Hub.”
On this occasion, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini honored 11 progressive beekeepers by presenting each with an incentive of Rs 11,000 along with a certificate of appreciation. He also released a book titled “Haryana Strides Ahead in Horticulture”, published by the Department of Horticulture.
Earlier, speaking on this occasion Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Shyam Singh Rana, said that Haryana is an agrarian state that makes a significant contribution to the national economy. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the state government is consistently working to enhance farmers’ incomes and has introduced several schemes toward this objective. Haryana is the first state in the country to procure 24 crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
He further stated that the government has ensured the availability of fertilizers for agricultural fields and secured remunerative prices for farmers, thereby preventing any inconvenience to them. With the twin objectives of increasing farmers’ incomes and protecting public health, the state is actively promoting organic and natural farming practices. As part of this initiative, laboratories are also being established in 10 districts of the State.
Present on this occasion were former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Gian Chand Gupta, BJP State Vice President Smt. Banto Kataria, newly elected Mayor Shyam Lal Bansal, Additional Chief Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department Vijayendra Kumar, Director General of Horticulture Department Dr. Ranbir Singh, HOD (Special) of the Department of Horticulture Dr. Arjun Saini, Vice-Chancellor of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar Dr. B.R. Kamboj, OSD to the Chief Minister Virender Singh Badkhalsa and Media Secretary to the Chief Minister Praveen Atre, along with beekeepers and experts from across the state.
“Digital Revolution in Haryana’s Labour Sector Begins with Launch of ‘ShramMitra’ App” – Labour Minister Anil Vij
“No More Labour Chowks — ‘ShramMitra’ to Function as an Electronic Employment Exchange Through Mobile App” – Anil Vij
“Workers to Get Jobs from Home, ‘ShramMitra’ Digital Platform to Connect Labourers and Employers” – Vij
“From Masons to Electricians, ‘ShramMitra’ App to Provide Digital platform to All Workers” – Anil Vij
“Data of 75,000 Workers Uploaded; Geo-Mapping Technology to Simplify Labour Processes” – Labour Minister Anil Vij
“Freedom from Middlemen, Direct Employment and Dignity for Workers — ‘ShramMitra’ App to Bring Major Transformation in Labour Sector” – Vij
Haryana Labour Minister, Anil Vij launched the “ShramMitra” app in a historic initiative aimed at providing modern digital facilities to workers and employers across the state. He said that the app is an advanced platform developed under the digital revolution initiative, which will establish direct, transparent, and quick communication between workers and employers. The app will operate in three languages — Hindi, English, and Punjabi — so that maximum workers and employers can easily avail its benefits.
Vij said that the “ShramMitra” app will work as an “Electronic Employment Exchange” for providing daily employment opportunities, and in the coming time, the traditional labour chowk system will gradually come to an end. He said that workers will no longer have to stand for hours at labour chowks in search of work; instead, they will be able to access employment opportunities from their homes through their mobile phones. Notably, this mobile application named “ShramMitra” has been developed by the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board to provide modern digital facilities to workers and employers.
Labour Minister, Anil Vij informed that the app has been specially designed to provide digital support to labourers who traditionally stand at labour chowks. Through the app, workers will be able to register detailed information about their skills, experience, and expertise, including professions such as mason, carpenter, electrician, plumber, gardener, painter, welder, and various other trades. Additionally, self-employment-related professions such as barber, cobbler, and others can also be registered on this platform.
He further said that employers requiring workers for specific jobs will also be able to upload their work requirements on the app. Through this platform, employers will be able to easily and quickly find skilled and unskilled workers according to their needs. Both workers and employers will also be able to communicate directly through the app. Facilities for discussing wages, work duration, worker experience, and other important terms have also been incorporated into the platform.
Vij said that workers will now be able to see from home which type of work is available in which area, eliminating the need to stand at labour chowks for employment. He added that the “ShramMitra” app will ensure dignity, convenience, and employment security for workers through digital technology while connecting them to a more organised and secure work environment.
Providing further details, he informed that data of nearly 75,000 registered workers of the Labour Department has already been uploaded to the app. Labour Department employees will also visit various labour chowks to help workers install the app on their mobile phones, ensuring that a maximum number of workers become part of this digital platform.
Labour Minister Anil Vij said that the “ShramMitra” app will be available on both Android and Apple platforms and can be used by workers and employers across Haryana. He emphasized that the app is completely free of cost and has been developed keeping in mind the convenience and requirements of both workers and employers.
He said that “ShramMitra” is not merely a mobile application but a new digital revolution in the labour sector. The app will operate with geo-mapping technology, through which workers and employers will be able to access live information regarding each other’s location, distance, and travel time. This will save time and make the work process more effective, transparent, and smooth.
Vij informed that the Labour Department currently possesses detailed data of all labour chowks in the state, and nearly 135 labour chowks are operational across Haryana. He expressed confidence that with the widespread use of the “ShramMitra” app, the traditional labour chowk system will gradually disappear, transforming the labour sector into a fully digital, organized, and systematic ecosystem.
He said that the government and administration will also benefit from this app by monitoring labour demand and supply, assessing the implementation of welfare schemes, and making policy decisions based on real-time data. Vij said that the “ShramMitra” app will ensure long-term benefits for both workers and employers. Employers will benefit from a faster and simpler hiring process, access to verified and skilled workers, reduced dependence on middlemen, and better workforce planning through digital records. On the other hand, workers will be freed from the compulsion of standing daily at labour chowks, receive equal employment opportunities, get relief from exploitation by middlemen, and gain direct access to government schemes and skill development programmes.
He further said that the Haryana Government is continuously working for the welfare, dignity, and economic empowerment of workers, and the “ShramMitra” app will prove to be a major milestone in making the labour sector modern, secure, transparent, and technology-driven. This initiative will not only bring positive changes in the lives of lakhs of workers in the state but will also play a significant role in establishing Haryana among the leading states in the country in the field of digital labour management.
Providing Employment and Skill Opportunities to Youth is the Government’s Top Priority-Gaurav Gautam
Rozgar Melas should be organised every month; Chief Minister’s budget announcements must be implemented within the stipulated timeline- Gaurav Gautam
Action will be taken against officers showing delay or negligence in implementation of schemes, says Minister
Haryana Minister of State for Sports, Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Gaurav Gautam, said that the primary objective of the state government is to provide better employment opportunities to the maximum number of youth in the state.
The Minister also directed officers of the Employment Department to organise regular Rozgar Melas every month so that young people can secure jobs according to their qualifications.
The Minister gave these directions while chairing a review meeting of officers of Kaushal Bhawan, Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam, Employment Department, Haryana Skill Development Mission (HSDM), and Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, Dudhola (Palwal), in Panchkula on Wednesday.
He also directed officers to start courses related to Artificial Intelligence and non-conventional energy sources at Shri Vishwakarma Skill University at the earliest.
During the meeting, the Minister directed the officers to ensure that the announcements made by the Chief Minister in the Budgets for 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27 are completed within the prescribed timeline under all circumstances. He said that quarterly expenditure on development works and public welfare schemes should be ensured on time so that the allocated budget does not lapse. Any delay or negligence in budget utilisation will not be tolerated, and strict disciplinary action will be taken against the responsible officers.
New Skill Centres to be opened and Youth Clubs to be Formed
The Minister said that proper maintenance of all Industrial Training Institute (ITI) buildings in the state should be ensured. To familiarise youth with modern technologies, ITI machinery should be upgraded and new skill centres should be established.
He also directed officers to form a maximum number of ‘Youth Clubs’ across the state to enhance social participation. Through these clubs, youth will be organised and encouraged to play an active role in ensuring that the government’s welfare schemes reach the last person in society.
Development Works to be reviewed again
Gaurav Gautam stressed that the Central Government’s ‘PM Setu Yojana’ should be implemented on the ground with complete dedication and seriousness. He made it clear that all departments must complete their schemes within the stipulated timeframe. He said that he himself would conduct another review meeting after exactly 45 days to assess the progress of works, during which ground reports of all projects would be reviewed.
Principal Secretary, Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Department, Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, Haryana Skill Development Mission, Rajesh Goyal, Director, Skill Corporation and Industrial Training, along with other officers also remained present in the meeting.
Heartfelt farewell accorded to Additional Director Varsha Khangwal, best wishes extended on her appointment as Jhajjar Deputy Commissioner
A farewell ceremony was organised today by the Haryana Information, Public Relations, Languages, and Cultural Department in honour of Additional Director (Administration), Varsha Khangwal, following her appointment as Deputy Commissioner, Jhajjar. Director General, K.M. Pandurang honoured her and wished her a bright future. Officers and employees of the department also extended their best wishes to her for her new assignment and expressed appreciation for her tenure in the department.
Varsha Khangwal joined the Haryana Government as an HCS officer on January 2, 2004, and was the topper of the HCS Batch 2003. During her service in various departments, she earned a special reputation for her working style, administrative efficiency and dedication.
In the Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, she served as Joint Director (Administration) from August 23, 2010, to December 31, 2014. Thereafter, she served as Additional Director (Administration) from March 24, 2020, to December 27, 2022, and again from July 24, 2024, to May 18, 2026.
SIR Campaign Begins in Haryana with July 1, 2026 as Qualifying Date; Final Electoral Roll to be Published on September 22
Political parties urged to appoint BLAs at the earliest for Special Intensive Revision
BLOs and BLAs are a vital link in preparation of accurate electoral rolls: A. Sreenivas
Haryana Chief Electoral Officer A. Sreenivas has appealed to all nationally and state-recognised political parties in the state to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLA-1 and BLA-2) for their respective parties within the coming week and inform the office of the Chief Electoral Officer accordingly, as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is set to commence from June 15. During this exercise, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will undertake door-to-door verification and collection of voter information. He said that BLOs and BLAs form an extremely important link in the preparation of pure and accurate electoral rolls.
- Sreenivas was addressing representatives of political parties during a meeting held here today in his office regarding the Special Intensive Revision-2026. Those present included Virender Garg from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Randhir Singh Rana from the Indian National Congress, Pawan Kaushal from the Bahujan Samaj Party, R.S. Saathi from Communist Party of India (Marxist), Advocate Venus Malik from the Aam Aadmi Party and Randhir Singh Jhajharia from the Jannayak Janta Party.
He also reviewed the preparations being made for the Special Intensive Revision exercise through video conferencing with Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers. He urged Deputy Commissioners to coordinate with Resident Welfare Associations in cities such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Panchkula and Sonipat, where a large number of multi-storey residential societies exist and BLOs are often denied entry. He directed that RWAs should be instructed to allow BLOs and BLAs access to collect information related to the Special Intensive Revision work.
The Chief Electoral Officer informed that as on May 12, 2026, the total number of electors in Haryana stood at 2,06,63,155. For the Special Intensive Revision exercise, 20,629 Booth Level Officers have been appointed across the state, who will conduct door-to-door verification from June 15 to July 14, 2026. He said that so far, only 12,917 Booth Level Agents have been appointed by various political parties, making additional BLA appointments necessary.
He further informed representatives of political parties that mapping work related to electoral rolls in the state has been completed up to 64 percent. He also stated that Assembly constituency-wise help desks as well as help desks at all district headquarters would be established to assist voters during the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
- Sreenivas said that the last Special Intensive Revision exercise in the state was conducted in 2002 and such an exercise is undertaken every 20 years.
He stated that the Election Commission of India is carrying out a phased Special Intensive Revision campaign of electoral rolls in 16 states and 3 Union Territories. Under the third phase of the campaign, July 1, 2026 has been fixed as the qualifying date for Haryana. Preparatory work, training and printing activities under the campaign will be undertaken from June 5 to June 14, 2026. Three rounds of training for BLOs, EROs, AEROs and other staff have already been completed, and another round of training has also been scheduled.
The Chief Electoral Officer further informed that the rationalisation and reorganisation of polling stations will be completed by July 14, 2026, while the draft electoral rolls will be published on July 21, 2026. Claims and objections may thereafter be filed from July 21 to August 20, 2026. Disposal of claims and objections will be carried out from July 21 to September 18, 2026. Following completion of the Special Intensive Revision exercise, the final electoral roll will be published on September 22, 2026.
Appealing to the people of the state, A. Sreenivas urged citizens to cooperate with election officials and BLOs in this important democratic exercise so that an error-free and transparent electoral roll can be prepared.
Additional Chief Electoral Officers Ms. Ritu, Apoorv, Rajkumar Lohan, Joint Election Officers and other officials were also present in the meeting.
Haryana Constitutes Coordination Grievance Redressal Committee for HKRNL Contractual Employees
The Haryana Government has constituted a Coordination Grievance Redressal Committee for the timely and effective resolution of issues related to the Job Security Law and matters concerning contractual manpower engaged through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited (HKRNL). The committee has been formed with immediate effect to ensure speedy grievance redressal and minimize avoidable litigation. An order in this regard has been issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
According to the order, the committee will function under the chairmanship of the General Manager, HKRNL. The committee will also include the concerned Superintendent from the Human Resources Department dealing with HKRNL and Job Security matters, the concerned Superintendent from the Finance Department, IT Head of the CRID Department, and the Managing Director or nominee of Haryana Knowledge Corporation Limited. HKRNL will serve as the nodal agency for convening meetings and coordinating with all concerned departments
The committee has been tasked with examining issues related to the Job Security Law, contractual manpower engagement, eligibility disputes and service verification. It will facilitate inter-departmental coordination among the Human Resources Department, HKRNL, Finance Department, CRID and other concerned administrative departments.
The committee will also undertake pre-litigation examination of disputes and attempt administrative resolution before matters reach courts. It will provide time-bound recommendations and identify cases likely to result in litigation so that suitable administrative remedies can be initiated in advance.
As per the directions, the committee will meet at least twice a week initially, with the flexibility to increase the frequency depending on workload. Meetings may be conducted in physical or virtual mode as required. The government has stipulated that grievances should ordinarily be resolved within 15 days from the date of cognizance. However, the timeline may be extended by up to 10 additional days wherever necessary.
The order further states that since HKRNL already operates an online grievance redressal system, all grievances must first be filed mandatorily on the HKRNL grievance portal. Only unresolved matters will thereafter be escalated to the Coordination Grievance Redressal Committee for further examination and resolution.
The government has also directed that all contractual employees engaged through HKRNL, Boards, Corporations and Government Departments must avail the grievance redressal mechanism available on the HKRNL portal before seeking judicial intervention. Administrative remedies are to be exhausted prior to approaching courts.
