Speakers, Deputy Speakers and legislators from various State Legislatures, along with the Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, participated in the technical session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone-II (North Zone) Conference organised by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh. The speakers deliberated extensively on the theme ‘Role of an aware society and representatives of the people in facing future challenges and realising the goal of Viksit Bharat–2047’.
Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, Speaker, Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Harvinder Kalyan, Deputy Speaker, Dr. Krishan Lal Middha, Speakers from various State Legislatures and several Members of Legislative Assemblies were present.
Welcoming the delegates, Speaker, Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Harvinder Kalyan expressed hope that all participants would gain new experiences and valuable insights from the technical session and play a meaningful role in the nation’s development.
Speaking on the occasion, Speaker, Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Narendra Singh Tomar said that the deliberations held during the conference organised by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha would yield valuable outcomes that would prove to be milestones in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat-2047. Describing India’s unity in diversity as the nation’s greatest strength, he said that everyone is working collectively to strengthen democracy, which is why India is counted among the world’s leading nations today.
Tomar said that after celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav the nation is now preparing for its centenary year. He emphasised that it is the responsibility of the present generation to leave behind a prosperous and empowered India for future generations. He called upon everyone to remain economically, socially and civically aware to fulfil Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s Vision 2047.
Speaker, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Vasudev Devnani appreciated the Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker for selecting the theme, “Role of an aware society and representatives of the people in facing future challenges and realising the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat–2047’” He said that holistic national development can be achieved only when social harmony, environmental sustainability, technology and parliamentary democracy advance together. He emphassised that the responsibility of citizens does not end with electing legislators; rather, they must also support policymakers in formulating development-oriented policies. Emphasising the spirit of “Nation First”, he urged everyone to move forward collectively. He also encouraged legislators to stay updated with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and cybercrime.
Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather said that India is progressing as a global leader in development and that efforts must be intensified to accelerate this growth so that citizens become more prosperous and empowered. He encouraged young legislators to focus not only on modern technology but also on research and innovation.
Speaker, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Satish Mahana, in his address, urged legislators to work continuously for public welfare. He expressed satisfaction that people are increasingly discussing economic issues, describing it as a positive sign of a progressive nation. He also advised public representatives to maintain their credibility so that people can approach them freely with their concerns.
Speaker, Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Kuldeep Singh Pathania said that India can become a developed nation only when all states progress equally. He added that the true objective of the conference would be achieved only when legislators discharge their responsibilities with honesty and dedication.
Several legislators and delegates from the Legislative Assemblies of North Zone states were also present during the conference.
Former Australian Captain Michael Clarke Meets Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini
World Cup-winning skipper discusses cricket development, sporting ties between India and Australia
Former Australia captain and World Cup winner, Michael Clarke met Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini at Sant Kabir Kutir and discussed cricket development, youth talent and opportunities for greater sporting engagement between India and Australia.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister and Clarke also played cricket.
Speaking after the meeting, Michael Clarke said it was a pleasure to meet the Chief Minister and lauded his passion for the game. It was great meeting the Chief Minister. His love and passion for cricket is commendable. I bowled a ball to him and he hit it for a six, Michael Clarke said with a smile.
Emphasising the importance of sporting ties between the two countries, Michael Clarke said India and Australia share a strong relationship that can be further strengthened through sports and people-to-people exchanges.
He said that the relationship between India and Australia is extremely important. Haryana has produced some outstanding athletes and there is no shortage of sporting talent here. I believe the state has the potential to produce many more quality cricketers in the years to come, said Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke also expressed his desire to spend more time in Haryana and contribute to the development of young cricketers. He said he would be keen to explore the possibility of establishing a cricket academy in the state in the future. I have been bringing young Australian players to India and would also like to create opportunities for young Indian players to visit Australia. Such exchanges can help young cricketers learn from different environments and gain valuable international exposure, he added.
Welcoming Michael Clarke, Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini said Haryana remains committed to strengthening its sporting ecosystem and providing young athletes with opportunities to excel at the highest level. He said interactions with internationally renowned sportspersons inspire aspiring athletes and contribute to the growth of sports in the state.
Several dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Chief Minister Releases more than Rs. 2,697 crores under various schemes at State-Level Sashakt Panchayat Samaroh in Panchkula
CM calls for Greater Powers and Resources for Panchayats, Accelerated Rural Development, Drug-Free Villages, Environmental Conservation and Promotion of Natural Farming
Sarpanches have the most Crucial Role in Comprehensive Village Development and Building a Drug-Free Haryana- Chief Minister
Major Relief for Rural Residents, Applications for Ownership Rights can now be submitted until January 16, 2027
Drug Traffickers will not be spared at any cost, Sarpanches must support the Drug fee Haryana Campaign
Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini announced a major relief measure for rural residents, stating that families who have been residing in houses built on village shamlat land for the past 20 years will now be eligible to apply for ownership rights under the prescribed rules until January 16, 2027. He said that such families would be required to deposit the amount equivalent to one-and-a-half times the land value calculated on the basis of the Collector Rate prevailing in 2004. He said that many eligible beneficiaries were unable to submit their applications due to documentation-related difficulties, and therefore the government has provided them relief by extending this opportunity.
The Chief Minister also announced that to strengthen waste management systems in rural areas, the government would provide tractor-trolleys, drivers, and waste collection workers in every village. In addition, the government is working on Waste-to-Energy projects, he said.
Nayab Singh Saini was addressing the State-Level Sashakt Panchayat Samaroh held at Indradhanush Auditorium in Panchkula on Tuesday. During the event, he inaugurated LED street lighting installed along the phirnis (peripheral roads) of 179 villages across 17 districts at a cost of Rs. 23.21 crore. He also dedicated 350 e- Atal Libraries constructed in 17 districts at a cost of Rs. 44 crores.
The Chief Minister directly transferred Rs. 1,056.75 crore to the accounts of Panchayati Raj Institutions for developmental works. On the occasion, he also honoured six Gram Panchayats under the Jagrit Gram Awards for setting new benchmarks in development, sanitation, and good governance, and awarded them a total prize amount of Rs. 1.66 crore.
Among the awardees, Gram Panchayat Jandli Kalan in Fatehabad district received Rs. 51 lakh, Gram Panchayat Jhinjhar in Charkhi Dadri received Rs. 31 lakh, and Gram Panchayat Saha in Ambala received Rs. 21 lakhs. Under the second category, Gram Panchayat Jallopur in Fatehabad district received Rs. 31 lakh, Gram Panchayat Gadli received Rs.21 lakh, and Gram Panchayat Mardanheri in Karnal district received Rs. 11 lakhs.
The Chief Minister also released the book “Dharmakshetra Kurukshetra,” highlighting the cultural and religious significance of Kurukshetra.
Villages have always been the true strength of India
Addressing the gathering, Nayab Singh Saini said that India’s real strength has always resided in its villages and Panchayats, and that the tradition of ‘Panch Parmeshwar’ has kept democratic values alive in the country for centuries. He said that Haryana is continuously taking historic steps to make villages active partners in development, and as part of this commitment, more than Rs. 2,697 crores has been released under various schemes.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has transformed the perception of villages from being the last point of policy implementation to becoming the first centre of development. Due to the policies of both the Central and State Governments, benefits are now reaching the person standing at the last mile, ushering in a new era of service, good governance and public welfare.
Referring to recent developments in the Middle East, he said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had appealed for fuel conservation and formulated strategies that would help the country overcome the challenges arising from the situation. Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic, he said that it was also an extremely difficult period, but under the Prime Minister’s leadership, India successfully overcame the global crisis.
He said that during the past 12 years, India has achieved new milestones of development under Prime Minister’s leadership and public trust in governance has grown significantly.
Monthly Instalments of Welfare Schemes also Released
During the programme, the Chief Minister digitally released monthly Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) instalments under various welfare schemes.
Under the Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana, Rs. 207.75 crore was released as the eighth instalment for mothers and women beneficiaries.
Similarly, Rs.19.75 crore was disbursed under the Har Ghar-Har Grihini Yojana. A sum of Rs. 1,151.51 crore was directly transferred to beneficiaries of social security pension schemes.
Scholarships amounting to Rs. 23.17 crore were provided to students belonging to OBC and DNT categories.
Under the Dayalu Scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 169.50 crore was released.
Empowered Panchayats are the Foundation of a Strong Democracy and Prosperous Villages
The Chief Minister said that solving village-level issues is not solely the responsibility of the government but a shared responsibility of elected Panchayat representatives as well. He said that many tasks can be accomplished through public participation without requiring additional financial assistance.
He emphasized that the active involvement of Sarpanches is essential to transform villages into centres of development.
He informed that more than 98 percent of villages in Haryana have already achieved ODF Plus status and that all villages would be developed as ODF Plus Model Villages by October 2, 2026. He further stated that more than 2,100 Amrit Sarovars have been constructed across the state.
The Chief Minister said that the government has increased the financial limit for development works undertaken by Gram Panchayats from Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 21 lakhs. Additionally, Panchs and Sarpanches are now entitled to TA/DA equivalent to that provided to HCS officers and Judicial Magistrates when attending Panchayat-related and judicial proceedings, he added.
The Chief Minister further said that to strengthen Panchayat finances, a share of stamp duty revenue and two percent of electricity consumption charges are being directly credited to Panchayat accounts.
Merit-Based Recruitment has Restored Youth Confidence
The Chief Minister said that there was a time when government jobs were believed to require ‘Parchi Kharchi’. However, the present government has completely eliminated that system. He informed that recently more than 3,000 youths were selected through a completely transparent process without any candidate having to pay money. The Physical Measurement Test (PMT) for another recruitment process is currently underway, he said.
The Chief Minister said that in the coming days, 5,600 youths will be recruited into Haryana Police, while examinations for approximately 8,500 candidates have already been completed and results will be announced shortly. He said these developments have instilled confidence among young people that employment can now be secured purely on the basis of merit.
Target the 2036 Olympics; Panchayats Must Support the Fight Against Drugs
The Chief Minister said that the government is pursuing a zero-tolerance campaign against drug abuse and narcotics trafficking. He appealed to Sarpanches to pledge to make their villages drug-free and cooperate with the administration in taking action against drug traffickers. He said that anyone can report information related to narcotics through the government’s ‘Manas Portal,’ and the identity of informants will remain completely confidential. If involvement of any police personnel is found in drug-related activities, strict action will also be taken against them, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
The Chief Minister said that some Sarpanches have already resolved that neither drug consumption nor drug trafficking will be allowed in their villages. Such initiatives, he said, are a source of inspiration for the entire state. He stressed that keeping rural youth away from drugs and motivating them towards sports is the need of the hour. He assured that if Panchayats require sports equipment, the Sports Department will provide necessary support. Keeping the 2036 Olympic Games in view, the government is continuously working to strengthen the sports culture in the state, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
Drug-Free Villages, Cleanliness and Water Conservation Define Developed Villages
The Chief Minister remarked that politics can be pursued at any time, but once elected, village development must remain the top priority for five years. A developed village, he said, is identified by a drug-free environment, cleanliness, adequate drinking water facilities and environmental conservation.
He urged Sarpanches to encourage farmers not to burn crop residue and highlighted various incentive schemes being implemented by the government in this regard.
Help Ensure Welfare Benefits Reach Poor Families
The Chief Minister urged Sarpanches to identify economically weaker families in their villages so that they can benefit from welfare schemes of the Central and State Governments.
Referring to the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, he encouraged Panchayat representatives to motivate eligible households to install solar panels so that their electricity bills can be reduced to nearly zero. He also requested that information regarding poor families requiring housing support be conveyed to the government through Gram Panchayats so that they may benefit from housing schemes.
Promote Natural Farming and Crop Diversification
The Chief Minister appealed to Sarpanches to encourage farmers to adopt natural farming practices. He said that natural farming is extremely important from the perspectives of water conservation, pollution control and public health.
The Chief Minister said that the government is providing incentives to farmers practicing natural farming and rearing indigenous cattle. Special initiatives are also being implemented to promote crop diversification, he said.
He informed that agreements have been signed to promote turmeric cultivation in the Morni region, and farmers cultivating turmeric and ginger will receive assistance of up to Rs. 45,000 per acre.
The Chief Minister said that excessive use of pesticides is now affecting food products and even milk, making the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices essential.
The Road to a Developed India Passes Through Its Villages
The Chief Minister said that the vision of a Developed Haryana and Developed India will be realized through the village chaupals. The more aware and empowered the villages become, the stronger the state and the nation will be, he said.
Nayab Singh Saini said governments can formulate schemes, allocate budgets and frame policies, but history is created only when people themselves move forward with determination. He expressed confidence that Haryana’s Panchayats, youth and citizens will collectively write a new chapter in the state’s development journey.
Sarpanches Share Experiences; Praise Transparency and Women’s Empowerment
During the conference, Sarpanches from various Gram Panchayats interacted with the Chief Minister and shared their experiences regarding rural development and Panchayat empowerment.
Representatives from Mahendragarh, Pinjore, Panchkula, Pundri and other areas expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for establishing a transparent and accountable system for comprehensive village development. They said that the e-libraries established in villages have become a boon for youth, enabling many talented students to secure government jobs purely on merit and without ‘Parchi Kharchi’.
The Sarpanches also observed that making details of development works available on digital platforms has increased transparency and effectively curbed corruption.
A Woman Sarpanch, Smt. Kavita Chaudhary especially thanked the Chief Minister, stating that providing 50 percent reservation to women in Panchayats was a historic step that brought women into mainstream leadership.
She added that under the Chief Minister’s leadership, the State Government is continuously working for the dignity, safety and empowerment of women, giving them greater confidence and recognition in society.
Haryana’s Panchayats and Rural Development Receiving New Momentum- Panwar
Addressing the gathering, Development and Panchayats Minister, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar said that under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana is taking historic steps to strengthen rural development and the Panchayati Raj system while making villages self-reliant and modern. By providing greater powers and resources to Panchayats, the Chief Minister has accelerated comprehensive village development, he said.
The Cabinet Minister further said that Haryana is actively translating Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 into reality. As part of this effort, the government has planned to establish indoor gyms, modern libraries and women’s cultural centres in all 6,225 Gram Panchayats across the state, he said.
The Minister said that the government is giving special emphasis to establishing modern libraries at the village level to nurture young talent.
Noting that 37 youths from Haryana recently cleared the UPSC examination, he said the government has resolved to provide better study facilities in villages so that rural youth can excel in higher competitive examinations. Similarly, the government continues to work extensively toward women’s empowerment, said Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar.
He said that nearly 633 villages now have Women’s Cultural Centres, where women are being engaged in social, cultural and skill-development activities.
The Minister said the government’s vision is to provide urban-level amenities in villages. Accordingly, sewerage systems, roads, street lighting and other basic infrastructure are being expanded rapidly. Efforts are also underway to develop high-quality residential colonies in rural areas so that village residents can enjoy an improved standard of living, said Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar.
Avoid the Use of Polythene- Rao Narbir Singh
Addressing the Sarpanches, Industries, Commerce, Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh urged them to eliminate the use of polythene and single-use plastic. He said Panchayats should actively support the government’s efforts because environmental security is directly linked to public well-being. He emphasized the need to transform environmental conservation into a mass movement.
Education Minister, Mahipal Dhanda, Cooperation Minister, Dr. Arvind Sharma, Social Justice, Empowerment, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes Welfare and Antyodaya (SEWA), Krishan Kumar Bedi, Women & Child Development, Irrigation & Water Resources Minister, Shruti Choudhry, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), Rekha Sharma, Mayor, Shyam Lal Bansal, former Speaker of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Gian Chand Gupta, State Vice President Smt. Banto Kataria, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Arun Kumar Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, SEWA Department, Dr. G. Anupama, Additional Chief Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department, Vijayendra Kumar, Director, Development and Panchayats Department, Anish Yadav, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Yashpal Yadav, and Additional Director, Panchayats and Development Department, Ashutosh Rajan also remained present during the event.
Haryana Strengthens Food Safety Ecosystem with New Laboratories, Enhanced Enforcement and Citizen-Centric Reforms
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi chairs first SLAC meeting of Food & Drugs Administration Department
Haryana is expanding its network of modern food testing laboratories, strengthening enforcement through recruitment of additional Food Safety Officers, establishing dedicated district-level infrastructure, enhancing inter-departmental coordination and investing in new testing facilities. The comprehensive reforms, reviewed by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi at a high-level meeting on Tuesday, are aimed at making Haryana a national model in food safety governance and ensuring safer, healthier food for every citizen.
Presiding over the first meeting of the State Level Advisory Committee (SLAC) of the Food & Drugs Administration Department, the Chief Secretary reviewed a broad roadmap focused on strengthening food safety systems through scientific infrastructure, modern enforcement mechanisms and citizen-first governance. The initiatives are expected to significantly improve food quality surveillance, regulatory compliance and consumer protection across the state.
Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Sumita Misra said a key highlight of the state’s strategy is the expansion of food testing infrastructure. Haryana has already initiated the process for establishing Comprehensive Integrated Food Testing Laboratories (CIFTLs) at Hisar, Jind, Narnaul, Sirsa and Yamunanagar in collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). In addition, the State Government has approved Eight Food Testing Laboratories at Hisar, Narnaul, Sirsa, Jind, Yamunanagar, Rohtak, Faridabad and Gurugram in Haryana State. Out of these Eight Laboratories Two Food Testing Laboratories will be established at Hisar and Narnaul in the Financial Year- 2026-27 and Government has made provision of ₹24 crore for said purpose. These modern laboratories for a healthier tomorrow will strengthen Haryana’s capacity to detect adulteration, ensure quality standards and safeguard public health. The state is also working to strengthen existing laboratory infrastructure. Additional facilities have been proposed for the District Food Laboratory at Karnal.
Recognising the importance of strong field enforcement, the government has notified service rules for Food Safety Officers and initiated recruitment to fill vacant positions. A proposal for creation of 12 additional posts of Food Safety Officers are also being created. Further, 08 officers selected on deputation are expected to join the department, which will substantially enhance field-level monitoring and enforcement activities.
To support its expanding mandate, the department is pursuing dedicated office infrastructure for district units, many of which currently operate from limited space within civil hospitals. Enhanced mobility through additional vehicles and logistical support has also been proposed to improve inspections, raids and transportation of food samples.
The state’s enforcement efforts have already produced encouraging results. During 2025-26, the department collected 2,211 food samples, identified 805 non-conforming cases and secured 111 convictions, resulting in penalties amounting to ₹2.35 crore. The increase in convictions and penalties reflects Haryana’s growing emphasis on compliance, accountability and consumer protection.
The committee also stressed the importance of stronger coordination among departments including Health, Agriculture, Food and Civil Supplies, Food Processing Industries, School Education, Women and Child Development, Police and Excise & Taxation.
Officials informed the meeting that District Level Advisory Committees are now functional across all districts, creating a robust framework for grassroots monitoring, stakeholder participation and local-level action on food safety issues.
Commissioner & Secretary, Women & Child Development, Shekhar Vidyarthi, Commissioner, Food & Drugs Administration, Dr. Manoj Kumar, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
Haryana Rolls Out Technology-Driven Land Record Reforms; Auto-Mutation to Benefit Property Owners*
In a major citizen-centric reform aimed at simplifying property-related services, the Haryana Government has substantially revamped its land records administration, reducing pending mutation cases by more than 90 per cent within six months and is now introducing an auto-mutation system statewide.
Giving more information about the reforms, Dr. Sumita Misra, Financial Commissioner Revenue and Disaster Management Department, said the initiative represents a significant transformation in the delivery of revenue services and is designed to make land record management faster, more transparent and technology-driven.
She said one of the key achievements of the reform exercise has been the successful migration of all legacy mutation records onto a unified digital platform. The integration of historical data has enabled authorities to monitor mutation cases across districts in real time and improve accountability throughout the revenue administration system.
As a result of the intensive clean-up and digitisation exercise, pending mutation cases have fallen sharply from nearly five lakh to about 50,000 across the state. To clear the remaining backlog, a special ten-day campaign has been launched under which tehsildars and naib tehsildars have been directed to dispose of all pending cases on priority.
Dr. Misra said the newly developed monitoring mechanism allows senior officers at both district and state levels to track pendency and performance continuously, ensuring quicker intervention wherever delays occur.
Under the new system, every property registered anywhere in the state will automatically generate a corresponding mutation entry in the revenue records, removing the requirement for citizens to submit a separate application after registration.
The reform is expected to save time and effort for lakhs of property owners by eliminating an additional procedural step that often resulted in delays and repeated visits to revenue offices. Simultaneous updating of registration and mutation records will also improve accuracy and reduce the possibility of disputes arising from outdated ownership records.
According to Dr. Misra, the initiative forms part of the state government’s broader agenda of modernising land governance through digital technologies and enhancing the ease of accessing public services. By reducing manual intervention and strengthening transparency, the reforms are expected to improve public trust in revenue administration while ensuring more efficient protection of property ownership rights.
She said the government’s long-term vision is to build a fully digital, transparent and citizen-focused revenue administration system that delivers services in a timely, seamless and hassle-free manner.
