Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the path to realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047 lies firmly in embracing the Vocal for Local initiative. He said that this goal can be achieved only through the extensive use of domestically manufactured goods and the promotion of local industries.
The Chief Minister launched the Atmanirbhar Bharat Rail Passenger Connect Campaign at Chandigarh Railway Station. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu were also present on the occasion.
The campaign is a significant effort to take Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a developed India by 2047 and the Vocal for Local message to the public. As part of the initiative, the Chief Minister personally visited the station platform and interacted with passengers, distributing informational leaflets on Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Later, while speaking to media persons, the Chief Minister said that in 2014, India ranked as the world’s 12th-13th largest economy. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, he said, India has risen to become the world’s fourth largest economic power in just 11 years. He expressed confidence that by using local products, boosting domestic production, and adopting a model of self-reliance, India will soon emerge as the world’s third-largest economy.
*Congress believed only in corruption*
Referring to railway development, the Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, rail and road infrastructure has been strengthened across the country. Railway stations are being equipped with modern, airport-like facilities. He added that the Chandigarh and Panchkula railway stations are being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, calling it an example of unprecedented development. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that during its tenure, the Congress “believed only in corruption,” whereas Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently prioritized development.
*Expresses deep sorrow over unfortunate incident, action will be taken against negligent officials*
Responding to a question about the death of athlete Hardik Rathi, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed deep sorrow and called the incident extremely unfortunate. He said the Sports Department and the administration have been directed to take strict action against officials found negligent. He added that Haryana’s athletes are the pride of the state and the government stands firmly with them. The government has also sought a report on the condition of sports equipment installed in stadiums across Haryana.
*Punjab CM should not politicize sensitive issues*
Responding to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s remarks about Haryana, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that sensitive issues should not be politicized. He stated that Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party came to power promising to eliminate drug abuse from Punjab within a month, yet the current situation is evident to all. Drug addiction continues to devastate Punjab’s youth, and crime is steadily rising. Instead of taking decisive action, the Punjab Chief Minister is engaging in political blame games, he said.
* Prime Minister consistently promoted respect for Sikh traditions*
In response to another question, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several historic steps to honor Sikh traditions, the teachings of the Gurus, and their sacred sites. He cited key initiatives such as the safe return of three holy copies of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan and the construction of the Kartarpur Corridor as examples of the Prime Minister’s commitment. He added that the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress are attempting to create societal divisions through misleading propaganda, which he described as unfortunate.
Former Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Chief Minister’s Media Secretary Praveen Attrey, and officials associated with the campaign were present on the occasion.
*Haryana Issues New Instructions Regarding Pay Stepping-Up for Senior Employees and Re-Delegation of Financial Powers*
The Haryana Government has issued important instructions to streamline the process of stepping-up the pay/ACP level of senior employees to that of their juniors. Alongside this, the Government has also clarified the position regarding Note 5 under Rule 19.1 of PFR Volume-1 related to the re-delegation of financial powers.
Two separate letters regarding this matter have been issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, who also holds the additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department.
The Finance Department has clarified that as per the instructions issued on December 20, 2024, the pay/ACP level of a senior employee can be stepped-up to match that of a junior employee only if the senior is eligible for ACP under the HCS (ACP) Rules, 2016. However, if the junior employee is drawing higher pay due to personal reasons, stepping-up will not be admissible.
It has been observed that instead of examining such cases on their own, departments are forwarding them to the Finance Department. Therefore, all departments have been directed to scrutinize such matters at their own level and send only those cases—with full details—which do not fall within the scope of the above instructions.
Additionally, the Finance Department has issued a detailed clarification regarding Note 5 under Rule 19.1 of PFR Volume-1. According to the communication issued by the Department, it has come to notice that some Heads of Departments are re-delegating their financial powers to field officers, which is contrary to the rules. Administrative departments may delegate these powers only to gazetted officers working within their department, such as Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, or SAS-cadre officers. Similarly, Heads of Departments may re-delegate these powers only to gazetted officers within their own office, such as Additional Directors, Joint Directors, Deputy Directors, etc.
Administrative Secretaries cannot, under any circumstances, re-delegate their financial powers to Heads of Departments, and Heads of Departments cannot re-delegate their financial powers to field officers or office heads.
