Punjab leaders' objection to the allotment of land in Chandigarh for Haryana's new Assembly building on Tuesday resonated in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha on the last day of the winter session. Senior Congress leader and Thanesar MLA Ashok Arora, raising the issue, described the statements by Punjab leaders on the matter as “unfortunate”. Extending his support to the state government on the issue, he said: “As opposition, we stand with the government. The Chief Minister should lead, and all parties will come together to present a united front.”
Arora also criticized Punjab for not releasing the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal water to Haryana and described the remarks of Punjab’s leaders to the state’s demand for more assembly space in Chandigarh as “highly irresponsible and provocative”. He assured the Government of the opposition’s cooperation.
Intervening, the Speaker Harvinder Kalyan cautioned against addressing the matter casually in the House. “This is a very serious issue. It cannot be discussed in such a casual manner,” said the Speaker, while proposing to hold an all-party meeting to ensure a unanimous stand on the issue and urged the Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to make a statement.
In response, Saini said that the construction of State Vidhan Sabha complex in Chandigarh is a serious issue and all political parties should rise above politics and present their views unanimously. Saini said that Punjab leaders have previously politicized issues like the SYL canal, depriving Haryana farmers of their legitimate share of water.
“The Supreme Court has also ruled that Haryana farmers are entitled to this water. Such actions, where even the directives of the Supreme Court are bypassed, should not happen in this country. It is unfortunate that now the Punjab leaders are raising questions about the construction of the State Vidhan Sabha complex in Chandigarh,” he added.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the entire state of Haryana stands united on this issue. He assured that whatever all the members of the Vidhan Sabha say unanimously, the government will take that matter forward.
“Haryana has a rightful claim over Chandigarh, and leaders from all parties in the state are united on this issue. Following the new delimitation, Punjab will also require a larger assembly building, and they can acquire land to construct their own facility,” he said, while criticizing Punjab leaders for their disrespectful attitude towards the construction of Haryana’s new assembly. “We all should sit in this holy temple and make decisions that benefit humanity,” he added.
Saini, the previous week, had urged Punjab’s leaders to “avoid petty politics” over Haryana’s move to construct a separate Vidhan Sabha complex in Chandigarh.
Moreover, Haryana has offered 12 acres in Panchkula, adjoining Chandigarh, to the UT Administration in lieu of 10 acres in Chandigarh for the construction of the additional assembly building. At present, there are 90 MLAs in the Haryana assembly where there is already a shortage of space. Haryana says that the present building doesn’t have space for ministers and Vidhan Sabha committees. It says the 20 rooms that Punjab still occupies should be handed over to Haryana under the 60:40 division of assets. Haryana has clarified that the construction of the additional Vidhan Sabha doesn’t mean that the state will leave its claim of rightful share in the existing Vidhan Sabha building, which also houses the Punjab assembly.
Farmers receive 200% of market rate as compensation for land coming under tower area
CM Saini said that a compensation policy is already in place for high-tension power lines passing through farmers’ fields, under which, farmers are entitled to get compensation at 200 percent of the market rate for the land coming under the tower area. Besides, farmers will get 30 percent of the market rate as compensation for land coming under power lines passing through their fields.
“For a long time, farmers had been demanding a solution as the land under high-tension power lines passing through their fields could neither be cultivated nor did they receive any fair compensation for it. To address this issue, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, upon assuming the charge of Union Minister of Power, prioritized implementing this policy of the Central Government in favour of farmers,” he added.
As per the policy, the land area for compensation is calculated within a radius of one meter around the tower base area. A user committee, chaired by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), has been constituted to submit its report to the Deputy Commissioner. If farmers face any issues, they can appeal to the Divisional Commissioner, said Saini.
He also clarified that the market rate, not the collector rate, is used as the basis for determining compensation.
Mega cleanliness drive in all cities within next 10-15 days: Minister
Urban Local Bodies Minister Vipul Goel said that pasting of posters and flexes on public properties and buildings by private individuals, institutions, establishments and others for advertising of their own business is an illegal activity under the Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1989, and the Haryana Municipal Acts. Goel, replying during the calling attention motion on the issue of defacement of public properties in the State by the affixation of stickers, bills and posters, informed the House that the Department will run a mega cleanliness drive in all cities within the next 10-15 days, during which any illegally placed posters, stickers, and other advertising materials will be removed.
7500 got possession of plots under MGAY
Development and Panchayat Minister Krishan Lal Panwar informed the House about key housing initiatives for rural families in the state. He highlighted the Mahatma Gandhi Gramin Basti Yojana, launched in 2008, which aimed to provide 100 square yard plots to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and BPL families. However, due to various issues, some beneficiaries had not received their plots. In response, the State Government introduced the Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana in 2024-25, under which possession certificates for about 7,000 beneficiaries were distributed at a state-level event on June 10, 2024. The government is actively working to provide possession to other eligible beneficiaries.
To further address housing needs, the Government launched Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana-Vistar, aimed at offering 50 or 100 square yard plots to landless rural families. The first phase identified 1,000 Gram Panchayats that have submitted proposals for allotment from Panchayat land to eligible families. Panwar assured that colonies under the scheme would be prioritized for basic infrastructure development. If necessary, additional funds will be allocated to complete infrastructure in these areas, reaffirming the state's commitment to improving rural housing conditions.
Six Bills passed
Six Bills were passed following discussions during the session, including the Haryana Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2024; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Haryana Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Haryana Lease of Agricultural Land Bill, 2024; the Haryana Extension Lecturers and Guest Lecturers (Security of Service) Bill, 2024; and the Haryana Technical Education Guest Faculty (Security of Service) Bill, 2024.
Sankalp Patra is commitment letter, will fulfill every promise in it: CM Saini
Reaffirming his government's commitment to fulfilling the promises outlined in the Sankalp Patra, CM Saini emphasized that the state's progress aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. Saini, speaking to the media after the conclusion of the assembly session, highlighted that the Government has successfully delivered on promises made in the 2014 and 2019 Sankalp Patras, underscoring the administration's dedication to development.
Criticizing the opposition, Saini pointed out that while opposition parties often forget their manifestos soon after coming to power, his government remains steadfast in its commitment to the people's welfare. He mentioned two key initiatives recently implemented, including granting ownership rights to lessees of land prior to Haryana's formation and enacting a law to secure the services of contractual employees across various categories, such as Extension Lecturers and Guest Faculty in engineering colleges and polytechnics. These actions, he said, reflect the government's consistent focus on fulfilling its promises and ensuring equitable development for all.
