On the last day of the Budget Session of the Vidhan Sabha, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday announced that a Special Task Force under the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) would be formed to investigate irregularities in cooperative societies established in all districts. The Task Force will investigate irregularities in Cooperative Societies starting from 1992 to till date. Strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty in the investigation, he assured the house, he added.

Khattar said that so far, Rs. 328 crore has been allocated to these societies, out of which Rs 259 crore has been utilized, and the remaining amount is lying in banks. The present state government had conducted audits of these societies, and upon discovering discrepancies, the government has taken suo motto and the matter was handed over to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for investigation. ACB has filed 9 FIRs in this case, and irregularities amounting to Rs. 8.80 crore have been found in the investigation of societies in 4 districts. Action has been taken against the involved officials.

Divulging further details, the Chief Minister informed that properties of various officers and employees have also been attached for the recovery of funds.

He said that house and flat  located in Mohali, 29 kanals 5 marlas of land, and bank account of Anu Kaushish one of the accused has been attached, furthermore, the properties and bank accounts of other accused namely Ram Kumar, Yogendra Agrawal, Sumit Agrawal  and Nitin Sharma has also been attached. The list includes, a residential plot belonging to Ramkumar in Kurukshetra, a flat belonging to Yogendra Agrawal  in Mohali and a flat located in Zirakpur belonging to Nitin Sharma. The bank account of  Sumit Agrawal’s wife has also been attached. He said that officers who have been suspended in such cases recently will also be dismissed if found guilty in the investigation.

Moreover, Khattar announced that Transmission Companies who have installed the poles on the roads will now have to pay the expenses occurring during the removal of these poles during the reconstruction, strengthening and widening of roads.

Making another announcement, he said that the government had made a provision in the excise policy that from March 1, distilleries will supply liquor in glass bottles instead of plastic bottles.  But now the government has made this mandatory provision optional till the policy period, so that the distilleries do not face any difficulty.

The Chief Minister said that the Central Government has appreciated the property ID initiative being implemented by the Urban Local Bodies Department and to take this system forward, the Central Government has given a grant of Rs 150 crore. Khattar expressed gratitude to the Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Deputy Speaker, officers and employees for the smooth conduct of the session.

Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Bill among 9 Bills passed

The Haryana Assembly passed nine bills. These include the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Bill, 2024, The Hisar Metropolitan Development Authority Bill, 2024, The Haryana Registration and Regulation of Private Coaching Institutes Bill, 2024, The Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Amendment Bill, 2024, the Haryana Appropriation (No. 1) Bill, 2024, the Haryana Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2024, The Haryana Honourable Disposal of Dead Body Bill, 2024, The Haryana State Sports Associations (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2024, The Haryana Consolidation of Project Land (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill, 2024, said an official spokesperson.

He said that to establish a framework to ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity of travel agents, and to investigate and regulate their illegal and fraudulent activities to protect the interests of the residents of the State, the Government has passed Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Bill, 2024.  Moreover, to safeguard student interests, reduce stress, and provide better academic support, the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Private Coaching Institutes Bill, 2024 has been passed. Any institute in Haryana providing coaching for competitive examinations must now furnish complete details of fees, student numbers, academic credentials of teachers, institute facilities and engage at least one full-time counselor to address student mental health and stress issues. These institutes are required to register with district-level committees to operate, with a three-month grace period for existing institutes to comply, the spokesperson added.

Oppn walks out of House against signing of a MoU between Hry and Rajasthan Govts over sharing of excess rainwater of Yamuna river during monsoon

Heated arguments broke out between the opposition and treasury benches over the issue of signing of a MoU between Haryana and Rajasthan over sharing of excess rainwater of the Yamuna river during the budget session.

During zero hour, the former speaker and senior Congress MLA Ragubir Singh Kadian registered a strong protest over this. “This is the same Rajasthan which had blocked the flow of water meant for Haryana by constructing a dam. And, here the state Government under pressure is signing a MoU to supply Yamuna water to Rajasthan. We have no objection in case water is taken to parched southern districts of Haryana. The government should review its decision,” he added. Other Congress leaders including Kiran Choudhry supported Kadian.

Later Congress leaders raised slogans and stormed into the Well of the House. Later, Congress leaders staged a walkout from the House to express displeasure over this issue. Talking to media persons, Kiran Choudhry said that famers of the State will protest across the State if the Government does not withdraw this agreement.
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Govt kept running away from Oppn's questions and its responsibilities in Budget session, alleges Hooda

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Wednesday accused BJP-JJP government of running away from the Opposition's questions and its responsibilities, during the budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. “The government was neither able to give any suitable answer on MSP of farmers, compensation for damages, old pension of employees, employment of youth, safety of citizens, relief from inflation, nor was it able to present a budget which could raise any hope,” he stated and added that the government did not extend the duration of the budget session despite repeated demands. He further alleged that the government has proved to be a complete failure in curbing crime, miscreants and gangsters. Incidents like murder, robbery, dacoity, ransom, kidnapping and rape have become common in Haryana. Instead of seriously discussing this, the government was busy shifting blame inside the House,” he said.

Nursing Colleges will be established in every Medical College in future, says Anil Vij

Haryana Health, Medical Education and Research Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said that Nursing Colleges will be built in all the medical colleges by the state government in future. Instruction regarding the same has been given, he added. Responding to a question raised during the budget session, Vij said that there is a great demand for nurses in the country and abroad, highlighting a crucial gap in producing high-quality nursing professionals. In this regard, approval has been granted to establish 6 nursing colleges in government hospitals.

11 expressways and 35 national highways passing through Haryana: Dy CM

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said that Haryana has the best road connectivity in the country, with 11 expressways and 35 national highways passing through the state. Responding to a question during the budget session, Chautala said that although the population of Haryana is only 2 percent, the state government is striving to improve the road network in the state. At present, there are about a dozen expressways and three dozen national highways in the state, but efforts are underway to increase their number further.