To fulfill the commitment outlined in BJP's Sankalp Patra to establish 600 subsidized food canteens in the State, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday said that the State Government has decided to launch 200 new Atal Shramik Kisan Canteens by August this year as part of the first phase. These canteens will be inaugurated on the occasion of Independence Day on August 15, he added.

After presiding over a meeting with the officers concerned in Chandigarh, Saini said that in the Atal Shramik Kisan Canteens, farmers and labourers will be provided fresh and hygienic food at the subsidized rate of only Rs 10 per Thali.

He said that currently, 175 subsidized food canteens are operational at various locations throughout the state. This includes 115 from the Labour Department, 53 from the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB), and 7 from Sugar Mills. These canteens are managed by members of Women Self Help Groups (SHGs), thereby promoting women's empowerment. With the establishment of 200 new Atal Shramik Kisan Canteens, the total will increase to 375. He directed that work to identify locations for these Canteens be started at the earliest. A target has been set to open a total of 600 such canteens in the state in a phased manner, he added.

Saini directed the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) to establish subsidized food canteens in all its Industrial Estates across the state, ensuring that laborers have access to nutritious food at affordable rates. The Chief Minister also proposed that the infrastructure for these canteens could be developed through the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of companies. He said that several large companies have expressed interest in contributing to this initiative. He also directed the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) and the Labour Department to identify additional locations in mandis and construction sites for the establishment of these canteens while expanding their scope. Furthermore, he suggested opening Atal Shramik Kisan Canteens to support laborers and workers at mining sites.

The Chief Minister instructed the establishment of a dedicated portal for the subsidized food canteens operating in the state, ensuring that information about these canteens is accessible with the click of a button. He said that payment at these canteens should be facilitated through QR code, promoting digitization.

Saini directed that a uniform menu of food items be adopted in all subsidized food canteens operating across the state. He instructed the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission (HSRLM) to prepare a standardized menu that also includes food items made from millets. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of offering breakfast at these canteens and suggested serving South Indian dishes such as idli and dosa to laborers and farmers.

DCs & SDMs asked to personally attend Samadhan Shivirs daily & address public grievances on spot

In another event, the Chief Minister interacted with the people at the Samadhan Shivirs organised at the district and sub-divisional levels via video conferencing. During the interaction, he gathered firsthand information regarding the satisfaction levels of the people. The Chief Minister also instructed the Deputy Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to personally attend the Shivirs daily and address the grievances of the people on the spot, ensuring swift and effective resolution of issues.

Saini also sought details from the DCs and SDMs regarding the number of complaints received, complaints resolved, and those still pending. He was informed that, from October to March 2025, out of 18,925 complaints received at Samadhan Shivirs across all districts, 10,955 complaints have been resolved, 6,639 are pending, and 1,331 have been rejected. Similarly, at the Samadhan Shivirs organized in Urban Local Bodies across the state during the same period , out of 8,635 complaints received, 5,761 have been resolved, 1,813 are pending, and 1,061 have been rejected.

He said that to ensure the resolution of public grievances related to various departments at a single place, the State Government has launched Samadhan Shivirs at the district and sub-divisional headquarters level. These Shivirs are held every working day from 10 AM to 12 Noon. Officers from various departments are present at these Shivirs to promptly address and resolve grievances specific to their respective departments. He also directed that extensive publicity should be made by the Information, Public Relations, and Languages Department regarding the Samadhan Shivirs, so that as many people as possible can benefit from this initiative by the State Government.

The Chief Minister also emphasized that, in addition to the district level, Samadhan Shivirs should be held regularly at sub-divisional headquarters. He stated that, apart from the SDM, officers from the concerned departments should also be present to ensure that public grievances related to their departments are addressed promptly. He further mentioned that officers would be held accountable if a complainant is required to frequently visit Samadhan Shivirs for the same issue.