Preamble Reading Programme to be held across Haryana on Jan 17

Chandigarh: The Haryana Government will organize a Constitution Preamble Reading Programme across the state on January 17 at 11.00 am on the theme 'Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Swabhiman'. The programme will be organized in all mini secretariats and other offices of all the districts as well as all government and private schools, colleges, universities and local bodies (gram panchayats, municipal councils and municipal corporations). A letter to this effect was written by the Chief Secretary's Office to all the Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Managing Directors and Chief Administrators of Boards and Corporations, Vice Chancellors of all the universities of the state, Municipal Commissioners, Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil) and Chief Executive Officers of District Councils. The letter states that the Central Government has started a year-long historic celebration from November 26, 2024 to commemorate the completion of 75 years of adoption of the Constitution of the country. The purpose of these celebrations is to honour the Constitution makers by reiterating the basic values enshrined in the Constitution. The Constitution Preamble Reading Programme is also being organized in this series. It has also been asked to ensure public participation in these programmes.

To promote ease of doing business, Haryana to reduce 1,500 burdensome compliances

Chandigarh: The Haryana Government has set a target of reducing 1,500 burdensome compliances and decriminalise 50 provisions (Business & Citizens) under Acts/Rules/Checklists by December 2025 in order to promote ease of doing business in the state. This was disclosed at a review meeting for implementation and submission of the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) and Reducing Compliance Burden (RCB) held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi. The Chief Secretary directed departments to involve their stakeholders for seeking inputs for the reform action plan. Joshi said stakeholder feedback was crucial in the successful implementation of Business Reform Action Points. He also directed that the departments must adhere to the stipulated timelines set by the government for completion of tasks. The Chief Secretary directed the Industries and Commerce Department to also involve all Deputy Commissioners for suggestions on business reforms.

Officers asked to prepare report on Government's 100-Day Agenda: Minister

Chandigarh: Haryana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana on Wednesday directed officials to revive the defunct 'Pack House cum Cold Stores' built by the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board with the cooperation of the Horticulture Department. This initiative aims to assist farmers in preserving their fruits and vegetables more efficiently. Additionally, he discussed the establishment of a kinnow fruit and vegetable market at the procurement center in Abubshahar under the Market Committee, Dabwali, which will significantly benefit farmers in the surrounding areas. Chairing a meeting, Rana instructed officials to prepare a report on the state government's 100-day agenda. Speaking to the media afterward, the Agriculture Minister said that he has been holding meetings with various departmental officials to gather feedback on the 100-day roadmap prepared in October after the government was formed. He said that meetings with officials from agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries departments are ongoing.

Jatinder Malhotra elected unopposed as Chandigarh BJP president

Chandigarh: Jatinder Malhotra was elected unopposed to continue as Chandigarh BJP president for the next three years by the party’s 70 state council members on Wednesday. BJP office-bearers said an official announcement would be made on Thursday. The BJP first appointed Malhotra, 58, as its Chandigarh unit president, replacing Arun Sood, in October 2023.  Malhotra ran for a seat in the municipal corporation elections in Chandigarh in 2011 but was defeated by Congress candidate Mukesh Bassi. Malhotra is close to former BJP chief Sanjay Tandon, who previously held the position for nearly six years, and was initially the district president of the party for a zone that included sectors 15 to 30.

Pb Vigilance Bureau arrests Patwari taking Rs 20,000 bribe

Chandigarh: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Wednesday apprehended Harsimratjit Singh, posted as Patwari in revenue Circle Chogawan, Amritsar district while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 20000. An official spokesperson of the state VB said the accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by Sarmel Singh, a resident of village Kohala, in tehsil Lopoke, Amritsar. The complainant approached the VB and alleged in his complaint that the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 for correction in the revenue records which were intentionally distorted in Jambandi of 2019-2020 with an intention to demand a bribe from him. After a preliminary enquiry into this complaint the VB team laid a trap during which the accused was caught red handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 in the presence of two official witnesses.