Page 31 - Haryana

AAP-Cong combine will win all 10 LS seats in Haryana: State AAP chief Gupta

The Aam Aadmi Party's Haryana chief Sushil Gupta on Sunday exuded confidence that the AAP-Congress combine will win all the 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state. People want change both at the Centre and in Haryana, he claimed. The AAP and the Congress are constituents of the INDIA bloc formed by opposition parties to take on the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The two parties announced their seat-sharing arrangement for Delhi, Gujarat, Goa and Haryana a week ago. As part of the arrangement, the AAP has fielded Gupta from Kurukshetra while the Congress will contest the remaining nine seats in Haryana. "We will win all the 10 seats," Gupta said when asked how he sees the AAP's tie-up with the Congress. "Every worker of the two parties is working hard. Besides, we are getting full support from (Bhupinder Singh) Hooda ji, Randeep Singh Surjewala ji, Kiran Choudhary ji, Kumari Selja ji and the local leaders in Kurukshetra constituency." The BJP had won all the 10 seats in Haryana

Had govt brought law on MSP, farmers wouldn't be protesting again: Hooda

Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has said that farmers would not have been on a warpath with the government again had it brought a fourth law, alongside the three contentious agro-marketing legislations that were eventually repealed in 2021, to make buying farm produce below their MSPs an offence. The three 2020 laws that the government had said were essential for farm sector reforms were repealed in November 2021 after a prolonged farmers' protest spearheaded by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. The agitating farmers were also demanding a law to grantee a minimum price for crops, but the government did not agree to this. Now, thousands of farmers from Punjab are again on the streets -- this time led by SKM's splinter group Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) (SKM-NP) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) -- demanding a legal guarantee for MSP for crops and farm-debt waiver. The have been camping out at the two border points -- Shambhu and Khanauri -- on Punjab-Haryana border for past .

LoP Bhupinder Hooda seeks compensation for crops damaged due to hailstorms

Former Haryana chief minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Saturday demanded compensation for the farmers, who suffered damage to crops due to hailstorms. He said that hailstorms damaged crops in many areas, including Rohtak, Jhajjar, Rewari, Bhiwani, Ambala, Kurukshetra Sirsa, Sonipat, Yamunanagar, Karnal Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind and Charkhi Dadri. In a statement, Hooda demanded that the state government should get 'girdawari' (survey to assess loss) done at the earliest and compensate the farmers. He said that unseasonal rains and hailstorms have caused huge damage to the standing crops of wheat and mustard, adding the extent of damage was aggravated due to strong winds. Hooda said this has led to a situation where the farmers fear that production would decrease. He alleged that for the last several seasons, the BJP-JJP government in the state is not giving any compensation to the farmers for their losses. "Even after so many months, the flood affected farmer

Amazon offers night shift work opportunities to women at Haryana centre

Amazon India on Thursday announced the launch of Women in Night Shifts (WINS) at one of its large sort centres in Haryana. In addition to Amazon's existing initiatives, WINS is designed to provide a safe and supportive work environment for women, ensuring equal opportunities for both men and women to work in various shifts, and championing inclusivity for all, the company said. In some states in India, regulations prohibit the employment of women in night shifts in warehousing operations facilities primarily stemming from concerns about women's safety and wellbeing. Therefore, safety, security, and wellbeing take centre stage to enable the WINS initiative, the company said. Amazon India has engaged with state governments to advocate for equal work opportunities for all. The company has successfully enabled night shift operations for women at select sites in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, and now, in Haryana. "We believe i

INLD leader Nafe Singh Rathee killed,12 detained: Here's what we know so far

In a shocking incident, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) state president Nafe Singh Rathee was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jhajjar district. Watch the video to know more

Mobile internet services suspended in some parts of Haryana's Ambala

The Haryana government on Tuesday announced that mobile internet services and bulk SMS will remain suspended at certain places in Ambala district from February 28 to February 29 in view of the ongoing farmers' "Delhi Chalo" agitation. The fresh decision came two days after the mobile internet and bulk SMS were restored in seven districts, including Ambala. According to Tuesday's decision, the services will remain suspended in the jurisdiction of Sadar Ambala, Panjokhera and Naggal police stations in Ambala. It shall remain in force from February 28 (00.01 hrs) to February 29 (23:59 hrs), according to the order. The decision was taken following a request received from the Ambala deputy commissioner on February 26 in view of the farmers' protest. "Whereas there is a clear potential of disruption of public utilities, damage to public assets and amenities and disturbance of public law and order in district Ambala on account of misuse of internet services by way of spread of inflammato

Farmers take out tractors rallies in Punjab, Haryana to protest against WTO

Farmers took out tractor rallies at several places in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh and burnt effigies, demanding the agriculture sector be taken out of the WTO agreement. In Uttar Pradesh, the rallies led to disruption in traffic at many places and farmers also burnt effigies representing the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which is holding its 13th ministerial conference, a meeting of its highest decision-making body, in the UAE. On the call of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of several farm unions that spearheaded the 2020-21 farmers' stir, protesters parked their tractors along the highways at many places in Punjab and Haryana. Effigies representing the WTO were also burnt at Khanauri and Shambhu points on Punjab's border with Haryana where thousands of farmers have been camping after their march to Delhi, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), was halted by security forces. Farmer leaders claimed the WTO's ...

CBI probe to be ordered into killing of INLD's state chief: Haryana min Vij

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Monday assured the Assembly of a CBI probe into the killing of the Indian National Lok Dal's state chief Nafe Singh Rathee. Rathee and a party worker were killed by unidentified assailants in Bahadurgarh near Delhi on Sunday. The attack, which came weeks before the Lok Sabha elections, drew sharp reactions from opposition parties, which alleged a breakdown in law and order in the BJP-ruled state. "If the House is only satisfied with a CBI probe, then I assure the members that we will hand over the case to the CBI," Vij said in the Assembly. Earlier in the day, the Speaker admitted an adjournment motion on law and order as the opposition Congress raised the issue of Rathee's murder and demanded a probe into the incident either by a high court judge or a high court judge-monitored CBI investigation. Soon after the Question Hour, Congress members raised the issue and demanded a discussion on law and order.

Nafe Singh Rathee, INLD Haryana president assassinated: Who was he?

Nafe Singh Rathee was shot dead by unidentified assailants when he was travelling in his SUV in Bahadurgarh near Delhi. An INDL party worker was also killed in the firing

INLD Haryana president Nafe Singh Rathee shot dead in Jhajjar's Bahadurgarh

Unidentified assailants shot dead the Indian National Lok Dal's Haryana unit president Nafe Singh Rathee in Jhajjar district on Sunday, according to a senior party leader. Rathee, a former MLA, was travelling in an SUV when the assailants, who were in a car, attacked him in Jhajjar's Bahadurgarh town. INLD leader Abhay Chautala told PTI that Rathee was shot dead in Jhajjar district. He accused the government of failing to provide Rathee with security despite their being threat to his life, and demanded the resignation of the chief minister and the home minister. Police said the investigation in the matter was underway.

Farmers' protest: Mobile internet services restored in 7 Haryana districts

Mobile internet services were restored in seven Haryana districts on Sunday, almost two weeks after they were suspended in the wake of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' agitation, officials said. The services were suspended in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa on February 11 and the suspension was extended on February 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24. Officials said no fresh order has been issued to extend the suspension of the mobile services in the seven districts. According to an earlier order issued by the Home Department, the curbs were imposed "to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in jurisdictions of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa, including Dabwali, districts in Haryana". Residents welcomed the government's decision. "Restoration of mobile internet services after a gap of several days is a big relief," said Kamal, a resident of Ambala. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha a

Haryana's identity is dhakkad kisan, jawan and pehalwan: CM Khattar

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Saturday said the identity of Haryana is associated with "dhakkad kisan, jawan and pehalwan" (powerful farmers, soldiers and wrestlers). Special attention is being given to infrastructure to promote sports in the state, and athletes are being secured of their future not only through financial assistance, but also through reservation in jobs under category A, B, and C, he said. The chief minister was speaking as the chief guest at the "Sansad Khel-Kood Spardha" organised here. Encouraging athletes to play with the spirit of sportsmanship, Khattar said that in order to promote sports in the state, 1,100 sports nurseries are already operational, and a decision has been taken to open 400 more sports nurseries in this budget. In Haryana, winners of international competitions are given the highest cash reward in the entire country, he said. Olympic gold medalists are given a prize of Rs 6 crore, which is the highest among all states, he added. He said

Failed budget of a failed government in Haryana: Bhupinder Singh Hooda

Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday dubbed the Haryana budget, presented in the Assembly by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, as a "failed budget of a failed government". There is nothing much in the budget and it has disappointed every section of the society, Hooda, the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, said. Khattar on Friday announced waiver of interest and penalty on certain crop loans and did not hike taxes as he presented a Rs 1.89 lakh crore budget for the 2024-25 financial year. Criticising the government over the budget, Hooda said, "Everyone in the state will have debt on their head, responsibility will be only with the people, all employment will become private." "The public was hopeful that since it was an election budget, at least in the announcement, people would get some relief this time from inflation, unemployment, exorbitant taxes and economic recession. But the government dashed the public's expectations," he said. He said the BJP-JJP coalition

Govt has taken various measures to enhance social security net: Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said the state government has taken various measures to enhance the social security net for people. While presenting the budget for 2024-25 in the Assembly, Khattar, who also holds the finance portfolio, said the 'Old Age Samman Allowance' and related pensions are now Rs 3,000 per month, higher than Rs 1,000 in December 2014. The provision for social security pensions has been increased from Rs 1,753 crore in 2013-14 constituting 3.2 per cent of the total budget expenditure to Rs 10,971 crore in FY 2024-25, constituting 5.78 per cent of the total budget expenditure, he said. The total number of beneficiaries is now over 31.51 lakh increasing from 22.64 lakh in December 2014, said Khattar. "We have taken the government to the doorstep of the beneficiary with the implementation of the 'Old Age Samman Allowance', 'Divyang Pension', and widower pension for those above the age of 40 years and have been widowed and unmarried pension fo

Don't think any other state has done as much for farmers: Haryana CM

Khattar said that farmers in his state face no problems but they are protesting because they want to stand in solidarity with their fellow farmers in Punjab

Haryana Police backtracks on invoking NSA against Ambala farm leaders

The Police have urged farmers to cooperate with the authorities in maintaining law and order

Aam Aadmi Party, Congress set to clinch seat-sharing in three states

It would also mean that the Congress is set to contest the least number of seats since 1952

Amid ongoing protest, govt should hold talks with protesting farmers: Hooda

Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday said the Centre should immediately hold talks with the protesting farmers to resolve their issues, terming the prevailing situation arising out of the stir as "worrisome". The former chief minister also appealed to the farmers to maintain peace. "The situation which prevails is worrisome. The government should immediately hold talks with farmers and resolve the issue," Hooda, who is Leader of the Opposition in Haryana, told reporters here on the sidelines of the ongoing Budget session of the state assembly. Farmers leaders on Wednesday put the 'Delhi Chalo' march on hold for two days after a protester was killed and about 12 police personnel injured in clashes at Khanauri, one of the two protest sites on the Punjab-Haryana border. Thousands of farmers will remain camped at the two border points during the pause in the agitation over their demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops and farm debt ..

More job recruitment under BJP than previous govts in Haryana: CM Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said there have been more recruitment to government jobs in the past nine years under the BJP as compared to previous government's tenure, and added that selections have been transparent and based on merit. Results for approximately 29,000 posts will be declared within the next eight days, Khattar said in the state assembly during the motion of thanks to the Haryana Governor's address. During his address, Khattar took on Congress leader Raghuvir Singh Kadian who had alleged wrongdoings in government recruitment. Asking Kadian to provide proof of his allegations, the chief minister told the Congress leader that if he failed to do so then he would move a privilege motion against him. Khattar said that the government has established Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN) to protect the people employed on temporary jobs through contractors. "This initiative aims to allocate outsourced jobs to the youth while ensuring additional bene

Farmer dies as police fire tear gas to disperse protesters in Haryana

A farmer was killed and a few others injured on the Punjab-Haryana border as protesters resumed their 'Delhi Chalo' agitation, with Haryana Police firing tear gas shells to thwart attempts to breach barricades at Shambhu and Khanauri. Farmer leaders had rejected a proposal made by the government in the fourth round of talks between the two sides to break the deadlock and announced that thousands of Punjab farmers camping at these two border points would resume their agitation on Wednesday morning. Earlier in the day, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda, who is among the three Union ministers engaging with the farmer leaders, called for further talks and appealed to the protesters to maintain peace. Farmer leader Baldev Singh Sirsa identified the victim as Subhkaran Singh (21), who died at Khanauri on the Sangrur-Jind border. Singh was a resident of Baloke village in Punjab's Bathinda district, he said. Patiala-based Rajindra Hospital's medical superintendent H S Rekhi told reporters t