Balwinder Singh, Author at National Times

07 May

Haryana Government Pushes for Vertical Horticulture to Boost Farmer Incomes

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanafarmer income, Haryana agriculture, Shyam Singh Rana, vertical horticulture

Chandigarh, May 7 — Haryana’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana has directed officials to encourage farmers to adopt "vertical horticulture" to maximize income from shrinking land holdings. He emphasized that vertical gardening can help farmers earn more from limited space, thereby improving agricultural viability.Rana was chairing the second General Body meeting of the Haryana State Horticulture Development Agency under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of Agriculture and Horticulture Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, Horticulture Director General Ranbir Singh, department head Dr. Arjun Saini, and various agency members.Highlighting…

06 May

Haryana Government Crackdowns on Illegal Mining; Six Officials Charge-Sheeted

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaHaryana Illegal Mining, Nayab Singh Saini, Nuh District

Chandigarh, May 6 – In a firm move against illegal mining activities, the Haryana government, acting under the directives of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, has charge-sheeted six mining department officials. This action stems from an old case of unauthorized mining in Nuh district, where excessive excavation beyond the allotted limits was reported.According to an official spokesperson, the case relates to illegal excavation in village Rawa, located in Firozpur Jhirka tehsil of Nuh district. The mining operations were carried out between November 2011 and January 2025 under a mining lease. A complaint was filed regarding extraction beyond permissible limits, prompting…

06 May

Haryana CM Slams Punjab CM Over Water Remarks, Accuses Him of Stirring Controversy for Politics

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryana, PunjabBhagwant Mann, Haryana CM, Nayab Singh Saini, Punjab CM

Chandigarh, May 6 – Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday lashed out at his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann for making what he called “provocative and irresponsible” remarks on inter-state water sharing. Addressing a public gathering at his residence, Sant Kabir Kutir, Saini criticized Mann for allegedly using his constitutional position to ignite tensions for political mileage.“Instead of working for Punjab’s welfare, the Chief Minister is making divisive statements to further his political career,” Saini said, asserting that both Haryana and Punjab are like brothers and that such remarks only serve to drive a wedge between their people.He also…

05 May

Haryana CM Slams Punjab’s Resolution on Water Issue, Calls It Unethical and Anti-Federal

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaHaryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, Punjab Vidhan Sabha resolution, Punjab water dispute, SYL Canal

Chandigarh, May 5 — Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini sharply criticized the Punjab government on Monday, accusing it of indulging in “petty politics” over the water distribution issue and passing repeated Vidhan Sabha resolutions that he termed unethical and contrary to India's federal structure.Speaking to the media after chairing a Cabinet meeting, Saini condemned the Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s fresh resolution opposing the sharing of Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal water with Haryana. He said this defies the Supreme Court’s ruling and undermines the spirit of cooperative federalism. "Water is a natural resource and a national heritage. Even today, the Mann…

05 May

Haryana CM Launches Plot Allocation for 1.58 Lakh Applicants Under Rural Housing Scheme 2.0

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaCM Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana Rural Housing Scheme, Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana 2.0

Chandigarh, May 5 – Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini today initiated the plot allocation process for 1.58 lakh applicants under the second phase of the Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana 2.0. This marks a major step towards the state government’s commitment to provide shelter for every poor and needy family.The allocation will benefit residents of 537 gram panchayats and 24 mahagram panchayats. The official launch took place at the Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh.Speaking on the occasion, CM Saini reaffirmed that the government had promised in its election manifesto to ensure housing for the underprivileged in both urban and rural…

05 May

Rooh Festival in Chandigarh Soars High with Kites and the Spirit of Music

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaChandigarh Event, Jaswant Jassi, Kite Flying, Rooh Festival

Chandigarh, May 5 – A colorful sky and soulful music set the tone at Parade Ground as the ‘Rooh Festival’ unfolded a celebration of unity, culture, and community spirit. Hundreds of kites tied to a single thread symbolized harmony and togetherness, drawing eyes skyward and hearts closer.Despite intermittent drizzles throughout the day, the mood was lifted in the evening when popular Punjabi singer Jaswant Jassi took the stage. As the weather cleared, large crowds gathered to soak in his devotional and folk melodies.Jassi began the performance with the soulful Sufi number "Main Neevaan, Mera Murshid Ucha", setting a spiritual mood.…

03 May

CM Saini Leads Anti-Drug March in Chandigarh, Calls Youth Key to Vision 2047

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaanti-drug campaign, Chandigarh March, Nayab Singh Saini

Chandigarh, May 3 – Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini today declared that there is no place for the evil of drugs in the "City Beautiful" Chandigarh. He participated in a foot march held to raise awareness against drug abuse, emphasizing the crucial role of youth in building a developed India by 2047.Saini said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a developed India depends on healthy, drug-free youth. If young people stay away from addiction and channel their energy positively, they can play a transformative role in realizing the nation's development goals.He noted that anti-drug campaigns are being conducted nationwide…

02 May

Haryana CM Unveils SOPs to Ensure Quality Infrastructure Across the State

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaHaryana, Infrastructure Quality, Nayab Singh Saini, SOP Launch

Chandigarh, May 2 – Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini today launched the Standard Operating Methods and Procedures (SOMPs) developed by the state’s Quality Assurance Authority to ensure strong, durable, and sustainable infrastructure in the state. Speaking at the event, he emphasized that these guidelines are not just a document but a visionary foundation for long-lasting infrastructure, efficient services, and good governance.Addressing the Quality Assurance Conclave held in Panchkula, the Chief Minister congratulated the Haryana Quality Assurance Authority on completing two years of its establishment. He lauded the authority for its commendable work in a short span and also launched…

01 May

CM Nayab Singh Saini Reviews Progress of Budget Announcements, Instructs Timely Implementation for Public Benefit

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaHaryana Budget 2025-26, Nayab Singh Saini

Chandigarh, May 1 – Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini today reviewed the progress of various departmental announcements made during the state budget speech. He instructed officials to ensure timely execution so that citizens can benefit from the schemes without delay.As the Finance Minister, Saini had presented the 2025–26 state budget during the Assembly session held in March, introducing several key initiatives.During the review, the Chief Minister laid special emphasis on strengthening healthcare services in district hospitals. He directed that community health centers (CHCs) must have specialist doctors to enhance accessibility. He stressed the need to expand diagnostic facilities such…

28 Apr

Haryana CM Saini Proposes New Criteria for Fund Allocation at 16th Finance Commission Meeting

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsHaryanaHaryana Finance Commission 2025, Haryana NCR fund allocation, Nayab Singh Saini suggestions

Chandigarh, April 28, 2025 – Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini put forth key suggestions during the 16th Finance Commission meeting today, emphasizing the need for a fresh approach to resource distribution to better serve states contributing significantly to the nation's growth.Highlighting the strategic role of the National Capital Region (NCR) in India's journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047, CM Saini proposed introducing a new parameter that accounts for the percentage of a state’s area falling within the NCR when allocating funds. He also suggested another innovative criterion: rewarding states with a high percentage of population serving in…