Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday announced financial assistance of Rs 21 lakh for Bharat Vikas Parishad while inaugurating the organisation’s regional office and an Arogya Kendra in Chhatwal, Pathankot.
Calling the organisation an example of humanitarian service and national spirit, Saini said its work reflected the values of service, cultural traditions and dedication. He added that helping underprivileged sections of society was a responsibility rather than an act of charity.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several office-bearers of Bharat Vikas Parishad, including North Region patron S.S. Gill, regional president Sushil Sharma and national organising secretary Suresh Jain.
Saini Highlights Parishad’s Role In Healthcare And Social Service
Speaking at the event, the Haryana Chief Minister said Bharat Vikas Parishad was established in 1963, inspired by the ideas of Swami Vivekananda. He said the organisation had worked towards building a healthy, capable and culturally rooted India by bringing together educated and resourceful citizens for social welfare.
Saini said the newly inaugurated Arogya Kendra would help provide healthcare facilities to people, while the regional office would serve as a centre for coordination and service activities across North India.
He also highlighted the Parishad’s initiatives, including the National Group Song Competition and ‘Bharat Ko Jaano’, aimed at familiarising children and young people with Indian culture, knowledge and patriotism.
Referring to the message of ‘Sarbat Da Bhala’, Saini said the tradition of serving humanity was deeply rooted in Indian culture. He added that supporting poor, differently abled, uneducated and deprived people was a social duty that strengthened unity.
Saini Lists Haryana Government’s Recruitment And Welfare Initiatives
During his address, Saini also spoke about the Haryana government’s development and welfare programmes. He claimed that nearly two lakh young people had secured government jobs in the state over the past 12 years through a recruitment process based on merit.
Describing the system as ‘bina parchi, bina kharchi’, he said candidates were selected on the basis of eligibility and merit, without political recommendations or pressure. He also said arrangements had been made to help candidates travel to and from examination centres so that financial constraints did not prevent them from appearing for recruitment tests.
Citing a recruitment result in which 29 candidates from Punhana were selected, Saini said the process had been kept transparent and candidates’ identities were kept confidential during selection.
On agriculture, the Chief Minister said Haryana was procuring all crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He also announced the sugarcane prices fixed by the state for the next two crushing seasons: Rs 430 per quintal for 2026-27 and Rs 450 per quintal for 2027-28. According to him, the revised rates would increase farmers’ income by around Rs 10,000 to Rs 11,000 per acre.
Saini further referred to free dialysis facilities in Haryana and healthcare support through the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu schemes.
Mission Buniyad, Lado Lakshmi Scheme Also Mentioned
Speaking about education, Saini said the Mission Buniyad programme had been launched in 104 government schools to provide better learning opportunities to students from economically weaker families. The government aims to expand the initiative to 125 schools, he added.
He also highlighted the Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana, saying that more than Rs 2,700 crore had been distributed to women through 13 instalments under the scheme.
Saini Questions Punjab’s Recruitment Process
The Haryana Chief Minister also commented on Punjab’s political and economic situation, expressing concern over issues such as drug abuse, crime, corruption and employment opportunities.
He said Punjab, which had once been among the leading states in the country, was facing challenges that required serious attention.
Saini raised questions over alleged irregularities in the recruitment of excise inspectors in Punjab. Referring to claims involving candidates with two roll numbers, appearing at two examination centres at the same time and being selected at both places, he questioned the fairness and transparency of the recruitment process.
He urged people in Punjab to consider the state’s situation and work together towards restoring its prosperity. Saini said collective efforts were needed to make Punjab ‘Rangla Punjab’ once again.
