Chandigarh, January 14: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said that Punjab and Haryana are not merely neighboring states but are bound by ties of blood and brotherhood. Addressing a gathering at the Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, the Chief Minister said the people of Haryana share deep affection for Punjab and have always stood by the state in times of need.
Referring to a recent natural calamity in Punjab, CM Saini said that when the people of Punjab were facing hardships, residents of Haryana extended every possible support, like an elder brother. “This reflects our shared culture and values,” he said.
Paying homage to the sacred land of Sri Muktsar Sahib, the Chief Minister said it was a matter of great honor for him to visit this holy and historic place. “The sacred soil of Sri Muktsar Sahib is recorded in the golden pages of history. It was here that the Forty Liberated Ones (Chali Mukte) laid down their lives at the feet of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji,” he said. The land, he added, teaches that liberation is not achieved only after death, but also by walking on the path of truth and standing firmly against injustice. He also extended greetings to the people on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
The Chief Minister criticized the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government, alleging that its leaders were missing during times of disaster and failed to feel the pain of the people. He said that while Haryana stood shoulder to shoulder with Punjab during difficult times, the Punjab Chief Minister was nowhere to be seen. CM Saini further alleged that the current Punjab government has failed to fulfill the promises made to the people and has confined its commitments only to paperwork.
Highlighting the achievements of the Haryana government, CM Saini said that during the Haryana Assembly elections, the government had released a resolution document containing 217 promises, of which 54 have been fulfilled within one year, while work is progressing rapidly on the remaining commitments.
He said Haryana has fulfilled its promise of procuring 24 crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), making it the first state in the country to do so. Farmers receive payments within 48 hours, and in case of delay, interest is also paid.
Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party, the Chief Minister said that when the party was in power in Delhi, farmers of Haryana and Punjab were blamed for stubble burning. Despite being in power in Punjab for four years, he said, the AAP government has failed to take concrete steps to prevent stubble burning. In contrast, Haryana is providing subsidies on agricultural machinery and an incentive of ₹1,200 per acre for stubble management.
CM Saini said the Haryana government is also providing financial assistance of ₹80,000 for house repairs and ₹2,100 per month to women beneficiaries under the Lado Laxmi Yojana.
Referring to issues related to MNREGA in Punjab, the Chief Minister alleged that workers had complained about not receiving their rightful dues and that cases of embezzlement in several gram panchayats had surfaced without any action being taken. He said that when the central government introduced reforms to safeguard workers’ rights, the Punjab government convened a special Assembly session and brought a proposal that lacked facts, data, or constructive suggestions, while also opposing the scheme.
The Chief Minister said the Haryana government is fully committed to farmers’ welfare, whether through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana or compensation for crop losses. He stated that ₹5 crore had been disbursed as compensation for losses to houses and livestock due to recent rains, while ₹116 crore had already been credited to farmers’ accounts for crop damage. Over the past 11 years, farmers in Haryana have received approximately ₹15,500 crore in assistance.
He further said that the Haryana government is providing LPG cylinders at ₹500 to needy families and has implemented the Chirayu Scheme under Ayushman Bharat, significantly benefiting the public. “Haryana has proven that a double-engine government multiplies the pace of development,” he added.
Several dignitaries addressed the gathering, including Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, and Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar. BJP General Secretary Tarun Chugh, Punjab BJP Working President Ashwani Sharma, Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura, former MPs Avinash Rai Khanna and Maharani Preneet Kaur, former minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Rana Gurjeet Singh Sodhi, Dayal Singh Sodhi, Rahul Sidhu, Anil Sareen, and other prominent leaders were also present on the occasion.
