Chandigarh-Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Punjab and Haryana are not merely neighbouring states, but are deeply connected through blood relations, brotherhood, and shared cultural values. He said the people of Haryana have immense affection for Punjab and always stand with it in times of need. Referring to the recent natural calamity in Punjab, the Chief Minister said that when the people of Punjab were in distress, Haryana extended every possible support like an elder brother, reflecting the region’s rich traditions and values.Paying obeisance to the holy soil of Sri Muktsar Sahib, the Chief Minister said that visiting this sacred and historic place was a matter of great honour for him. He described Sri Muktsar Sahib as a land immortalised in the golden chapters of history, where the Chali Mukte (40 liberated ones) laid down their lives for their beloved Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He said this sacred land teaches that liberation is not attained only after death, but also by walking on the path of truth and standing firmly against injustice. On the occasion, he extended warm greetings to the people on the festival of Makar Sankranti.
The Chief Minister said that during the recent natural calamity in Punjab, the people of Haryana stood shoulder to shoulder with Punjab and extended support in every possible manner. However, he remarked that during this difficult period, some leaders failed to empathise with the suffering of the public.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that while Haryana came forward to support Punjab during the crisis, the Punjab Chief Minister was nowhere to be seen during the disaster. He said the present Punjab government had made several promises to the public, but when responsibility was required, it appeared to evade accountability.
The Chief Minister said that during the Haryana Assembly elections, the government had released a ‘Sankalp Patra’ highlighting 217 promises. Within one year, 54 Sankalp have already been fulfilled, and work on the remaining 163 is progressing swiftly. In contrast, he said, the promises made by the Punjab government have largely remained confined to paper.
Highlighting Haryana’s farmer-friendly policies, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the government had promised procurement of 24 crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), which has been fully implemented. Haryana has become the first state in India where all crops are procured at MSP. He added that farmers receive payment within 48 hours, and if any delay occurs, interest is also paid, ensuring transparency and trust.
The Chief Minister said that when the Aam Aadmi Party was in power in Delhi, farmers of Haryana and Punjab were repeatedly blamed for stubble burning. Despite the AAP government being in power in Punjab for the past four years, no effective measures were taken to prevent stubble burning. In contrast, he said, the Haryana government is providing subsidies on agricultural machinery and an incentive of Rs. 1, 200 per acre to farmers for stubble management.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that during the visit of Union Minister, Sh. Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Punjab, workers complained about not receiving their rightful benefits under MGNREGA. It later came to light that embezzlement had occurred in several Gram Panchayats, but no action was taken by the Punjab government.
The Chief Minister said that when the central government introduced the VB G-RAM-G Act to ensure transparency and secure workers’ rights, the Punjab government convened a special Assembly session and passed a resolution opposing this Act. He said the resolution contained neither facts nor data nor constructive suggestions, and that the Aam Aadmi Party government continues to oppose even pro-worker initiatives.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Haryana government is fully committed to farmers’ welfare, whether through the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana or compensation for crop damage. Recently, Rs.5 crore was provided as compensation for losses to houses and livestock caused by heavy rainfall, and Rs. 116 crore has already been credited to farmers’ accounts for crop damage. He said that over the past 11 years, farmers in Haryana have received nearly Rs. 15, 500 crore in financial assistance.The Chief Minister said that needy families in Haryana are being provided LPG cylinders at Rs. 500. Under the Lado Lakshmi Scheme, women and daughters are receiving Rs.2, 100 per month. In the healthcare sector, he said the Chirayu Scheme under Ayushman Bharat has significantly expanded access to quality healthcare.
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana has clearly demonstrated that a double-engine government accelerates development many times over, ensuring effective implementation of welfare schemes.
Union Minister of State Railway & Food Processing Industries, Sh. Ravneet Singh Bittu, former Union Minister, Sh. Anurag Thakur, Punjab BJP President, Sh. Sunil Jakhar, BJP General Secretary, Sh. Tarun Chugh, Executive President, Sh. Ashwani Sharma, Chairman, Sh. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, former MP, Sh. Avinash Rai Khanna, former MP, Maharani Preneet Kaur, former minister, Sardar Manpreet Singh Badal, Rana Gurjeet Singh Sodhi, Sardar Dayal Singh Sodhi, Rahul Sidhu, Anil Sareen, and other dignitaries were present during the programme.