Cabinet nod to project to make state pollution-free by 2030
The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of CM Nayab Singh Saini here today, approved the Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development (HCAPSD) from the financial year 2024-25 to 2029-30. The project aims to improve air quality and reduce emissions across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, a region that spans multiple state boundaries.
The proposed budget for the project, which is supported by the World Bank, is Rs 3,647 crore.
The project will support the strengthening of air quality management systems in the state, while synergising efforts being undertaken by the Government of India. It will focus on designing and implementing sector-specific air pollution abatement measures and facilitating coordination among Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) states to reduce cross-border emissions. Additionally, the project aims to enhance 'ease of living' for residents across Haryana's cities.
The potential benefits of the project include supporting the piloting and scaling up of state-of-the-art pollution control technologies, which could serve as a model for the rest of India.
Pension scheme for 'divyangs'
In a significant move towards inclusivity and support for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), the Cabinet approved amendments to the Haryana Disabled Pension Rules, 2016. As per the decision, 10 additional categories of PwDs will now be eligible for pension benefits. Till now, the state government had been providing pension benefits to individuals with 11 categories of disabilities. With the approval of the recent amendments to the rules, 32,000 more PwDs will be eligible to receive monthly pension benefits.
Relief for ex-staffers
The Cabinet has decided to waive recoverable amounts from former employees of CONFED, Haryana Minerals Limited (HML), and the Handloom and Export Corporation. This is in line with the Haryana State Minor Irrigation and Tubewell Corporation (HSMITC) employees, who had availed benefits under the Old Age Samman Allowance Scheme. The total principal amount to the tune of Rs 1.47 crore pending recovery from these ex-employees, relating to the period before October 1, 2019, will now be waived.
Ex-post facto approval
Ex-post facto approval has been accorded for providing government guarantee of Rs 401 crore in favour of Punjab National Bank against renewed cash credit limit of Rs 101 crore and fresh limit of Rs 300 crore to meet the working capital requirements and Letter of Credit facility of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd.
Shrine board
It also approved the draft of the Haryana Baba Shree Khatu Shyam Chuklana Dham Shrine Bill, 2025. The Bill aims to provide better facilities to pilgrims/devotees and better management of assets of the shrine. Lakhs of devotees from all over Haryana and neighbouring states visit the temple every year to pay their obeisance.
Tributes to Netaji
The Cabinet meeting began with floral tributes to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on the occasion of Parakram Diwas. Saini said Netaji was a great freedom fighter who made a significant contribution to India's Independence.
