'Why now?' Saini questions timing of raid on house of SAD ex-leader

Addressing a press conference in Panchkula on Saturday, CM Nayab Singh Saini questioned the timing of the Punjab Vigilance raid on the house of the former SAD general secretary, Ranjit Singh Gill, who had joined the BJP last night.

“After Gill joined the BJP, they immediately sent the Vigilance to his house. Why did they not do so in the past three-four years when he was with the SAD? The AAP is trying to suppress people’s voices and targeting the BJP through Gill," claimed Saini.

“I would like to tell Mann sahib [Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann] to act with a sense of national spirit and speak in the interest of the people. Farmers in Punjab are distressed. A promise was made to women, yet Rs 2,000 per month has not been given to them. Now that less than a year is left for the elections, he is preparing to offer 'toffees' to people,” he said.

Earlier, the CM presided over three state-level events in Panchkula and highlighted the government’s focus on farmer welfare, transparent public employment, and the promotion of youth and sports culture.

Celebrating the release of the 20th instalment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi by the PM from Varanasi — under which Rs 353 crore was transferred to the accounts of 16.77 lakh Haryana farmers — the CM reiterated that farmer welfare remained a pillar of the country's growth story. He said the state had ensured effective implementation of the scheme, supplementing it with measures, such as adoption of new agricultural technologies, income-enhancement initiatives, and water conservation strategies.

Later, Saini distributed appointment letters to newly selected Group D employees, urging them to work with integrity and to focus on inclusive development. He highlighted the government’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption and said recruitment for Group C and D positions had been made merit-based by eliminating interviews. He also pointed to initiatives, such as the Unified Pension Scheme, which would be extended to around two lakh employees from August 1.

He said over 30,000 government jobs had been provided during the current term. Through rozgar melas, 1.06 lakh youths had secured private sector opportunities, he added.

The CM also inaugurated the Rajya Stariya Khel Mahakumbh at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, in which 15,410 athletes from across the state will compete in 26 sports disciplines over the next three days. Kicking off the event with a kabaddi match, Saini said the event was not merely a competition, but a platform to give wings to the dreams of Haryana’s youth. He said the state had already begun preparations for the 2036 Olympics, adding that the state's achievements in sports were a result of sustained policy vision and investment.

From opening 1,489 sports nurseries to giving Rs 593 crore in cash prizes and Rs 53.45 crore in scholarships since 2014, the government had ensured that athletes received both recognition and resources. He also announced that 550 posts had been created under the Haryana Excellence in Sports Service Rules, 2021.