normalnormalnormalHaryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini held a meeting with Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi today to discuss key issues concerning farmers’ interests and crop procurement. During the meeting, the Chief Minister requested the Central Government to allow early commencement of the upcoming crop procurement in Haryana, prior to the scheduled date of October 1, so that farmers can sell their produce without inconvenience. The Central Government has accepted this request.In addition, the Central Government approved an increase in Haryana’s warehouse storage capacity to 30 lakh metric tonnes under the Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme. The state also received an assurance for the early release of Rs 6,200 crore pending dues for wheat and rice procured for the central pool.The Chief Minister informed that Haryana currently holds 100 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and rice in the central pool. With the arrival of the next crop beginning in December, the state will receive an additional 14.5 lakh metric tonnes of storage space from the Central Government. The surplus rice and wheat stocks will be sent to other states.To promote crop diversification and support sugarcane cultivation, Nayab Singh Saini proposed reducing the minimum distance between sugar mills from 25 km to 15 km. This proposal was approved by the Central Government.The Chief Minister also strongly supported the pilot scheme aimed at reducing the percentage of broken rice in Public Distribution System (PDS) supplies from 25% to 10%. He expressed gratitude to the Central Government for increasing Haryana’s target from 3.5 lakh tonnes to 8 lakh tonnes. He said that Haryana will meet the target of procurement of 8 lakh metric tonnes of 10 per cent broken rice this year. The remaining 15 per cent broken rice will be sold by the Central Government within 15 days.Haryana Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Rajesh Nagar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Arun Gupta, Resident Commissioner D. Suresh and other officers were also present in the meeting.After the meeting, while responding to a question of mediapersons, the Chief Minister said that Haryana has completed all preparations regarding the three new criminal laws introduced by the Central Government. A large exhibition on the subject will be organized in Kurukshetra, which will be inaugurated by Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Sh Amit Shah.Responding to another query, the Chief Minister informed that a special Sewa Pakhwada will be celebrated from September 17 to October 2, on the birthday of Prime Minister, Sh Narendra Modi. During this fortnight, various departments will organize special programmes and action plans focusing on large-scale service activities such as women empowerment, cleanliness drives, blood donation camps, and health initiatives. He said that special attention will be given to the health and welfare of women and citizens.*Meeting on Recovery of Outstanding Electricity Dues to be Convened Soon: Anil Vij**Reports on recovery from defaulters to be taken from Superintending Engineers: Vij*Haryana’s Energy Minister Anil Vij said a meeting of Energy Department officers will soon be convened to expedite the recovery of outstanding dues from electricity defaulters. Reports will be sought directly from the concerned Superintending Engineers regarding progress in recovery.Responding to media queries in Chandigarh about the department’s outstanding recovery of Rs.7,700 crore, Vij said, “When this matter was first brought to my attention, I immediately held a meeting with senior officials of the department. Recovery targets were set for each district, and officers were instructed accordingly. Moving forward, the ranking of officers will also be determined based on their recovery performance. A follow-up meeting will be held soon to review the status and obtain detailed reports.”Speaking on the upcoming ‘Sewa Pakwada’, Sh. Vij shared that multiple welfare programmes will be organized across Ambala. Each of the four divisions in the Ambala will organize a blood donation camp, with a target of 75 donors per camp. Additionally, comprehensive health check-up camps will be conducted in all mandals, and patients diagnosed with ailments will be provided treatment.As part of the NaMo Van initiative, 75 saplings of a single tree species will be planted together at each of the four divisions. Furthermore, saplings will also be planted along roadsides and on dividers to enhance greenery and environmental sustainability.*Haryana Government designates Deputy Commissioners as Link Officers for Commissioners of Municipal Corporations*The Haryana Government has issued instructions regarding the appointment of Link Officers for Commissioners of Municipal Corporations in case of vacancy or during their absence due to transfer, retirement, leave, training, tour, or election duty.According to an order issued by Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi to all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Managing Directors/Chief Administrators/Commissioners of Boards and Corporations, Divisional Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners across Haryana, the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned district will act as the Link Officer for the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of that district. This arrangement will remain effective whenever the Commissioner is unavailable.The order specifies that officers proceeding on leave, training, tour, or election duty will be duty-bound to inform their respective Link Officer in advance.normalnormalThe post CM meets Union Food & Supplies Minister to discuss Farmer Welfare & Procurement issue appeared first on Chandigarh City News.