Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini while chairing a high-powered purchase committee meeting approved purchases and contracts worth Rs 249.77 crores of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) on Tuesday.

Eleven infrastructure development projects of the Authority were approved for allotment to the qualifying agency. Due to robust negotiations with various bidders pitching for these projects, the government was able to further save Rs 7.96 crores.

The projects approved have been designed to further uplift the road infrastructure, enhance connectivity, improve public transport services, facilitate safe pedestrian movement and also support equitable distribution of water supply in the city.

Haryana Heritage and Tourism Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma said on Tuesday that Mahabharata-linked historical pilgrimage sites in Kurukshetra and surrounding districts would be developed as key tourism destinations.

In this regard, officials from the Union Ministry of Tourism and the state Tourism Department were working together in a coordinated manner.

Minister Sharma informed this after attending the Second Mahabharata Circuit Conference, held in Karnal.

To promote tourism, the Union Ministry of Tourism (Northern Region) organised the conference to discuss the development of historical and ancient pilgrimage sites related to the Mahabharata in the mythological and religious region of Kurukshetra and its neighbouring districts.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has been appointed as the Chairman of Gurugram District Public Relations and Grievances Committee, the government said on Monday.

According to the notification issued by the Chief Secretary’s Office, Energy Minister Anil Vij has been appointed as Chairman of District Public Relations and Grievances Committees of Kaithal and Sirsa, while Development and Panchayat Minister Krishan Lal Panwar will handle Hisar and Rohtak, Industry and Commerce Minister Rao Singh will look at Nuh and Faridabad and Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda will oversee Bhiwani and Jind districts.

The Haryana government on Saturday appealed to the farmers of the state to refrain from burning crop residue after harvesting paddy as burning crop residue not only leads to air pollution but also depletes soil nutrients.

Instead of burning, farmers should mix the residue into the soil using machinery. Incorporating paddy residue into the soil will enhance soil fertility and will contribute to a cleaner environment as well.

Sharing information in this regard, an official spokesperson for the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department said that the government has started the Haryana Parali Protsahan Yojana -- 2024-25 to promote crop residue management.

The Special Task Force (STF) of the Haryana Police has arrested three criminals, having a bounty of Rs 1.20 lakh, for their alleged involvement in killing a 23-year-old bouncer, police said.

The victim, Anuj, a resident of Kadarpur village, was gunned down by the accused at Ullawas Chowk when he was returning home.

CCTV footage captured the chilling attack, showing the perpetrators firing on the victim on June 28.

The armed assailants wearing t-shirts with an online food delivery service logo fired multiple shots at Anuj.

Nayab Singh Saini government in Haryana has directed the authorities to ensure timely procurement of paddy and millet crops from farmers and also disburse the amount in their accounts, without any delay.

The prompt action from the state administration has resulted in disbursal of about Rs 9,439 crore, directly into the bank accounts of paddy and millet farmers. This includes Rs 8,545 crore for paddy and Rs 894 crore for millet.

Sharing information on the same, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said that 46,62,244 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy have arrived in various mandis so far. Out of the total arrival, 44,59,364 metric tonnes of paddy have been procured by the agencies on MSP. Continuous lifting of paddy from the mandis is also being ensured. At the same time, 4,38,516 metric tonnes of millet have arrived in various mandis. 4,27,364 metric tonnes of millet have been procured on MSP, which is about 98 per cent of the total arrival.

Haryana's Industry, Environment, Forest and Wildlife Minister Rao Narbir Singh inaugurated four anti-smog guns launched by Municipal Corporation Gurugram (MCG) in the Civil Lines area here on Monday.

The minister said that the government is working seriously to reduce environmental pollution.

Under this new introduction, mechanised cleaning of roads is being done. Apart from this, sprinkling of water on roads and trees is going on continuously to prevent dust from flying.

"To ensure compliance with Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) rules, teams are monitoring different areas, and action is also being taken against those doing banned activities. Increasing environmental pollution is a matter of concern for all of us and everyone should give their cooperation for pollution control," Rao said.

Four people were burnt alive after their rented room caught fire due to an electric short circuit in the Saraswati Enclave area of Gurugram late at night, police said on Saturday.

The deceased have been identified as Noor Alam (27), Sahil (22), Aman (17) and Mohammad Mushtaq (22), all natives of Bihar.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire first erupted in an electric appliance in the room and later, it spread in the entire room situated on the first floor of a four-story building.

Three-time legislator Harvinder Kalyan was unanimously elected Speaker of the Haryana Assembly on Friday.

His name was proposed by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and seconded by Minister Ranbir Gangwa.

Pro-tem Speaker Rabhuvir Kadian declared Kalyan elected Speaker as there was no other candidate in the fray.

Belonging to the Other Backward Class (OBC), Kalyan represents the Gharaunda Assembly segment that falls in Karnal -- a district not represented in the Saini ministry.

The Gurugram Traffic Police have issued 189 challans for ‘silencer blast’, mostly by Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles and pressure horns in the previous month.

‘Silencer Blast’, technically an offence called ‘Silencer making noise’ under Sections 120 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules and 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, is usually performed by switching the engine off and suddenly on again when the motorcycle is at a high speed.

A sound like that of a firecracker is produced. It is usually done in very heavy-engine motorcycles like the Bullet.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said a special campaign was launched by Gurugram Police in the previous month to curb traffic violations by using silencer blasts and pressure horns.