Face2News/Chandigarh
The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today, approved an amendment to Section 30 of the Punjab Courts Act, 1918, as applicable to the State of Haryana, in order to remove legal ambiguity and ensuring alignment with existing central legislation.
The decision follows a recommendation from the Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, who highlighted that the current provision in Section 30 refers to the Indian Succession Act, 1865 and the Probate and Administration Act, 1881—both of which have been repealed and replaced by the Indian Succession Act, 1925.
To address this inconsistency, the Cabinet has approved the substitution of the outdated references with the Indian Succession Act, 1925 in clause (a) of sub-section (2) of Section 30 of the Punjab Courts Act, 1918 (as applicable to Haryana). The amendment aims to bring clarity to the legal framework governing jurisdiction in certain succession-related proceedings handled by subordinate courts.
Aapproves amendments to Haryana Superior Judicial Service Rules, 2007 in compliance with SC directions : The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today, approved amendments to the Haryana Superior Judicial Service Rules, 2007, in compliance with directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in various judgments concerning judicial service reforms.
The amendments have been carried out following directions in the landmark case All India Judges Association and others vs Union of India and others, along with other related judgments, with the objective of strengthening the structure, transparency and efficiency of recruitment and service conditions in the higher judicial cadre.
As per the approved amendments, significant changes have been made in the method of recruitment to the Haryana Superior Judicial Service. The existing quota for promotion through merit-cum-seniority has been revised from 65 percent to 50 percent. The share of recruitment through Limited Competitive Examination (LCE) has been increased from 10 percent to 25 percent, thereby enhancing opportunities for meritorious judicial officers. The remaining 25 percent posts will continue to be filled through direct recruitment; however, eligibility has been expanded to include not only advocates from the Bar but also eligible candidates from the Subordinate Judicial Service.
The Cabinet has also approved changes in eligibility criteria and service conditions. Provisions relating to experience, age, and qualifying service for candidates appearing through different recruitment channels have been rationalised.
Further, amendments have been made in rules governing seniority and roster management. Clear provisions have been introduced to determine seniority in cases where recruitment processes extend across different years, ensuring fairness and consistency. The existing roster has also been revised to streamline inter se seniority and maintain a balanced distribution among different sources of recruitment.
Approves removal of mandatory six-month training requirement for Pharmacy Officers
Cabinet approved amendments to the Haryana Health Department Pharmacists (Group-C) Service Rules, 1998, with the aim of addressing staff shortages and improving healthcare service delivery across the state. After the post of Pharmacist was redesignated as Pharmacy Officer in 2021, the minimum qualification was upgraded to a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy along with a mandatory six-month training requirement in hospital-based pharmacy services. However, the stricter criteria resulted in a limited pool of eligible candidates, leading to vacancies in government hospitals and dispensaries. To address this issue, the Cabinet has approved the removal of the mandatory six-month training requirement from the Service Rules. This step is expected to significantly widen the pool of eligible candidates and facilitate faster recruitment.
In another key decision, the Cabinet has approved a change in the recruitment ratio for the post of Pharmacy Officer. The share of direct recruitment has been increased from 75 percent to 95 percent, while the quota for promotion has been reduced from 25 percent to 5 percent.
The Cabinet has also approved the incorporation of revised pay scales in the Service Rules. The pay level for Pharmacy Officers has been updated from FPL-6 to FPL-6A, with a revised basic pay of Rs. 39,900, as already approved by the Finance Department.
The move is expected to strengthen healthcare services in Haryana by ensuring timely recruitment of qualified Pharmacy Officers and addressing manpower gaps in public health institutions across the state.
Revises eligibility norms for Operation Theatre Assistants
Cabinet approved amendments to the Haryana Health Department Para-Medical and Miscellaneous Posts (State Group ‘C’) Service Rules, 1998, to update and rationalise the qualifications for the post of Operation Theatre Assistant (OTA).
The decision has been taken in view of significant changes in medical education and training over the years. Earlier, the essential qualification for the post included a specific Operation Theatre Assistant course from institutions such as PGIMER, Chandigarh. However, such diploma-level courses have been discontinued since 2009 and replaced with degree-based programmes such as Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (Operation Theatre/Anesthesia).
Recognising this shift, the Cabinet has approved revised eligibility criteria aligned with current academic standards. Under the amended rules, candidates for direct recruitment will now be required to have 10+2 with Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics) along with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology (Operation Theatre/Anesthesia) from a recognised institution or university. Provisions relating to knowledge of Hindi or Sanskrit have also been retained.
The amendments also rationalise eligibility conditions for appointments through promotion and deputation. For promotion, candidates must have 10+2 with Science and at least five years of experience as a Group-D employee in the operation theatre of a government health institution. For deputation, candidates must possess the prescribed educational qualifications along with relevant experience as an Operation Theatre Assistant.
The move is expected to ensure availability of suitably qualified technical staff in operation theatres across government health institutions, while aligning recruitment norms with contemporary medical education standards.
Approves standard format for Utilization Certificates
Cabinet approved an amendment to Rule 8.14 (b) of the Haryana Financial Rules, Volume-I, to introduce a standardized format for submission of Utilization Certificates (UCs) for grants-in-aid.
At present, institutions, local bodies, boards, corporations and cooperative societies receiving grants-in-aid are required to furnish Utilization Certificates to confirm that funds have been used for the intended purpose, however no uniform format had been prescribed under the existing rules. This had led to variations in reporting and challenges in ensuring consistency and transparency.
To address this gap, the Cabinet approved the insertion of a detailed proforma of Utilization Certificate within the rules. The standardized format has been designed to bring uniformity across all departments and entities receiving government grants, and incorporates inputs from the Principal Accountant General (Accounts and Entitlement), Haryana.
Under the amended provision, the officer responsible for sanctioning or drawing the grant will be required to certify that the conditions attached to the grant have been fulfilled. The Utilization Certificate will be submitted in the prescribed format at intervals agreed upon with the Principal Accountant General. The rules also mandate verification mechanisms, including maintenance of records, submission of supporting documents, and audit or inspection checks to ensure proper utilization of funds.
The decision is expected to enhance financial discipline, transparency, and accountability in the utilization of public funds across departments and institutions in Haryana.
Amendment in Last Pay Certificate format under Haryana Treasury Rules
Approved amendments in the format of the Last Pay Certificate (LPC) prescribed under Rule 4.176 of the Haryana Treasury Rules, Volume-II, applicable to the State of Haryana.
The decision has been taken to modernize and strengthen the existing system of financial documentation related to government employees, particularly at the time of their transfer from one office to another. The Last Pay Certificate is a crucial document that carries comprehensive details regarding an employee’s pay, allowances, deductions, loans, and advances, ensuring smooth financial transition between departments.
As per the approved proposal of the Finance Department, the revised LPC format will incorporate several new elements in line with recent administrative and financial reforms. Notably, provisions have been added to include Unique Code Payee (UCP) and Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN), which have become essential components of employee financial records in recent years. Additionally, a new column related to verification of service for the entire period of posting has also been introduced to enhance transparency and accountability.
The amended format also provides for taking detailed employee information such as PAN, mobile number, pay level, basic pay, allowances, and comprehensive deductions including income tax, GPF/PRAN subscriptions, advances, and recoveries.
Approval to the Policy regarding utilisation of land earmarked as Mixed land Use in Various Department Plans of the State.
The provision of mixed land use zones has been made in few development plans of the State, wherein, residential, commercial, public and semi-public as well as, industrial use are proposed. Since, the percentage of uses allowed in such mixed land use zones has not been prescribed in the respective development plans, therefore, the permissions for setting up of different permissible projects therein could not be granted and are pending with the Department. Hence the Cabinet has approved a comprehensive policy to address the said issue.
As per the newly formulated Policy, the residential, commercial and institutional uses in mixed land use zones shall be permitted irrespective of any percentage cap viz-a-viz net planned area of the relevant sector/zone. However, other planning parameters including approach & area norms shall be followed as per zoning regulations of the relevant development plan and prevailing policies of the Department framed for grant of such permissions for rèsidential, commercial and institutional use from time to time.
In the already notified development plans, where industrial use is shown as permissible along with other three compatible uses i.e. residential, commercial & institutional, the industrial use shall be restricted to existing extent and no expansion thereof shall be permitted in future. However, the extension of such uses within the existing premises may be considered. Further, in case any of the owner(s) of such existing industrial unit seeks change of land use to any of other three conforming uses i.e. residential, commercial & institutional, then the same shall be permissible strictly in accordance with the applicable policy parameters and norms.
Besides above, the projects having mixed land use i.e. residential or/and commercial or/and institutional shall be permitted in the proportion of 70:30 i.e. minimum 70 percent dominant use and maximum 30 percent allied use. The percentage of allied use can be minimized upto 7.5 percent, i.e.
This Policy stipulates the following planning/area norms for mixed land use approvals.
Sr. No.
Dominant Use + Allied Use
Min area norms
Permissible FAR
Maximum Ground coverage
1
Residential + Commercial
4.00 acres
1.75
60%
2
Commercial + Residential
2.00 acres
1.75
60%
3
Institutional + Residential
5.00 acres
1.5
40%
4
Institutional + Commercial
2.00 acres
1.5
40%
**********************************************
Chandigarh, March 24- Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today approved the amendment in Affordable Housing Policy - 2013 dated 19.08.2013 as amended from time to time under section 9A of Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act, 1975 (Act no. 8 of 1975).
The rates of allotment of apartment units stands prescribed in Clause 5(i) of the Affordable Housing Policy-2013. These rates were approved in the year 2013 and later on revised in year 2021 and in year 2023. The representations have been received from industry, bodies like BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industries etc. for increase in the allotment rates amounting to increased project cost, increase in land cost, hike in costs of the other building materials as well as huge labour costs, making it difficult for the developers to build affordable units.
The representation has been examined and to extend the benefits of Affordable Group Housing policy to the targeted beneficiaries, it is felt that in order to encourage affordable group housing projects, the allotment rates for the apartment units under AGH projects across, the State of Haryana may be increased on an average by 10 to 12% from previous rates.
Sr. No.
Development Plan
Maximum allotment rate on per sq. ft. carpet area basis
Additional recovery against balcony of min 5 ft. width
a
Gurgaon
Rs. 5,575/-
Rs. 1,300 per sq. ft. against all balcony area in a flat adding upto and limited to 100 sq. ft., as permitted in the approved building plans, but total cost for this should not exceed Rs. 1.30 lakh per flat.
b
Faridabad, Sohna
Rs. 5,450/-
c
Other High and Medium Potential Towns
Rs. 5,050/-
d
Low Potential Towns
Rs. 4,250/-
The aforementioned rates may be made applicable on all licenses granted under Affordable Housing Policy-2013, which are yet to make allotments. In cases where applications have already been invited, differential amount shall be demanded from the successful candidates but draw shall be conducted on the basis of applications already received. In case any applicant is not interested to participate in draw on revised rates, then the amount already deposited with the application shall be refunded to such applicants without any deduction and public notice in this regard shall be issued by the colonizer.
*********************************
Cabinet Approves Amendment to Food & Drugs Administration Service Rules to Align with Revised Central Food Safety Norms
Chandigarh, March 24 - The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today, approved the First Amendment to the Haryana Food and Drugs Administration Department, Subordinate Offices (Group-B) Service Rules, 2018, with the objective of aligning state service rules with the latest guidelines issued by the Government of India and strengthening the regulatory framework governing food safety and drug administration in the state.
The amendment was necessitated following the notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, dated 16th January 2023, which revised the essential qualifications and experience criteria under the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011. These changes pertain specifically to key regulatory positions including Designated Officers, Food Safety Officers, and Food Analysts.
In line with the revised central norms, the Haryana Cabinet has approved corresponding changes in the state service rules to ensure uniformity and compliance. The amendments revise the eligibility conditions, including educational qualifications and professional experience requirements, for the aforementioned posts. The step is aimed at ensuring that personnel appointed to these critical positions possess updated technical expertise and are better equipped to handle evolving challenges in food safety and drug regulation.
The decision is expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Food and Drugs Administration Department by ensuring that recruitment and promotions are based on contemporary standards prescribed at the national level.
Notably, the Food and Drugs Administration Department, which was carved out as an independent entity from the Health Department in January 2011, functions under the administrative control of the Health Department and is headed by the Commissioner, Food and Drugs Administration. The department is responsible for regulating food safety, drug control, and related public health standards across Haryana.
************
Cabinet Approves Revised Cost Estimate of Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) Project
Chandigarh, March 24 - The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today, approved the revised cost estimate of the ambitious Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC) Project, reaffirming the state’s commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and boosting industrial growth.
The Cabinet approved a revised project cost of approximately ₹11,709 crore, as against the earlier sanctioned cost of ₹5,618 crore. The revision reflects updated cost assessments based on current market conditions, project scope enhancements, and policy changes. The revised estimate had earlier been approved by the Board of Directors of Haryana Orbital Rail Corporation Limited (HORCL), the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) responsible for project implementation.
The project is being executed through a joint venture structure under Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation (HRIDC), with participation from key stakeholders including government agencies and private partners such as Maruti Suzuki India Limited and Allcargo logistics.
The increase in project cost can be primarily attributed to multiple factors, including a sharp rise in land acquisition costs, charge in alignment, new bridges in the NCR region, general cost escalation over time, and an increase in GST rates on works contracts from 12 percent to 18 percent. Additionally, changes in railway policies and the need for upgraded technical specifications have contributed to higher construction costs.
The revised estimate also incorporates additional project components and scope enhancements, including modifications to railway yard infrastructure and connectivity improvements in certain sections, which were not part of the original plan. These additions are aimed at improving operational efficiency and ensuring seamless integration with existing and upcoming rail and freight corridors, including the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC).
Once completed, the HORC project will provide direct rail connectivity to major industrial and logistics hubs such as Kharkhoda, Manesar, and Sohna, while also supporting the development of new townships in the Haryana NCR region. The corridor is expected to play a critical role in facilitating freight movement, reducing transit time, and promoting industrialization in the state.
***********
Chandigarh, March 24- Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today accorded approval to a proposal regarding shifting back of loan portfolio facility in respect of Government employees from Punjab National Bank to State Government as per previous system.
Prior to implementation of the notification, the State Government was providing these loans/advances to its employees directly by making annual budget provision under Major Head-7610. Thereafter, vide approval of the Council of Ministers the State government has decided to shift the loan portfolio to Punjab National Bank (hereinafter PNB). Accordingly, the Scheme for shifting of the loan portfolio to PNB in respect of loans to employees was circulated. The State Government had entered into Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement for the purpose.
Now it is proposed to revert back to the old system of loaning directly to the State Government employees i.e. the one prior to 04.11.2016. In this system, loans to the employees will be given at the simple rate of interest @ GPF rate or as decided from time to time, directly by the State Government and the loan accounts will be maintained by Principal Accountant General (A&E). This is being done because the current system is posing operational difficulties.
Now the Cabinet has approved to shift back to the old system in two parts for fresh disbursal of loans to employees as per old practice by the State Government.
As per the approval, the disbursement of loans by the State Government directly from the State Budget will be initiated with effect from June 1, 2026. Furthermore, a budgetary provision of Rs. 375.52 crore for financial year 2026-27 has already been made to enable the Government to dispense fresh loans directly to its employees with effect from June 1, 2026.
Fresh loans through PNB will be stopped w.e.f. June 1, 2026. Also all existing loans (including those created till May 31, 2026) shall continue to be repaid by the employees to PNB till the completion of reconciliation exercise. At the end of this reconciliation exercise, the remaining loan amount of all employees existing with PNB will be paid to the PNB and all the loan accounts will be transferred to Principal Accountant General (A&E), Haryana.
***********
Cabinet Approves Amendments to Industrial Licensing Policy-2015 to Promote Industrial Growth and Ease of Doing Business
Chandigarh, March 24 - The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today, approved significant amendments to the Industrial Licensing Policy dated 01.10.2015, with the objective of rationalizing regulatory provisions, reducing financial burden on developers, and promoting planned industrial development across the state.
The amendments have been introduced in response to long-pending industry demands, including representations from stakeholders such as NAREDCO, and are aimed at bringing clarity, consistency, and parity with decisions taken in other sectoral policies such as the Textile Policy.
A key decision of the Cabinet relates to the rationalization of External Development Charges (EDC) in agriculture zones. It has been approved that in cases where an industrial licence has been granted in agriculture zones beyond 500 metres of the urbanisable limit, and where completion or part completion certificate has already been issued, no EDC shall be payable if such land subsequently gets included within the urbanisable zone or within 500 metres thereof. However, for the remaining non completed portion of such licensed land, EDC will be applicable as per prevailing norms for industrial colonies in urbanisable zones. Further, in cases where a developer seeks specific infrastructure facilities for the already completed or part-completed area, only the actual cost of such infrastructure, as provided by the concerned government agencies, shall be charged.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to enable more efficient utilization of land in Transport and Communication sectors. The existing industrial licensing policy has been aligned with the Change of Land Use (CLU) policy dated 19.03.2021 by allowing industrial units in Transport and Communication sectors, thereby ensuring parity between licensing and CLU mechanisms. Under the revised provisions, permission for setting up industrial colonies as well as CLU permissions will now be allowed in Transport and Communication zones of published Final Development Plans, upto 25 percent of the total net planned area of such zones to enable enhanced land utilization through compact development.
This change also extends the applicability of such provisions to hyper potential and high potential towns, which were previously not covered, thus expanding industrial opportunities in rapidly growing urban centres.
*************
Haryana Cabinet Approves Revised DPR for Rithala–Narela–Kundli Metro Corridor
Chandigarh, March 24 - The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today, has approved the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Rithala–Narela-Kundli (Phase-IV) corrdior, covering the Haryana portion of the project.
The approved project involves the extension of the metro line from Narela to Kundli over a length of 2.726 km within Haryana, with two elevated stations at Kundli and Nathupur. The total completion cost of the Haryana portion has been approved at ₹545.77 crore.
Out of the total cost, the Government of India will contribute ₹97.30 crore, while the Government of Haryana will contribute ₹448.48 crore, including land costs. The project will be implemented with a funding pattern similar to other DMRC projects, with grants and subordinate debt components shared between the Centre and the State.
The Cabinet also approved the revised DPR incorporating updated financial and technical parameters. The project has already received approval from the Public Investment Board (PIB) of the Government of India.
The Cabinet has authorized the ACS, Town and Country Planning, Haryana, to execute agreements with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and take necessary steps for timely implementation of the project. The Chief Minister has been empowered to approve any modifications required during execution in consultation with the Government of India.
Notably, this infrastructure project will provide seamless connectivity between Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh (Ghaziabad), significantly improving regional mobility and reducing traffic congestion in the NCR region.
**********
Haryana Cabinet approves Delhi–Panipat–Karnal Namo Bharat RRTS Corridor
Major boost to regional connectivity, economic growth and urban mobility
Chandigarh, March 24 - The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today, has approved the implementation of the Delhi–Panipat–Karnal Namo Bharat (Regional Rapid Transit System–RRTS) corridor. The project marks a significant step towards strengthening fast, safe, and modern public transport infrastructure in the state.
As per the approved proposal, the corridor will extend from Delhi to Panipat and further up to Karnal, covering a total length of approximately 136.30 km. The estimated total project cost is around ₹33,051.15 crore, out of which the share of the Haryana Government is ₹7,472.11 crore. The state’s contribution will be released in a phased manner.
The project proposes 11 stations in Haryana, which will provide seamless and high-speed connectivity between urban and semi-urban areas of the state and the National Capital Region. The corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel time, ease road congestion, and contribute to pollution control.
The Cabinet also approved that the depot infrastructure will be jointly planned by NCRTC and the concerned land-owning agency. The depot will be developed at ground level, with provisions for commercial development above it, enabling additional revenue generation.
To strengthen the financial viability of the project, provisions have been made under the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy to allow higher Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in areas around RRTS stations. This will promote planned urban development and generate additional resources for the project.
The Cabinet has designated the Administrative Secretary, Town & Country Planning Department, as the Nodal Officer for the project and authorized him to sign agreements and related documents with NCRTC. The Chief Minister has also been empowered to approve any changes or modifications required during implementation to address bottlenecks or difficulties.
The Cabinet also desired that this RRTS corridor be extended beyond Karnal to Panchkula via Kurukshetra and Saha, and the matter be taken up with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India and the NCRTC.
This corridor is expected to improve access to employment, trade, education, and healthcare, while promoting balanced and sustainable regional development.
***********
Chandigarh, March 24- Haryana Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today accorded approval to amendments in Haryana School Education Rules, 2003 regarding change in age criteria for admission to Class-I in compliance with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
These rules will be called the Haryana School Education (Amendment) Rules, 2026. They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the office gazette.
As per the existing provisions contained in Clauses 1 and 2 of Rule 131 of the Haryana School Education Rules, 2003, the minimum age prescribed for admission to Class-I is 5 years. However, as per the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, in order to ensure uniformity across the country, the minimum age for admission to Class-I has been prescribed as 6 years or above and the said amendments are being made.
Notably, the Government of India has issued the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, under which, directions were issued to all States to ensure uniformity in the age of admission across the country, stipulating that the age of children seeking admission to Class-I should be 6 years or above. In compliance with the National Education Policy 2020, the Education Department issued instructions regarding admissions on 29-03-2024 to the District Education Officers / District Elementary Education Officers / Block Education Officers / Principals and School Heads.
***************
Chandigarh, March 24 - In alignment with the objectives of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which emphasizes a community-managed approach, the State Cabinet which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini here today approved a decentralized, participatory, and sustainable governance model for rural drinking water supply through Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Policy for Rural drinking water supply system on Government-Community Partnership (GCP) basis for setting up Rural Local Bodies (RLBs).
Notably, the cornerstone of this new O&M Policy is the establishment and empowerment of the Village Water and Sewerage Committee (VWSC) under the Gram Panchayat, functioning on a Government-Community Partnership (GCP) model. The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) will provide continuous technical support, handholding and capacity building to these committees. This partnership aims to ensure Sustainable Operation and Maintenance of water supply infrastructure, timely resolution of service issues, improved service delivery and user satisfaction, accountability and transparency in local water governance.
The VWSC shall carry out Operation and Maintenance activities at the Gram Panchayat level. These activities will include ensuring proper water supply to each household, maintenance of head works, rectification of any faults/leakages arising in the scheme or in the distribution system, repair of minor and major leakages, monitoring of the water supply system and revenue collection. Technical assistance for all these tasks shall be provided by the Public Health Engineering Department. However, the responsibilities such as electricity charges, staffing, and new infrastructure works will remain with the Public Health Engineering Department.
Also, to improve accountability, the redressal of drinking water-related grievances will continue to remain under the Right to Service Act, with PHED responsible for ensuring timely compliance. It also includes building community capacity for water testing, record keeping, O&M practices and maintaining accurate consumer data through the BISWAS billing software, operated by Self-Help Group (SHG) members. The issuance and collection of water bills will be managed with revenues directly utilized for local O&M. Furthermore, VWSCs will implement the most suitable maintenance practices based on local needs, ensuring a responsive, community-centred water management system.
For the overall health and sustainability of the drinking water supply systems, it is essential to encourage citizens to participate financially. On implementation of the Operation and Maintenance Policy, the revenue collection on account of water charges is expected to increase substantially and ultimately lead to saving in the State exchequer. Moreover, O&M Policy aims to incentivize Gram Panchayat by giving additional funds equal to water charges collected from consumers. Decentralized governance will instill community ownership ably supported with financial resources and robust institutional system of the new O&M Policy, which is expected to reduce time taken in redressing citizen grievances.
Terms and Conditions of the Policy
Villages in Haryana can be categorized in three broad categories namely Single Panchayat Maintenance (Mtc.) schemes, Multiple Panchayat Mtc scheme, big villages under MahagramYojnaMtc scheme.
In Single Panchayat Mtc. scheme rural drinking water system is covering village/s, dhani/s, habitation/s falling within jurisdiction of Single Panchayat. This single Panchayat Maintenance scheme will comprise of single or multiple drinking water sources consisting of tubewells or canal-based sources.
Notably, there are 6721 villages in Haryana, out of which 4583 the category of Single Panchayat Maintenance Scheme, 2138 falls in Multiple Panchayat and Mahagram villages.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as tripartite agreement shall be signed between Gram Panchayat, VWSC and PHED to rollout O & M policy in each Gram Panchayat.
The implementation of new O&M Policy will be from April 1, 2026 in the Single Panchayat Maintenance Scheme and with effect from April 1, 2027 in the Multiple Panchayat and Mahagram villages.