The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of CM Manohar Lal Khattar, today approved the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Bill, 2024, in the interest of innocent and unemployed youths from falling prey to illegal immigration rackets.
Budget Session from Feb 20
The Budget session of the Vidhan Sabha will commence on February 20 and continue till March 6, with a break of one week during the session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar told reporters.
Key highlights of this Bill included that no person could be a travel agent without obtaining a registration certificate from the competent authority. Individuals involved in human smuggling, forging documents and violating provisions of the Acts may face imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
Upholding body’s dignity
The Cabinet granted approval to the Haryana Honourable Disposal of Dead Body Bill, 2024, which states that nobody should be allowed to raise any demand, or bait for pursuing any demands by way of any protest or agitation by not performing the timely last rites of a dead body. It is essential to prevent any individual from using a body as a means of protest or demonstration in any form.
Rs 250 hike in pensions
A monthly enhancement of Rs 250 for 14 pension schemes being implemented by the Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of SCs & BCs, and Antyodaya (SEWA) Department, has been approved with effect from January 1. The decision will benefit about 31.40 lakh persons.
The beneficiaries of nine schemes would get Rs 3,000 as compared to the current Rs 2,750. These schemes are Old Age Samman Allowance Scheme, Haryana Pension to Widows and Destitute Women Scheme, Haryana Disabled Persons Pension Scheme, Ladli Social Allowance Scheme, Haryana Allowance to Dwarf Scheme Pension, Haryana Allowance to Eunuchs Scheme, Financial Assistance to Widowers and Unmarried Persons, Financial Assistance for Stage 3 and Stage 4 Cancer Patients, and Financial Assistance to Persons Suffering from Rare Diseases.
In addition, financial assistance under the Non-School Going Disabled Children Scheme has been increased from Rs 2,150 to Rs 2,400, under Destitute Children Scheme from Rs 1,850 to Rs 2,100, and under Kashmiri Migrants Scheme from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,500.
Pension for patients
Those suffering from thalassemia and haemophilia, with a family income of up to Rs 3 lakh per annum, will now be entitled to a monthly disability pension of Rs 3,000. This decision, expected to benefit about 2,083 patients, will result in an annual disbursement of Rs 7.49 crore.
Hisar development Bill
The draft of the Hisar Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) Bill, 2024, has also been given the green light. The HMDA would ensure sustained and balanced growth of Hisar metropolitan area.
Global City gets Rs 1,500 cr
The Haryana Cabinet has approved sanction/enhancement of working limits of Rs 1,500 crore of Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (HSIIDC) for infrastructure development, mainly at Global City in Gurugram, and IMT, Sohna.
Multi-model logistics parks
Approval has been accorded to amend the policy for setting up multi-model logistics parks. Now, a minimum area of 20 acres will be necessary for the establishment of integrated inland container depots/custom bounded areas, replacing the existing requirement of 50 acres.
Jobs for martyrs’ kin
Jobs would be provided to 18 dependents of martyrs while relaxing the policy for appointment to the dependents of martyrs on compassionate grounds. Eight cases were related to paramilitary forces, and 10 to the armed forces.
Transportation rules
The Haryana Minor Mineral Concession, Stocking, Transportation of Minerals and Prevention of Illegal Mining (Amendment) Rules, 2024, has been approved. Now, farmers will no longer be required to pay a royalty of Rs 200 for soil extracted from their farms for personal use.
