Haryana’s cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on 1 January 2026, approved a package of measures designed to expand social support, regularise long‑serving contract workers and strengthen local administration. The announcements came at a post‑cabinet press conference in which the chief minister also extended New Year greetings to residents.
Haryana cabinet decisions expand welfare and local governance
The most prominent change affects the Deendayal Lado Laxmi Yojana, a women‑focused cash support programme. The state government has broadened eligibility so that mothers of children who secure 80 per cent or more in class 10 or 12 will now qualify. Officials said the move aims to reward families that achieve high educational outcomes while continuing existing support for economically vulnerable households.
Under the revised rules, beneficiaries who already receive 2,100 rupees annually will continue to be supported. Of that sum, 1,100 rupees will be transferred directly to the woman’s account while the remaining 1,000 rupees will be placed into a government‑arranged recurring deposit or fixed deposit to encourage savings and long‑term financial security. The government said more than one million women have applied to the scheme so far, and roughly 800,000 are currently receiving payments.
Officials also extended the scheme under the NIPUN (nutritional improvement) framework. Women who have helped children recover from malnutrition or anaemia — including households with annual incomes up to 180,000 rupees — will be eligible for the 2,100 rupee benefit where the child moves into a healthy category.
In personnel matters, the cabinet approved regularisation and qualifying service for 347 transport department drivers who were appointed on contract in 2002. The decision grants them benefits including the old pension scheme, family pension provisions and access to a General Provident Fund account, with service to be reckoned from their initial appointment. The financial adjustments are to be considered effective from 1 September 2024 or from any alternate cut‑off date set by the government.
The cabinet also sanctioned land in Rattewali village of Barwala block, Panchkula district, to the Kamdhenu Gau Seva Committee on a 20‑year lease for establishing a gaushala. The move was presented as part of efforts to support cow welfare and allied community services.
Local governance received a boost with municipal status granted to Kunjpura in Karnal, Madlauda in Panipat and Shahzadpur in Ambala. The upgrades are expected to improve urban services, regulatory oversight and development planning in those towns.
To increase transparency in land transactions, the cabinet tightened restrictions on registry entries in unapproved or “kachchi” colonies, including an expanded prohibition on registrations effected through exchange agreements. The measure is intended to curb irregularities in property transfers and protect buyers in informal settlements.
State ministers framed the decisions as targeted reforms to strengthen social protection, regularise long‑pending employment cases and improve municipal governance. The combined measures reflect a focus on welfare, fiscal prudence and administrative reform as Haryana begins the new year.
Key Takeaways:
- Haryana cabinet decisions widen Deendayal Lado Laxmi benefits to more mothers and women supporting child nutrition.
- Government will regularise 347 transport drivers appointed in 2002 and grant pension and service benefits.
- Land approved for a gaushala, and three towns given municipal status to strengthen local governance.
- Scheme payments split between direct transfers and government recurring deposits to boost financial security.
