Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Haryana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, met on Thursday and discussed eight major proposals covering water management, startup promotion, coaching regulations and healthcare reforms. One of the key decisions was to convene the Monsoon Session of the Haryana Assembly from August 27, which will continue for three days.
A major highlight of the meeting was the approval of the Water Secure Haryana Programme, which will be implemented with World Bank assistance at an estimated cost of ₹5,714.80 crore. The programme aims to strengthen irrigation infrastructure and improve water management across the state. It will cover 48.94 lakh acres of land in 15 irrigation clusters and is expected to directly benefit around 45 lakh people.
Under the project, the government plans to renovate 104 canals and 620 watercourses, construct 131 new water structures, develop 120 micro-irrigation projects and improve 2 lakh acres of waterlogged land. Officials said the initiative is designed to ensure better water availability for agriculture and reduce long-term irrigation challenges.
Cabinet also approved significant reforms to encourage startups and women entrepreneurs. Women-led startups will receive 50% subsidy on lease rent for one year, up to ₹10 lakh, along with 100% SGST reimbursement for seven years and micro-grants ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. The government believes these measures will help create a stronger ecosystem for women-led enterprises in Haryana.
For general startups, the state announced 50% SGST reimbursement for seven years, seed-fund matching grants up to ₹25 lakh, and 10% reservation in government procurement. The Cabinet also decided to distribute 10,000 DIY innovation kits to connect young people with innovation and entrepreneurship activities.
In another important move, Haryana approved the establishment of a world-class H-Hub incubator in partnership with corporate and educational institutions. Startups will also be eligible for matching grants of ₹10 lakh to ₹25 lakh for private or angel investments and corporate pilot projects. Industries engaging apprentices will receive 50% reimbursement of stipends up to ₹7,500 per apprentice per month, subject to a maximum of 50 apprentices per unit annually.
Cabinet further approved the Haryana Private Coaching Institutions Rules-2026, making registration on a government portal mandatory for all existing and new private coaching centres. Institutions will now have to provide safe drinking water, electricity, fire safety arrangements and medical first-aid facilities, while also displaying safety-related information on their official websites.
Another significant reform was made in the Nursing Home Policy. Doctors will now be allowed to operate nursing homes not only on plots owned by them but also on leased residential plots for the duration of the lease. The provision will apply to allopathic and AYUSH doctors registered with the relevant councils and the local branch of the Indian Medical Association, subject to payment of the prescribed conversion charges.
Cabinet also decided that startups based in Chandigarh would be eligible for benefits under Haryana’s Category-2 startup provisions. With these decisions, the Saini government has indicated a broad policy push aimed at water security, entrepreneurship, skill development, education regulation and healthcare expansion ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Assembly.
