The Haryana Cabinet, in a significant meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, approved a series of major decisions aimed at welfare, administrative reform, and social justice. The key announcements included providing a government job to the widow of a deceased police officer, expanding a flagship scheme for women, extending pension benefits to contract drivers, and tightening regulations on property transactions in unauthorized colonies.
Justice for a Bereaved Family: A Job for ASI Lathar's Widow
In a compassionate move, the cabinet approved the appointment of Santosh Devi, the wife of late Rohtak Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sandeep Kumar Lathar, to a government post. ASI Lathar had died by suicide on October 14 in Rohtak. Following the cabinet meeting, CM Saini announced that Santosh Devi will be appointed as a PGT Mathematics (Group B) teacher at the Campus School of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak.
The case had garnered attention as the FIR filed by Devi alleged that her husband took his own life due to political and administrative pressure. This was linked to the earlier death of IGP Y Puran Kumar, who also died by suicide. ASI Lathar was part of the police team that had arrested the IGP's personal security officer in connection with a complaint by a liquor contractor.
Broadening Social Security Nets
The cabinet gave its nod to expand the scope of the Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Scheme, a women-centric welfare initiative. Previously, the scheme provided Rs 2,100 per month to women from families with an annual income below Rs 1 lakh. The benefits will now be extended to a wider group, including:
- Mothers of students scoring over 80% marks in Class 10 and 12 board exams.
- Women working under the NIPUN scheme.
- Mothers who help bring malnourished or anaemic children into the healthy 'green zone'.
For eligibility under these new categories, the family's annual income ceiling has been raised to Rs 1.8 lakh. The assistance structure remains unchanged, with Rs 1,100 directly credited to the woman's account and Rs 1,000 deposited by the government in a recurring or fixed deposit. So far, over 10.25 lakh women have applied, with around 8 lakh already receiving benefits.
Pension Relief and Governance Reforms
In a major relief for transport department employees, the cabinet approved granting Old Pension Scheme (OPS) benefits to 347 drivers who were appointed on contract in 2002. These drivers will now be considered regular employees from their initial appointment date. Their service will be counted for benefits like the Assured Career Progression (ACP), OPS, Family Pension Scheme 1964, and GPF accounts. While notional benefits apply until August 31, 2024, actual financial benefits will accrue from September 1, 2024.
Emphasizing transparency in property dealings, CM Saini announced a complete ban on property registries in unauthorized colonies. Land exchange for registration purposes in such colonies has also been completely prohibited, closing a potential loophole.
Reflecting the government's focus on cow protection, the cabinet approved leasing Panchayat land in Rathewali village (Panchkula district) to the Kamdhenu Gau Seva Samiti for 20 years to establish a gaushala at a concessional rate.
Improved Sex Ratio and Strict Enforcement
Chief Minister Saini highlighted the success of the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' campaign, stating that Haryana's sex ratio has improved dramatically from 871 in 2014 to a record 923 in 2025. He credited strict enforcement for this change, revealing that in 2025 alone, the state conducted 154 raids under the PNDT Act and related abortion laws. These actions led to the closure of 41 chemist shops and 395 abortion centres, with 114 FIRs registered under the MTP Act and 83 charge sheets filed in courts.
These comprehensive decisions underscore the Haryana government's stated commitment to inclusive growth, women's empowerment, social justice, and robust governance.
