Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini has recently completed one year of his tenure. In an interview to HT, he spoke candidly about his government’s achievements, anti-terrorism prerogatives, coordination with the Delhi government and his commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. Edited excerpts:
How do you evaluate the biggest achievements of your government?
Our governance model has focused on clarity, good governance and delivery. under PM ModiUnder the guidance of PM Modi, we fulfilled our commitments: 47 manifesto promises were fulfilled and 158 are in progress. We provided jobs to 24,000 youth on the first day, and 34,000 in a year, taking the total to 180,000 transparent, merit-based government jobs in 11 years. Women received major support through Lado Lakshmi and Har Ghar-Har Grihini schemes, while Scheduled Caste and Other Backward Class-B communities received long-pending rights. Farmers benefit from minimum support price purchase on 24 crops Rs 15,627 crore in compensation and monsoon bonus. We also strengthened agricultural reforms and implemented strict action against spurious agricultural inputs.
Lado Lakshmi Yojana has emerged as one of the most ambitious women centric schemes. What is your opinion on this?
Women have always been at the center of social development. Laado Lakshmi aims to strengthen them socially and economically. So far 850,000 applications have been received and we hope that this number will soon reach 15 lakh. Over 522,000 women have already benefited 109.65 crores. Our target is to create 500,000 Lakhpati Didis in the state. Today, 50% of Haryana’s startups are led by women, and women have 50% representation in panchayats.
Haryana’s law and order situation came under scrutiny following alleged terror-related arrests in Faridabad and Al-Falah University. What steps are being taken to strengthen internal security?
We operate on a zero-tolerance policy towards crime. Modern policing, technology-enabled investigations and fast-paced judicial processes are our backbone. No criminal, no matter how influential, is spared. There has been a steady decline in major crimes – a strong sign of public confidence. Crimes against women increased by 16.8% annually under the previous Congress government. There has been a decrease of 1.36% under us. Murders have reduced. Looting and dacoity have also reduced. Central agencies are handling terror related cases with promptness and our state police fully supports them.
Do you think Haryana, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir need stronger institutionalized inter-state policing and intelligence coordination?
We already maintain strong coordination. The recent busting of the terror module is an example of vigilance and seamless cooperation. A joint inter-state coordination cell enables real-time data sharing and integrated operations. Since narcotics fuel terrorism, we set up an inter-state secretariat in Panchkula, where the seven northern states share actionable intelligence on drug networks.
What lesson do the recent incidents in Faridabad and Nuh teach?
Haryana is a tough state for criminals. We have used technology, surveillance and inter-state coordination to ensure swift and robust action. We will continue to strengthen policing and increase security in all high density districts.
During the Delhi Assembly election campaign, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal alleged that Haryana has mixed poison in the water of Yamuna. What do you say to that?
These allegations were politically motivated and completely baseless. AAP Tried to mislead people by calling Yamuna water ‘poisonous’. To be honest, I went to Palla Ghat, took achaman (achaman or touch of holy water) and drank the water myself in public. Haryana supplies clean, treated water to Delhi and no government should play politics over something as essential as drinking water.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that BJP “stole votes” in the 2024 elections. How do you respond?
These allegations are nothing but lies. Rahul Gandhi Is misleading the country. His family has ruled the country for four generations, yet today they have to rely on false claims to remain politically relevant. Congress has no real issues left, so they are trying to create confusion by making allegations. “Vote theft” In Haryana. Let me make it clear, the elections were free, fair and transparent. The Congress has a habit of whining after every defeat – unko patna hi nahi chalega and say Congress chori ho gayi (“They won’t even realize it, and then they will say: ‘Congress has been stolen.’) Even their statements on the Constitution are meant to scare people. This is an agenda-less Congress that tries to mislead voters, nothing more.
Ever since Rekha Gupta took over as the Chief Minister of Delhi, has coordination between Haryana and Delhi improved?
After Rekha Gupta took charge, coordination has become much more smooth and creative. first, down Arvind KejriwalCommunication was often confrontational and motivated by political theatrics rather than governance. Now, instead of blame game, we are seeing quick resolution of inter-state issues – be it water sharing, infrastructure planning or law-and-order coordination. With Rekha Gupta, the discussions are professional, timely and focused on solutions, which has significantly improved the working relationship between the two governments.
Gurugram is facing chronic problems – waterlogging, traffic congestion and unplanned urban expansion. What is your roadmap?
We have planned a roadmap for the district and these problems have arisen because of the poor planning of the previous Congress government. We identified 90 waterlogging hotspots in 2019; Today only 30 remain. Gurugram And Panchkula is being developed as an AI hub. The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) was established for planned development, and similar metropolitan authorities are now being created in Faridabad, Sonipat and Panchkula.
What will be the main focus areas in the next phase of economic development?
Balanced development – Ek Haryana, Ek Haryanvi (One Haryana, One Haryanvi) – has guided us since 2014. AI Hubs in Gurugram and Panchkula, Centers of Excellence in Ambala, Yamunanagar, Hisar and Palwal, Aqua Parks in Sirsa and Bhiwani, Logistics Hubs across NCR and 10 new industrial townships are in progress. We will expand land banks by 10,000 acres through e-land and accelerate Narnaul Integrated Multi-Modal Logistics Hub (IMMLH), Ambala Integrated Textile Park and Karnal Pharma Park.
How will you balance growth between industrial hubs like Gurugram and agricultural districts like Hisar, Jind and Sirsa?
Development plans of all statutory towns with population more than 50,000 have been digitalised. Eleven towns, including Hansi, Sohna, Gohana and Narwana, have approved state implementation plans. 39 schemes for cities with population less than 50,000 have been digitized and work on the rest is underway. Rural development schemes under Mahagram MahaYojana cover 11 selected villages.
Real estate prices in NCR have made housing unaffordable for the middle class. What is your solution?
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural and Urban), we have built more than 156,000 houses. More than 12,000 plots have been allotted under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Awas Yojana and more than 15,700 plots have been allotted under the urban scheme. We have approved 180 affordable housing colonies, which will enable 165,000 housing units. The allotment for economically weaker sections comprises about 36,000 plots and 68,000 flats.
What are you doing to address the concerns of youth unemployment?
We have made continuous efforts to provide private employment on a large scale along with government jobs. In 11 years, 180,000 youth secured transparent, merit-based government jobs – 34,000 in the last year alone. Recruitment is going on for 17,000 posts. More than 113,000 youth are trained under skill development programmes. More than 120,000 youth have job security under the Haryana Skill Employment Corporation. The private and self-employment ecosystem has enabled more than seven million jobs.
You recently announced that free dialysis services will be provided in all government hospitals in Haryana. How will it be implemented?
Immediately after assuming office, I signed the first file on this case, because I was surprised to know how much dialysis treatment costs each patient. 20,000- 25,000 per month; Now the Haryana government will bear this expense and will provide free dialysis in government hospitals.
Haryana is becoming a logistics and manufacturing hub. How are you ensuring environmental safeguards?
Rapid urbanization and industrialization put pressure on resources, but we have acted decisively.
Of the 5,600 tonnes of solid waste generated daily, 77% is scientifically processed. Thirteen integrated waste plants are planned. Legacy waste is being cleared. All biomedical waste – 22 tonnes per day – is disposed of safely. We created a hazardous waste site in Pali, Faridabad for industrial waste. The distribution of over 100,000 machines to farmers has led to a 90% reduction in stubble burning since 2016. We operate 75 air quality monitoring stations across Haryana.
The Drone Didi initiative has attracted attention. How is Haryana implementing this scheme?
NaMo Drone Didi scheme is transforming rural livelihoods by enabling women to operate agricultural drones and provide rental services to farmers. Each drone costs approximately 8 lakh, and Haryana has already started the rollout. The next phase is going to start soon, under which more self-help groups will receive drones and special training. Our objective is to ensure that women not only adopt advanced farming techniques but also earn sustainable income by providing modern spraying and fertilizer application services in villages.
Finally, what is your long-term vision for Haryana beyond 2025?
Our mission is to contribute meaningfully to PM Modi’s goal of making India a developed nation by 2047. We see Haryana as the “non-stop vitality” of Vikas Bharat (Developed India) – globally competitive, inclusive and sustainable. Our growth rests on six pillars: sustainable finance, future-focused education, skills and employment, healthcare, agriculture, smart infrastructure and balanced regional development. In a sentence, Haryana will be a state where youth will lead, women will lead and development will benefit every citizen – without stopping and without any discrimination.
