CHANDIGARH, May 6: The Haryana Cabinet has approved an ex-gratia grant of Rs 1 crore for the families of Agniveers who fall in battle, aligning their benefits with those already provided to families of defence and paramilitary personnel.
The decision marks a significant policy extension. “The state government had been providing Rs 1 crore to families of battle casualties in the defence and paramilitary forces. This benefit will now also cover Agniveers,” a government spokesperson said.
The Cabinet also approved a one-time cash award for Agniveers who receive gallantry or distinguished service awards. According to official data, 1,830 Agniveers were recruited from Haryana in 2022–23, 2,215 in 2023–24, and 2,108 in 2024–25. The first batch is scheduled to retire in 2026–27.
In a related move, the Cabinet doubled the reservation for Agniveers in police recruitment from 10% to 20%.
The Cabinet further cleared Rs 50 lakh in financial assistance and a government job to a family member of Lt Vinay Narwal, who was killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22.
Besides, a 200-square yard plot in Atali village, Faridabad, will be allotted to Geeta, the wife of Naik Sandeep, who died during an anti-terror operation in Pulwama on February 19, 2019.
AI Project, Stamp Duty Waiver for Cowsheds
The Cabinet gave the nod to the Haryana AI Development Project (HAIDP) for 2025–2028, with a financial outlay of Rs 474.39 crore. Backed by World Bank support, the project includes the creation of a Global Artificial Intelligence Centre in Gurugram and the Haryana Advanced Computing Facility in Panchkula.
To support religious and community welfare, the Cabinet approved the full waiver of stamp duty on land meant for the construction of new cowsheds.
Municipal Reforms and Land Rate Policy
Taking a step toward financial transparency, the Cabinet repealed the British-era Municipal Account Code of 1930.
It has been replaced by the Haryana Municipal Account Code, 2025, which will apply uniformly across all municipalities.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the state’s land valuation policy, aligning payments with compensation standards under the Central land acquisition law.
The changes apply to all government departments, panchayati raj institutions, boards, and corporations.
New Monthly Support Scheme for Artists
The Cabinet sanctioned a new welfare scheme, the Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana, aimed at supporting traditional artists.
Under the scheme, those with an annual income of up to Rs 1.80 lakh, as reflected in the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), will receive Rs 10,000 per month. Artists with income between Rs 1.80 lakh and Rs 3 lakh will be eligible for a monthly honorarium of Rs 7,000.
