Haryana

• 29 Nov 2023

Cancer PAtients in 'Third and Fourth Stage' will get Financial Assistance Similar to Old Age Respect Allowance

​Why In News?

On November 27, 2023, the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manohar Lal approved the proposal to provide monthly financial assistance to the 'third and fourth stage' patients of cancer disease on the lines of old age Samman allowance scheme. The scheme will come into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

Key Points:

• The financial assistance provided under this scheme will be in addition to the benefits being availed by the applicant under any other social security pension scheme.
• Under this scheme, eligible cancer patients will be provided monthly financial assistance of Rs 3000 from January 1, 2024, on the lines of old age honor allowance scheme.
• Cancer patients whose annual family income is less than Rs 3 lakh excluding the amount of other social security pension schemes will be eligible.
• The objective of this scheme is to reduce the financial burden faced by the 'third and fourth stage' patients of cancer. This scheme will be applicable for stage-3 and 4 cancer patients of all age groups in the state of Haryana.
• Under this, monthly financial assistance will be provided for the needs of serious cancer patients, living expenses, basic needs, medical expenses, indirect costs, OOPE etc.
• Under the scheme, the conditions of 'bonfied-residence' will be valid in the eligibility of the patient. Apart from this, the applicant should also have a family identity card.
• It may be noted that Chief Minister Manohar Lal had announced pensions for the third and fourth stage cancer patients during the inauguration of Atal Cancer Center Ambala Cantt on May 9, 2022.
• Cancer is a multifactorial disease, which is one of the leading causes of death in India. India records 13.24 lakh new cancer cases and about 8.51 lakh cancer-related deaths annually. Haryana reported an estimated 29,000 new cancer cases and 16,000 cancer deaths in the year 2020.
• About 64 percent of the patients in the third and fourth stages of cancer come from poor backgrounds. In such a situation, with the approval of this scheme by the Haryana Government, there will be a lot of relief from getting financial assistance to the 'third and fourth stage' patients of cancer disease.

Haryana Lump Sum Settlement Scheme 2023' Approved for Recovery of Outstanding Amount'

Why In News?

The Haryana Cabinet on November 27, 2023 approved a unique scheme called 'One-Time Management Scheme 2023' with an aim to expedite recovery of dues and reduce litigation in Haryana.

Key Points:

• It is noteworthy that the Chief Minister had announced in his budget speech that such a scheme would be brought under the dispute resolution scheme for recovery of dues.
• The scheme is designed to facilitate recovery of dues governed by various Acts of the Excise and Taxation Department in the Pre-GST system. The scheme will come into effect from the date of notification.
• The Acts covered under the scheme include the outstanding dues pertaining to seven Acts, namely, Haryana Value Added Tax Act, 2003, Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, Haryana Local Area Development Tax Act, 2000, Tax on Entry of Goods in Haryana Local Area Act, 2008, Haryana Happiness Means Tax Act, 2007, Punjab Entertainment Fee Act, 1955 and Haryana General Sales Tax Act, 1973.

Haryana Cabinet Approves Amendment in Communication and Connectivity Infrastructure Policy

Why In News?

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on November 27, 2023 approved amendments to the 'Communication and Connectivity Infrastructure Policy-2023' with an aim to increase the availability of high-quality technology and communication infrastructure to boost connectivity across the state.

Key Points:

• This new policy will replace the 'Communication and Connectivity Infrastructure Policy-2017' and will align with the revised Indian Telegraph Right of Way rules notified by the Union Ministry of Communications (Department of Telecommunications) in 2022.
• The cabinet decision encourages integration of cutting-edge technological advancements in the telecom sector, including innovative business models such as 'Fiber to the Home' (FTTH) and 'Open Access Network' (OAN), which separates physical access to networks from service delivery.
• The revised policy establishes a framework for building 5G enabled infrastructure through roadside ducts, allowing multiple service providers to share the same infrastructure to optimise 'Right of Way' (ROW) availability and prevent repeated disruptions caused by digging in ROWs by multiple infrastructure providers.
• Under the newly sanctioned schedule, if the nodal officer fails to grant permission or reject the application within 45 days (about 1 and a half months) from the date of submission of application, the permission will be deemed granted. The Deputy Commissioner of the concerned district will be the only contact person for all the approvals.
• Any telecom infrastructure and service provider registered or licensed with the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India or an infrastructure provider duly authorized by the licensee to lay communication and connectivity infrastructure is eligible to seek permission under this policy to establish, lay or provide connectivity infrastructure and communications in the State.

Gram Panchayats of Three Villages Got Approval to Sell Land for the Expansion of Panipat Refinery.

Why In News?

In the cabinet meeting held on November 27, 2023, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal, approval was given for the sale of 350.5 acres of panchayat land to Indian Oil Corporation Panipat Refinery and Petrochemical Complex Panipat to the Gram Panchayats of three villages for the expansion of the first phase of IOCL Panipat Refinery.

Key Points:

• IOCL will purchase 140 acres of 6 Kanal 12 Marla land of Asan Kalan village, 152 acres of 2 Kanal 15 Marla of Bal Jatan village and 57 acres of 2 kanal 19 marla land of Khandra village at market price of Rs 2.20 crore per acre.
• Apart from this, IOCL will also pay an amount of Rs 10 lakh per acre to gram panchayats for development works of these villages.
• The state-owned oil giant has set up its Panipat refinery and petrochemical complex in Panipat over an area of over 4,200 acres.
• IOCL had requested the Haryana government to provide about 600 acres of land for the expansion of the refinery, out of which 349 acres has been provided by the government.

7 Castes of Backward Class Block-A of the State Included in Haryana Scheduled Caste Category List.

Why In News?

In the cabinet meeting held on November 27, 2023 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal, it has been decided to include 7 castes namely Aheria, Aheri, Heri, Hari, Turi or Thori in the Backward Classes Block-A of Haryana State by removing them from serial number-1 and included them in the Haryana Scheduled Caste Category List.

Key Points:

• Apart from this, the 'Rai Sikh' caste mentioned on serial number 50 in the Haryana Backward Class Block-A list has also been removed and it has also been included in the Haryana Scheduled Caste category list.
• With this decision of the Haryana government, these castes will now get the benefit of scheduled caste category.
• Along with this, the word 'Jangam-Jogi' caste has been revised to 'Jangam' on serial number 31 in the Haryana Backward Class Block-A list.
• The Haryana government will send a written letter to the Central Government for inclusion of the 'Nayak' community of the state in the list of Scheduled Caste category. Further action will be taken in this regard as per the instructions of the Government of India.