CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Cabinet convened on Tuesday to approve multiple initiatives focused on enhancing affordable housing, stimulating industrial growth, enhancing governance, reinforcing welfare programs, and fostering electric mobility.
In a significant step for beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban 2.0, the Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, sanctioned a notable reduction in stamp duty and registration fees for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) beneficiaries looking to buy eligible homes of up to 60 square metres.
Under this decision, eligible beneficiaries will only pay Rs 500 for stamp duty and another Rs 500 for registration per property deed. Currently, the stamp duty is set at 5% plus an additional 2% while registration fees vary based on a slab system.
The government highlighted that this initiative would alleviate the financial load on beneficiaries and support the “Housing for All” initiative.
The Cabinet also sanctioned a Bill to establish Kusum International University in Rewari through an amendment to the Haryana Private Universities Act of 2006. This university aims to increase higher education capacity, contributing towards the National Education Policy 2020 goal of a 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio.
To enhance financial accountability, the Cabinet approved the draft Haryana Local Audit Bill 2026, which lays out a statutory framework for independent audits of local bodies and public institutions.
This Bill grants the Local Audit Department the authority to issue surcharge notices, request records, and submit audit reports to the State Legislature within specified timelines.
The government also introduced the Haryana Progressive MSME and Export Promotion Policy 2026, touted as the most comprehensive policy for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the state. It encompasses 60 initiatives aimed at attracting Rs 55,000 crore in manufacturing investments, generating over five lakh jobs, and doubling state exports within five years. Benefits include capital and interest subsidies, credit assistance, export support, common infrastructure, technology adoption, and sustainability measures.
The Cabinet has approved a compensation of Rs 7.5 lakh for the legal heirs of individuals who die from unnatural causes while in police custody, including torture, suicide, clashes among detainees, or police negligence. However, compensation will not be provided for natural deaths, illnesses, escape attempts, or natural disasters. In cases of torture, at least half of the compensation will be recovered from the salaries of the responsible police officials.
Additionally, the Cabinet extended a 20% horizontal reservation for Haryana domicile ex-Agniveers in recruitment for positions such as Fire Operator-cum-Driver, Wildlife Guard, Constable in the Indian Reserve Battalion, and State Disaster Response Force, thereby creating employment opportunities leveraging skills acquired during military service.
The Cabinet also approved guidelines under the Haryana Abadi Deh (Vesting, Recording, and Resolving of Ownership Rights) Act of 2025 to establish legal ownership records for properties in Lal Dora areas, ensuring a clear process for determining ownership and resolving disputes.
To enhance revenue administration, the Cabinet made amendments to the Haryana Revenue Patwaris Service Rules, reducing the mandatory training duration from 18 months to one year, and now providing trainee Patwaris with a regular salary instead of a stipend. Their pay scale will also be raised post-training completion.
The Cabinet approved modifications to the Health Department service rules, establishing 22 Senior Radiology Officer positions and redesignating Radiographers as Radiology Officers. To encourage vehicle ownership among women, a 1% rebate in motor vehicle tax will be offered for non-transport vehicles priced up to Rs 20 lakh registered in women’s names.
To support clean transportation, the Cabinet approved a 100% exemption from motor vehicle tax for new electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers under Rs 30 lakh. Vehicles over this amount will receive a 50% tax exemption, while the existing 20% rebate for CNG vehicles will remain in effect.
The Cabinet also endorsed the Haryana State Commission for Minorities Bill, 2026 to establish a statutory body for the protection of minority rights and welfare. Furthermore, it relaxed compassionate appointment policies, allowing three Haryana domicile dependents of martyred Armed Forces and CAPF personnel, who were minors at the time of their parents’ deaths, to be eligible for Group-C government jobs once they reach adulthood.
Finally, the Cabinet provided in-principle approval for a formula-based property tax assessment system for urban local bodies, superseding the previous 2013 criteria and making property tax assessment more transparent and uniform, with exemptions for religious institutions, government schools, hospitals, agricultural properties, and more.
