Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday laid out a broad vision for regional growth, advocating stronger industrial ties between Haryana and Punjab, tech-driven agricultural innovations to boost farm incomes, and honouring the sacrifices of freedom fighters.Addressing the foundation stone ceremony of a new plant of a Patiala-based manufacturer in Daulatpur, Saini called upon industrialists of both states to deepen cooperation across skill development, technology, and trade.Highlighting the theme ‘Making India Stronger Through Manufacturing’, Saini stressed that expanding domestic production and empowering youth with market-driven skills directly advances the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat-2047’.He emphasised that the economic ecosystems of both states are deeply intertwined, noting that industrial expansion in one state naturally generates employment and trade opportunities for the other.CM addresses CII’s closing sessionThe CM later addressed the closing session of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) 5th ‘Innovative Farmers’ Meet’ at Ladwa in Kurukshetra.Inspecting an exhibition of modern agricultural machinery, Saini said: “The success of any agricultural technology must reflect in the farmer’s account book.“ He urged farmers to adopt micro-irrigation, direct seeding of rice, and scientific soil testing to mitigate water scarcity and soil degradation.To make high-end machinery accessible to small landholders, he advocated setting up custom hiring centres, cooperative machinery banks, and local skill training for rural youth in farm-equipment maintenance. He also highlighted state initiatives, including a 75% subsidy on solar pumps under the PM-KUSUM scheme and Rs 907 crore disbursed in subsidies to 10 lakh farmers for paddy stubble management.Earlier in the day, Saini paid floral tributes to Rao Tula Ram, a leading figure of the 1857 First War of Independence, marking Haryana Veer and Shaheedi Diwas in Chandigarh. Recalling the martyr’s fierce resistance against British rule in south-western Haryana, the CM remarked that Rao Tula Ram’s legacy of courage and self-sacrifice serves as a timeless inspiration for the youth to contribute actively to nation-building and uphold the country’s unity and integrity.
