Five-day programmes on protected cultivation, mushroom production, organic farming, nursery management and fruit production to be organised at Sundrah centre
KURUKSHETRA | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
The Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has announced a series of free five-day training programmes for farmers during 2026-27 to encourage the adoption of modern and scientific farming practices and promote diversification towards high-value horticultural crops.
Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena said the Horticulture Department would organise the training programmes at the Integrated Horticulture Development Centre, Sundrah, Mahendragarh. The initiative is aimed at providing farmers and young people with practical knowledge of modern horticulture techniques and helping them explore alternative sources of agricultural income.
Meena said the government and Agriculture Department were focusing on encouraging farmers to supplement traditional crops with high-value horticultural crops, organic farming and protected cultivation. Such diversification, he said, could contribute to sustainable growth in farm income while also improving farmers’ technical skills.
The training calendar covers several specialised areas of horticulture. A five-day programme on protected cultivation of vegetables will be organised from December 14 to 18, 2026. The programme will familiarise participants with techniques associated with cultivating vegetables under protected conditions and help them understand modern approaches to horticultural production.
Three separate five-day training programmes on mushroom production and related techniques will be organised during the year. The first programme is scheduled from September 14 to 18, 2026, followed by programmes from October 5 to 9 and November 2 to 6, 2026. The department plans to provide intensive practical training so that participants can understand the production process and associated techniques.
A separate training programme on organic cultivation of horticultural crops will be conducted from October 12 to 16, 2026. The programme will focus on organic approaches to horticultural production and is intended to familiarise farmers with cultivation practices that can be adopted in suitable farming conditions.
Training on open-field production of horticultural crops will also be conducted in two batches. The first five-day session will be held from November 16 to 20, 2026, while the second will take place from December 7 to 11, 2026.
The department has also placed special emphasis on nursery management and skill development. Meena said special training modules had been prepared under the Haryana Horticulture Nursery Rules, 2026, with the objective of helping farmers and young people develop the skills required to manage nurseries and become more self-reliant.
Five nursery management training programmes have been scheduled. The first will be held from November 30 to December 4, 2026, followed by sessions from December 28, 2026 to January 1, 2027; January 18 to 22, 2027; February 1 to 5, 2027; and February 15 to 19, 2027.
In addition, a five-day programme on planting new orchards and fruit production techniques will be organised from January 4 to 8, 2027. The programme is intended to provide participants with practical knowledge related to establishing new orchards and improving fruit production practices.
The Deputy Commissioner said the training initiative was particularly relevant for farmers looking to diversify their agricultural activities. Horticulture offers opportunities in areas such as vegetable cultivation, mushroom production, nursery management and fruit production, and specialised training can help farmers make informed decisions before adopting new activities.
Farmers between 18 and 60 years of age from the district can apply online for the training programmes through the designated Horticulture Department portal. Applicants have been advised to complete the registration process within the stipulated period.
Each training batch will have 20 seats. Selection will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, making timely registration important for interested farmers and young participants.
The administration has also clarified that there will be no overnight accommodation for participants during the training programmes. Selected candidates will have to submit photocopies of their Aadhaar card and Parivar Pehchan Patra on the first day of training.
The documentation requirement has been specified to facilitate verification of selected participants and ensure that the training opportunity reaches eligible applicants. Farmers have therefore been advised to keep the required documents ready before attending the programme.
Meena appealed to farmers and young people interested in horticulture to take advantage of the training opportunities and develop practical skills in emerging areas of agricultural production. He said timely adoption of scientific techniques and proper technical knowledge could help farmers explore new opportunities and strengthen their agricultural activities.
The training programmes also reflect the department’s focus on skill-based agricultural development. Instead of relying exclusively on conventional cropping patterns, farmers are being encouraged to examine opportunities in horticulture and related activities according to local conditions and their individual resources.
Those seeking further information regarding the training schedule, eligibility or registration process can contact Training In-charge Dr Mukesh Shivran at 9983414484 or 8076830135.
The administration has urged eligible farmers to register at the earliest, particularly because each batch has only 20 seats and admission will be based on the first-come, first-served principle.
Through the series of specialised training programmes, the Horticulture Department aims to strengthen farmers’ technical knowledge, encourage agricultural diversification and create greater awareness about modern horticultural practices. The initiative is expected to provide participants with practical exposure in protected cultivation, mushroom production, organic farming, nursery management, open-field horticulture and orchard development.
Kurukshetra Invites Applications for Guru Nanak Dev Birth Anniversary Pilgrimage to Pakistan
Devotees and groups from Kurukshetra district wishing to visit Sikh shrines in Pakistan on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev have been invited to register their applications at the district level.
Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena said the pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from November 22 to December 1, 2026. Applications are being invited in accordance with government directions from devotees, travellers and groups who wish to undertake the pilgrimage during the specified period.
Meena said interested devotees and groups must submit their duly completed application forms along with the required documents to the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Kurukshetra, by September 12, 2026.
The applications received at the district level will subsequently be forwarded by the Deputy Commissioner’s office to the government for further processing, he said.
The pilgrimage coincides with the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and provides devotees an opportunity to visit important Sikh religious sites located in Pakistan. The district administration has therefore urged interested residents to complete the application process within the prescribed deadline.
The Deputy Commissioner said applicants should ensure that their forms are properly filled in and accompanied by all required documents before submission. Timely submission will enable the administration to process the applications and forward them to the government as required.
The registration process is open to individual devotees as well as groups intending to travel for the pilgrimage. Those interested have been advised to contact the designated committee and obtain the relevant application details before submitting their forms.
The administration’s announcement is particularly relevant for devotees planning to visit Sikh shrines during the annual pilgrimage period associated with Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary. Such religious journeys involve advance administrative and documentation procedures, making timely registration essential.
Meena appealed to all eligible devotees and groups who wish to participate in the pilgrimage to make use of the opportunity and submit their applications without waiting for the last date.
Officials have also advised applicants to carefully check the required documentation and ensure that the information provided in the application is complete and accurate. Applications submitted through the district-level process will be forwarded by the Deputy Commissioner’s office to the government in accordance with the applicable procedure.
The district administration said it would facilitate the application process at the designated level and ensure that the applications received within the stipulated period are processed for onward submission.
The pilgrimage programme is scheduled to run for 10 days, from November 22 to December 1, 2026, and devotees intending to participate have been urged to begin the necessary formalities well in advance.
The administration has reiterated that the last date for submitting applications to the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Kurukshetra, is September 12, 2026.
Devotees and groups who wish to undertake the pilgrimage should therefore ensure that their completed application forms and required documents are submitted before the deadline so that their requests can be considered through the prescribed government process.
The district administration’s initiative is aimed at facilitating eligible residents who wish to participate in the pilgrimage and visit Sikh religious sites in Pakistan on the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary.
Lado Lakshmi Scheme Income Limit Raised to ₹1.80 Lakh; Eligible Women to Get ₹2,100 Monthly
The Haryana government has decided to expand the eligibility criteria of the Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Scheme, aimed at providing greater economic support and strengthening the financial independence of women from eligible families.
Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena said the annual family income limit for eligibility under the scheme, which was earlier fixed at ₹1 lakh, is now being increased to ₹1.80 lakh. The decision is expected to bring more eligible women within the ambit of the scheme.
Meena said the scheme has been introduced with the objective of economically empowering women and strengthening their role in household financial decision-making. Eligible women will receive ₹2,100 per month as financial assistance under the scheme.
Clarifying a concern reportedly held by some members of the public, the Deputy Commissioner said women who register for or receive benefits under the Lado Lakshmi Scheme would not be deprived of benefits available under other government schemes.
He said there was a misconception that registration under the Lado Lakshmi Scheme could lead to the discontinuation of other pension or welfare benefits received by women. He made it clear that such a concern was unfounded and that eligible women would continue to receive benefits under other applicable government schemes as before.
The decision to raise the income ceiling to ₹1.80 lakh is intended to expand the scheme’s reach. Families whose annual income falls within the revised limit will be able to have eligible women considered for the scheme once the registration process opens under the revised criteria.
Meena said the government would open the registration portal for the expanded eligibility criteria soon. Eligible women have been advised to register once the portal becomes operational and complete the process according to the prescribed requirements.
The Deputy Commissioner said the Lado Lakshmi Scheme should not be viewed merely as a financial assistance programme. Its broader objective is to provide women with greater economic security, strengthen their confidence and promote self-reliance.
He said financial resources available directly to women can strengthen their confidence and enable them to participate more effectively in decisions concerning the economic affairs of their families. Women’s economic empowerment can also contribute to the broader social and financial progress of households.
According to the administration, the scheme seeks to provide direct support to women from economically weaker families and help them gain greater financial independence.
Meena said women play an important role in the economic stability of a family. When women have access to financial resources of their own, they can contribute more effectively to household needs and participate in important financial decisions.
The revised income criterion is also intended to ensure that the benefits reach a larger section of eligible women. By increasing the annual family income limit from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.80 lakh, the government has sought to expand the potential beneficiary base.
Eligible women have therefore been encouraged to remain alert for the opening of the registration portal and complete their applications promptly after registration begins.
The administration has also reiterated that registration for the Lado Lakshmi Scheme will not automatically affect a woman’s eligibility for other government benefits. Women who qualify for other schemes will continue to receive those benefits subject to the respective eligibility conditions.
Meena appealed to eligible women and their families not to be misled by rumours concerning the scheme. He emphasised that the revised programme is intended to provide additional economic support rather than replace other eligible government assistance.
The monthly assistance of ₹2,100 is expected to provide women with a regular source of financial support and strengthen their ability to meet personal and household requirements.
The government has described the initiative as part of its broader approach towards women’s empowerment. The focus is not only on immediate financial assistance but also on strengthening women’s economic independence and participation in family decision-making.
The administration said the revised eligibility criteria would allow more women to benefit from the programme once the registration portal is opened. Eligible applicants have been urged to use the official registration process and provide accurate information while applying.
Meena said the larger objective was to create conditions in which economically vulnerable women could become more financially secure and self-reliant. He stressed that stronger women contribute to stronger families and, in turn, to stronger communities and the state.
Women eligible under the revised income criterion should therefore watch for the opening of the registration portal and complete the application process at the earliest after it becomes available.
HBSE Waives Notary-Attested Affidavit Requirement for Class 10 and 12 Direct Admissions
The Haryana Board of School Education has introduced a significant change in the admission process for students seeking school transfer or direct admission in Classes 10 and 12 during the 2026-27 academic session, making the procedure more student-friendly.
Board Chairman Shankar Lal Dhoopar said students’ parents will now be exempted from obtaining a notary-attested affidavit for permission for direct admission in Classes 10 and 12 following a school transfer.
The decision has been taken with the objective of simplifying the admission procedure and reducing the documentation burden on students and their families.
Dhoopar said that under the existing process, schools seeking permission for direct admission after a school transfer were required to upload relevant student documents through the link available on the Board’s website. The Board has now modified the procedure by removing the requirement for a notary-attested parental affidavit.
Concerned schools must continue to log in through the designated link available on the Board’s website and upload the required documents relating to students seeking direct admission following a school transfer.
However, the Board has clarified that the relaxation applies specifically to the parental affidavit requirement. All other prescribed documents must continue to be uploaded according to the existing procedure.
Schools therefore need to ensure that all remaining documents are complete and submitted through the Board portal while processing applications for eligible students.
The Board’s decision is intended to make the procedure easier for students and parents who need to change schools or seek direct admission in Classes 10 and 12 under the applicable rules.
The removal of the notary requirement is expected to reduce an additional procedural step for families and simplify the process of submitting applications to the Board through schools.
Dhoopar said the decision had been taken in the interest of students and to make the admission process more convenient. Schools have been directed to follow the revised procedure while continuing to comply with all other Board requirements.
Under the revised system, there will be no need for schools to upload the notary-attested affidavit on the Board portal. This will eliminate the requirement of obtaining notarisation for that particular document.
At the same time, the Board has made it clear that the relaxation should not be interpreted as a general waiver of documentation. Schools must continue to submit all other required records and documents for students seeking permission for direct admission.
The change applies to the admission process for the 2026-27 academic session and covers students in Classes 10 and 12 who are seeking direct admission following a school transfer, subject to the Board’s applicable rules.
Schools have been advised to carefully follow the updated instructions while submitting applications. Ensuring that all remaining documents are uploaded correctly will continue to be the responsibility of the concerned schools.
The Board’s decision is part of an effort to make administrative procedures more student-friendly while retaining the necessary documentation and verification mechanisms.
For parents, the removal of the notary-attested affidavit requirement means one less formal step in the admission process. Schools can now process such applications without asking parents to obtain the affidavit specifically for uploading to the Board portal.
However, applicants should continue to comply with all other eligibility requirements and documentation conditions prescribed by the Board. The relaxation does not alter any other admission requirement.
Dhoopar said the revised process should be followed by all concerned schools while dealing with applications for school transfer and direct admission in Classes 10 and 12.
The Haryana Board of School Education has therefore asked schools to use the updated process and ensure that the remaining mandatory documents are uploaded as required.
The move is expected to make the admission process more convenient for students and their parents while enabling schools to complete Board-related formalities with fewer procedural hurdles.
POD/DESK
