Chandigarh: Keeping pace with the sentiments of the Union Budget on the health and infrastructure development, the Haryana cabinet led by chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday also focused on strengthening the infrastructure and healthcare systems across the state.In a major decision, the state cabinet approved a special policy for nursing homes in residential colonies and sectors, regular infrastructure for unapproved industrial clusters, and issues related to the re-alignment of licence fees for private colonisers.The cabinet approved a comprehensive policy for establishing nursing homes in licensed residential plot colonies across the state to address existing healthcare deficiencies in the residential areas and ensure that residents have access to essential medical services near their homes.Under the policy, permission to establish nursing homes on residential plots in licensed colonies across the state will be granted only after payment of necessary conversion charges.Such permission will be given only on residential plots owned by qualified doctors (allopathic/AYUSH), who have a valid registration number with the Medical Council or AYUSH Council, are currently practising, and are registered with the local branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). They will be required to submit an affidavit in this regard along with the application.Nursing homes are essential for providing comprehensive medical, social, and personal care. With the growing elderly population and increasing demand for specialised services, their establishment in every sector becomes a necessity, said an official spokesperson. While the 2018 guidelines provide for two nursing homes of 1,000 square metres per 50 acres, reducing the area norms from 100 to 25 acres for colonies with residential plots, even in hyper-potential zones, made the allocation difficult.After considering the demand of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and detailed deliberations, the state cabinet approved the policy allowing nursing homes on residential plots in licensed colonies in residential zones, as per approved development plans, said the spokesperson.Changes in feesThe cabinet approval was given to a proposal by the town and country planning department for amendments to various statutory fees and charges prescribed under the Haryana Urban Areas Development and Regulation Rules, 1976, and the Haryana Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Rules, 1965.The Saini cabinet’s decision paves the way for amendments to the relevant schedules of both rules to rationalise and update the existing fee structure in line with current economic conditions and urban development needs.The approved proposal includes amendments to scrutiny fees, licence fees, State Infrastructure Development Charge (SIDC), Infrastructure Augmentation Charge (IAC), and IAC-TOD under the Haryana Urban Areas Development and Regulation Rules, 1976.Additionally, changes were also made to examination fees and conversion charges under the Haryana Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development Rules, 1965.Amendment to promotion rulesNayab Singh Saini-led cabinet also approved amendments to the Haryana Enterprise Promotion Rules 2016. Now, joint director/deputy director, district MSME centre, will be included as a member of the district level clearance committee (DLCC).The state govt enacted the Haryana Enterprises Promotion Act, 2016, and related rules to create an ecosystem for ease of doing business in the state. Also, it should be equal to good standards. This was done to reduce any kind of delay and cost in doing business in the state.The Haryana Enterprise Promotion Board (HEPB) was constituted under Section 3 of the Haryana Enterprises Promotion Act, 2016. The empowered executive committee (EEC) was constituted under Section 4 of the said Act, and the district level clearance committee (DLCC) was constituted in every district of the state as per the provisions of Section 8 of the said Act.Amendments to HEEP-2020The Haryana cabinet approved significant amendments to the Haryana Enterprise and Employment Policy (HEEP) – 2020 and related 16 incentive schemes. The decision is a significant step towards facilitating existing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the state.The decision is in line with the announcement made by the CM in Budget 2025-26 and aims to address the long-standing practical challenges of industrial units operating outside notified industrial areas, said the spokesperson.The cabinet further approved the provision of exemption from Change of Land Use (CLU)/No Objection Certificate (NOC) for existing industrial units meeting prescribed conditions.Under the arrangement, at least 50 entrepreneurs whose industrial units are located on a minimum of 10 acres of contiguous land can collectively apply for regularisation through a designated govt portal. Such units should have commenced commercial production before Jan 1, 2021. Until a final decision is taken on the application, these units will be temporarily considered regular for the purpose of availing benefits of various govt schemes.The state also approved an amendment to Section 14.14 of the HEEP-2020, under which eligible existing MSME clusters, in addition to rural micro enterprises operating under the Haryana Rural Industrial Development Scheme, can also be explicitly provided the benefit of CLU/NOC exemption.Additionally, the cabinet approved necessary amendments to 16 major incentive schemes operating under the HEEP-2020 with an aim of eliminating the mandatory CLU/NOC condition for existing MSMEs. Those that commenced production after Jan 1, 2021, and before Dec 31, 2025, will be placed in the category of new micro enterprise.Group D recruitmentThe Saini cabinet approved amendments to the Second Schedule of the Haryana Group D Employees (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2018, in accordance with recent judicial decisions.Notably, the earlier provision of 5% weightage for socio-economic criteria in the selection of Group D employees was struck down by the Supreme Court as well as the Punjab and Haryana high court in related cases.In view of these decisions and to ensure legal continuity and avoid future litigation, it became necessary to amend the Second Schedule of the Act. Accordingly, the cabinet approved replacing the existing Second Schedule under Section 26 of the Act.As per the revised criteria, selection for Group D posts (except posts where the minimum qualification is less than matriculation) will be entirely based on the Common Eligibility Test (CET), with CET marks being given 100% weightage.MSID:: 127866750 413 |
