Haryana Cabinet Approves Rs 1 Crore Ex-Gratia for Agniveers Killed in Combat

The Haryana Cabinet today approved a Rs 1 crore ex-gratia grant for families of Agniveers killed in combat operations. Agniveers are on same level with regular defense and paramilitary personnel in context of death benefits.

The Cabinet meeting, which addressed several key issues, also doubled the reservation quota for Agniveers in police recruitment from 10 to 20 percent, potentially enhancing post-service career prospects for these short-term military recruits. 

Haryana has a significant participation in the Agnipath Scheme since it began with 1,830 Agniveers selected in 2022-23, followed by 2,215 in 2023-24, and 2,108 in the current year. The first batch of Agniveers is expected to complete their service and transition to normal life in 2026-27. The Cabinet also approved financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh and a government job for an eligible family member of Lt Vinay Narwal, who lost his life during a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. In a separate decision, the government allotted a 200-square-yard plot in Faridabad's Atali village to Geeta, widow of Naik Sandeep, who was martyred during an anti-terrorist operation in Pulwama in February 2019. 

In a major push toward technological advancement, the Cabinet greenlit the Haryana AI Development Project (HAIDP) with a substantial outlay of Rs 474.39 crore. This three-year initiative (2025-2028) will receive technical and financial support from the World Bank. The project includes establishing critical infrastructure such as the Global Artificial Intelligence Centre in Gurugram and the Haryana Advanced Computing Facility in Panchkula. Additionally, a Special Purpose Vehicle will be constituted for implementing externally aided projects. The Cabinet meeting also resulted in approval for full stamp duty exemption on land acquired for new cowsheds across the state. 

Modernizing administrative frameworks, the government approved the repeal of the colonial-era Municipal Account Code of 1930, replacing it with the Haryana Municipal Account Code, 2025.

Revenue and Disaster Management Department's proposal to amend the policy for fixing market rates of land received approval as well. The amendment will standardize payment practices, ensuring government entities pay landowners the same compensation regardless of whether the acquisition occurs under the Central Act. 

The Cabinet also launched a new cultural welfare scheme titled 'Pandit Lakhmi Chand Kalakar Samajik Samman Yojana.' Under this initiative, artists with an annual income below Rs 1.80 lakh as per their Parivar Pehchan Patra will receive Rs 10,000 monthly. Those with incomes between Rs 1.80 lakh and Rs 3 lakh will receive Rs 7,000 per month as honorarium.

These wide-ranging decisions reflect the government's focus on welfare measures for military personnel and their families, technological advancement, administrative reforms, and cultural preservation in the state.