Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], January 28 (HBTV): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has said that India has witnessed a decisive and positive transformation over the past eleven years under transparent governance, citizen-centric policies, and effective implementation of welfare initiatives led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said the most significant outcome of this period has been the restoration of public trust, with citizens increasingly feeling that the government truly belongs to them. He added that this sense of ownership and confidence among the people represents the true and lasting meaning of good governance.
The Chief Minister was addressing a programme organised in Panchkula, where he said public expectations have evolved significantly, with citizens now demanding accountability, efficiency and long-term solutions that improve quality of life. He described this shift as a mature democratic transition towards performance-driven governance.
On the occasion, Yogi Adityanath launched the National Education Evaluation and Validation (NEEV) Portal, which has been designed to strengthen the implementation of the National Education Policy through continuous evaluation and data-based monitoring, according to an official release.
In the presence of the Chief Minister, Memoranda of Understanding were also signed under the Gyan Setu initiative between the Golden Jubilee Haryana Institute for Fiscal Management and various universities to promote academic collaboration, research integration and institutional capacity building.
Nayab Singh Saini said the initiatives unveiled marked a defining moment in Haryana’s education reforms, with the objective of building an education ecosystem that goes beyond conventional degrees and focuses on skills, innovation and employability. Referring to the Vision Document-2047, launched in alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, he said Haryana is positioning education as a central pillar of long-term development.
The Chief Minister said the National Education Policy reflects a forward-looking framework that integrates knowledge with practical skills, enabling youth to become self-reliant and economically productive. He added that the MoUs signed under the Gyan Setu initiative will ensure that academic research and institutional expertise are aligned with governance priorities and societal needs.
Highlighting a major policy milestone, he said the state budget has provided INR 20 crore for research for the first time, signalling the government’s commitment to strengthening research and innovation across higher education institutions. He emphasised that universities should focus on problem-driven research addressing challenges such as waterlogging, environmental sustainability and urban infrastructure, contributing directly to policy formulation and development planning.
The Chief Minister said that since 2014, governance in India has shifted towards inclusive and outcome-oriented welfare delivery. He referred to initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat-Chirayu, Har Ghar Nal Se Jal, Mhara Gaon-Jagmag Gaon and the Ujjwala Yojana, saying these programmes have expanded access to healthcare, drinking water, electricity and clean cooking fuel, reduced daily hardships and enhanced citizens’ dignity and well-being.
Nayab Singh Saini said India’s economic progress reflects the success of sustained reforms, with the country emerging as the world’s fourth-largest economy and moving steadily towards becoming the third-largest. He added that this growth must be supported by strong institutions, skilled human capital and innovation-led development.
The Chief Minister said an AI-based pre-budget feedback portal has recently been launched to enable citizens, students and stakeholders to share suggestions during the budget formulation process. He added that greater public participation would result in more inclusive and effective policy decisions.
Addressing agricultural reforms, he said the government is encouraging farmers to adopt crop diversification and modern horticulture practices to enhance income while protecting environmental health. He referred to the promotion of natural farming, reduced chemical usage, establishment of Centres of Excellence and development of export-oriented infrastructure, highlighting the ultra-modern horticulture market being developed at Ganaur as a key initiative.
During an interaction with Vice-Chancellors, the Chief Minister urged universities to design skill-based training programmes aligned with industry requirements. He suggested developing a digital platform through which industries can post workforce needs, enabling institutions to tailor academic and training modules and improve employment outcomes.
Earlier, Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi said universities must play a pivotal role in achieving the objectives of the Haryana Vision Document-2047, particularly in transitioning the state towards a strong manufacturing and services economy. He referred to the creation of the Haryana State Research Fund with an allocation of INR 20 crore to support research and innovation.
Additional Chief Secretary, Education Department, Vineet Garg stressed the importance of introducing new-age courses in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors, aligned with industry demand. He also highlighted the importance of resource sharing among institutions and said government colleges are being developed in line with NEP-2020 standards.
OSD to the Chief Minister and Director General of the Haryana Institute for Fiscal Management, Dr Raj Nehru, said the NEEV Portal has been developed to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of NEP-2020 implementation. He said the portal will facilitate phased data submission by schools, colleges and universities, enabling evidence-based planning and informed policy decisions.