Chandigarh, January 8: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday said that the last 11 years have witnessed a clear and positive transformation across the country, where people now feel that the government truly belongs to them. Describing this shift as the real meaning of good governance, the Chief Minister said citizens today expect visible, result-oriented work rather than routine political change.
The Chief Minister was addressing a programme in Panchkula, where he formally launched the National Education Evaluation and Validation (NEEV) Portal, a digital platform designed to ensure continuous assessment and effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. During the event, Memorandums of Understanding were also signed under the ‘Gyan Setu’ initiative between the Swarna Jayanti Haryana Institute for Fiscal Management and various universities.
Speaking on the occasion, Nayab Singh Saini said the day marked an important milestone in Haryana’s educational journey, as the state takes concrete steps to align its education and governance systems with future needs. He said the NEEV Portal will help translate policy intent into measurable outcomes by enabling transparent monitoring, real-time evaluation and data-driven decision-making across educational institutions.
The Chief Minister said the National Education Policy reflects the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s long-term vision of an education system that goes beyond degrees and focuses on skills, self-reliance and employability. He said education must equip young people with practical capabilities that allow them to earn a dignified livelihood and contribute meaningfully to the economy. He added that Haryana has a major responsibility to act as a growth engine for the country, and the agreements signed on Thursday will benefit students and youth in the coming years.
Highlighting a major budgetary decision, Nayab Singh Saini said that for the first time, the state budget has earmarked ₹20 crore specifically for research. He described this as a historic step aimed at encouraging universities to focus on research linked to real-world challenges. He said institutions should conduct in-depth studies on issues such as waterlogging and environmental stress to offer sustainable and practical solutions.
The Chief Minister said that since 2014, several issues that were earlier ignored have been addressed through focused policies and strong political will under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He said initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat-Chirayu have expanded healthcare coverage, the Har Ghar Nal Se Jal scheme has reduced hardships for rural women, the Mhara Gaon-Jagmag Gaon programme has ensured round-the-clock electricity in most villages, and the Ujjwala scheme has provided cooking gas connections to poor households. These initiatives, he said, have directly improved living standards and addressed long-standing basic needs.
Referring to India’s economic progress, the Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister had set a clear goal after 2014 to make India one of the world’s leading economies. He said India has already emerged as the fourth-largest economy and is steadily moving towards becoming the third-largest, reflecting the impact of consistent reforms and governance.
Nayab Singh Saini said the agreements signed under the Gyan Setu initiative aim to link the vision of a developed India with a developed Haryana, with research and innovation as key pillars. He said strengthening academic research will play a crucial role in shaping policies and supporting long-term development.
The Chief Minister also spoke about the recent launch of the AI-based pre-budget feedback portal, which allows citizens and stakeholders to submit suggestions. He said this initiative reflects the government’s belief that the budget should be shaped through public participation. He encouraged students and citizens to share constructive ideas, saying wider input will help the government take more effective decisions.
On agriculture, Nayab Singh Saini said the state government is encouraging farmers to move towards crop diversification and modern horticulture to increase income while protecting health and the environment. He said excessive use of chemical fertilisers and dependence on a single crop harms both soil and human health. To address this, the government is promoting natural farming, setting up centres of excellence and developing infrastructure to support exports. He cited the modern horticulture market being developed at Ganaur as a key initiative to help farmers secure better prices and market access.
During a special interaction session with vice-chancellors, the Chief Minister urged universities to focus on skill-based training aligned with industry requirements. He suggested developing a dedicated portal where industries can list their skill needs, allowing educational institutions to prepare students accordingly and improve employment outcomes.
Earlier, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi said Haryana’s universities should work in line with the Haryana Vision Document 2047 to support the state’s transition from an agriculture-based economy to a strong manufacturing and services hub. He highlighted the creation of the Haryana State Research Fund with an allocation of ₹20 crore to promote research and innovation in higher education institutions.
Additional Chief Secretary for Education Vineet Garg said universities and colleges should introduce new courses in areas such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors to meet emerging industry demands. He also stressed the importance of sharing resources among institutions and noted that government colleges have been established at intervals of 20 kilometres and are being developed in line with NEP 2020 standards.
OSD to the Chief Minister and Director General of the Haryana Institute of Fiscal Management, Dr Raj Nehru, said the NEEV Portal has been developed to ensure effective implementation of the National Education Policy and to position Haryana as a leading state in this effort. He said the portal has been created through collaboration between the institute and universities, and educational institutions across the state will upload data in a phased manner.
The Chief Minister said initiatives like the NEEV Portal and Gyan Setu will together help build a future-ready, inclusive and globally competitive education system in Haryana, strengthening the foundation for skills, innovation, employment and social progress.
