News / Author / Pawan Sharma

Pawan Sharma

Pawan Sharma, based in Chandigarh, is Assistant Editor in HT and presently writes on Haryana's politics and governance. During different stints over the past two decades, he covered Punjab extensively for 10 years and before that judiciary and Himachal Pradesh with focus on high-impact news breaking and investigative journalism.

Articles by Pawan Sharma

Haryana assembly polls: Jat leader Dhankar is head of BJP manifesto panel

Haryana BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli, a Brahmin face of the party who represents Rai assembly segment of Sonepat district, said that BJP’s national secretary and former Cabinet minister Dhankar will head the 14-member manifesto committee and submit the “crucial document” at the earliest after incorporating views of every section of society.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday brought back former Haryana BJP chief Om Prakash Dhankar to the centerstage and appointed the powerful Jat community leader as the chairman of the panel that will draft the election manifesto of the saffron party for October 1 assembly election. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 20, 2024 08:18 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

‘Jai Hind’, not ‘good morning’, to be Haryana school greeting from August 15

According to the directorate of school education, the aim is to instill a sense of patriotism and national pride among students.

The government’s circular particularly emphasises nurturing a strong sense of national identity among students.

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 09, 2024 07:16 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Hit by Covid lockdown: About ₹3-crore rent waiver for contractors operating shops in Haryana bus stands

Following the representations from the affected contractors and the shopkeepers, the Haryana Cabinet on Monday approved the “waiver/adjustment/refund of rent scheme”. This policy aims at providing monetary relief to contractors and shopkeepers running businesses at Haryana roadways bus stands.

The Haryana government’s decision to waive four months’ rent for shops across bus stands of the State Roadways, impacted by the 2020 lockdown, is expected to benefit about 261 contractors, with the total rent waiver amounting to around <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>3 crore, it is learnt. (Representational image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Aug 07, 2024 08:02 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Haryana govt doctors call off strike after 3 key demands addressed

Govt agrees to remove grade pay anomalies, to notify specialist cadre at the earliest and to give allowance for visit to hospital at odd/off duty hours to deal with emergency.

Doctors raising slogans against the state government during the strike outside the civil hospital in Panchkula on Thursday. The doctors’ demands include the formation of a specialist cadre and a career progression scheme that ensures parity with their central government peers. (Sant Arora/HT file)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 27, 2024 01:18 PM IST

ByPawan Sharma

Talks end in stalemate; strike to continue: Assn

The HCMSA, which represents government doctors in the statement, is on the warpath against the government over non-fulfilment of their various demands

The doctors’ demands include reducing the bond amount for post graduate courses from current <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1 crore; a specialist cadre; amendment in service rules to stop direct recruitment of senior medical officers; assured career progression (ACP) and grant of allowances at par with central government doctors. (Sant Arora/HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 26, 2024 08:58 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Eyeing innovation, collaboration, ‘Shiksha Saptah’ in Haryana schools begins today

The aim of the exercise is to foster a spirit of collaboration and innovation among learners, educators, policymakers and stakeholders in the education sector.

Each day of the week under ‘Shiksha Saptah’ will feature a different theme, encouraging students to take up new challenges.

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 22, 2024 07:58 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

30% posts of all ranks vacant in Haryana Police

DGP has advised the state govt to approach Centre for deploying 225 companies of Central Armed Police Force to conduct “fair and peaceful” assembly elections

As 30% posts of constables are alone vacant, the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) has started a recruitment drive to appoint 5,000 male constables and the physical measurement tests started on July 16. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 20, 2024 06:26 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

BJP won’t allow BC quota to Muslims in Haryana: Amit Shah

“The Congress government gave reservation to Muslims in the backward class in Karnataka. If they come to power in Haryana, they will do the same here, ” said Amit Shah during an event in Mahendragarh district of Haryana

Union home minister Amit Shah and chief minister Nayab Singh Saini during an event in Mahendragarh, Haryana, on Tuesday. (Amit Shah-X)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 17, 2024 07:00 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Cong gave OBC quota to Muslims in K’taka, BJP won’t allow it in Haryana: Amit Shah

Addressing the state-level Backward Classes Samman Sammelan in Mahendragarh in Haryana, Union home minister says PM Modi ensured 27% reservation to community despite opposition from Congress

Union home minister and BJP leader Amit Shah addressing the Backward Class Samman Sammelan in Mahedragarh, Haryana, on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 16, 2024 04:25 PM IST

ByPawan Sharma

Ahead of Haryana assembly polls, BJP readies BC outreach plan

All eyes are on Tuesday’s state-level Backward Classes Samman Sammelan in Mahendergarh where the Union home minister will be the chief guest

Union home minister Amit Shah will visit Mahendergarh in Haryana on Tuesday to woo backward classes. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 16, 2024 07:32 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Dry weather becoming a hurdle for direct seeded rice cultivation in Haryana

Under ₹4,000 per acre incentive driven policy, about 96,000- acre land registered against target of 3 lakh acre so far

Basmati rice can be grown as DSR under un-puddle conditions as it helps in saving soil and water resources along with less dependence on labour. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jul 06, 2024 06:04 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Haryana not to impose monthly minimum charge on domestic power consumers

Currently, ₹115 on per kilowatt load is charged per month; decision to come into force from next billing cycle and benefit domestic consumers in urban and rural areas

The electricity distribution companies levy the MMC on consumers where the electricity consumption per billing cycle is below a specified limit. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 14, 2024 07:56 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Haryana ex-CM Khattar begins new innings as Union minister

The 70-year-old and the Delhi University graduate had entered the electoral politics in Haryana in October 2014 when the BJP dethroned the Congress in assembly election

Karnal BJP MP Manohar Lal Khattar takes oath as minister during the swearing-in ceremony of new Union government, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 10, 2024 06:16 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

12% dip in BJP vote share in Haryana; Congress registers 15% rise

The BJP’s vote share in October 2019 assembly election was 36.49% when the party could not cross the halfway mark in the 90-member assembly and formed the government after stitching a post-poll alliance with the JJP.

Despite a drubbing at the hustings and its tally coming down to five seats from 10 in 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) vote share in Haryana Lok Sabha elections stayed 3 % ahead of the principal Opposition party, the Congress. (Representational image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 09:14 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Deepender, Selja, Khattar emerge biggest winners in Haryana

Deepender avenged his 2019 defeat at the hands of BJP’s Dr Arvind Kumar Sharma and trounced the BJP nominee by 3,45,298 votes, the highest victory margin in the state. In Sirsa (reserve seat), Kumari Selja put on the mat BJP’s Ashok Tanwar by 2,68,497 votes. Tanwar is a former Congressman who remained Haryana Congress president also.

When Congress fielded Rajya Sabha member Deepender Singh Hooda from the Rohtak Lok Sabha seat again and sent former Union minister Kumari Selja to contest Lok Sabha election from Sirsa, the faction-ridden Haryana Congress was unanimous about the bright prospects of the party in these two seats. (Representational image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jun 05, 2024 09:06 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Summer break fun: Haryana rolls out home task to make primary kids NIPUN

After summer break tiny-tots to rattle off Aadhaar and phone numbers, names of MP, MLA, CM and governor; students advised to massage feet of dada-dadi, nana-nani and in return the grandparents to regale them with stories

When Class 3 to 5 students of Haryana government schools will return to their classrooms on July 1, a month after the summer break that began on Tuesday, they may rattle off not only their own 12-digit Aadhaar number but also of the members of their family. (Courtesy: Haryana Government)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 29, 2024 07:04 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

State of parties: BJP banks on Modi to sail through in Haryana

Summer slugfest will set tone for assembly elections due by October. Despite organisational muscle and well-oiled cadre, state unit wrestles with anti-incumbency and accusation of disconnect from ground realities.

Notwithstanding the claims of former chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Karnal, that the party will retain its 2019 score of 10/10, the party is pulling out all stops to ensure it manages at least its 2014 tally of seven seats. (ANI File)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 18, 2024 05:42 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma

Ambala | Congress challenger sets sight on BJP stronghold

The embattled BJP, facing a palpable anti-incumbency, has fielded Banto Devi Kataria, 59, the wife of late MP Rattan Lal Kataria who won from the seat thrice – in 1999, 2014, 2019.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is pulling out all stops to retain the seat, the Congress, with its united face, is giving it jitters. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on May 17, 2024 07:22 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Ambala

Haryana directs pvt schools to submit self certified affidavits about drivers, buses by today

Underscoring the urgency of “timely supervision” of the September 15, 2017 school safety instructions, the education department on Friday DEOs, DEEOs and all BEOs to obtain a self-certified undertaking from all schools in Haryana

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 13, 2024 09:24 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Vigilant voters keeping EC on toes

The poll body has received nearly 1,400 complaints so far with 90% poll violation reports turning true. Drugs, cash etc worth ₹15 crore seized so far, even as during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls total quantity of drugs and cash seized was ₹18 crore

The mobile application--c-Vigil, acts as the third eye of the Election Commission (EC). (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 11, 2024 06:50 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Boxer Vijender Singh joins BJP

Beijing Olympics boxing bronze medallist Vijender Singh, who hails from Bhiwani in Haryana and took political plunge in April 2019 to contest Lok Sabha election unsuccessfully from South Delhi as Congress candidate, joined the BJP on Wednesday and described the decision to come under the saffron fold as “ghar wapasi.”

Boxer and former Congress leader Vijender Singh being greeted by BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri as he joins the party ahead of Lok Sabha elections, at BJP HQ in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 04, 2024 07:06 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Naveen Jindal, Ranjit Chautala join BJP, get ticket from Kurukshetra, Hisar

In yet another surprise, the BJP fielded Ranjit Singh Chautala, an Independent MLA from Rania segment and a cabinet minister in Haryana, from Hisar, also within hours of inducting him into the BJP fold in Sirsa on Sunday

Former Congress MP Naveen Jindal will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Kurukshetra on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, the party announced hours after the industrialist-turned-two-term MP joined the fold in New Delhi on Sunday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 25, 2024 06:56 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Wheat procurement : Haryana to set up round-the-clock nakas in border districts

Ahead of the massive wheat procurement season starting from April 1 across 417 purchase centres, Haryana’s food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department on Friday requested the DGP to set up round-the-clock nakas in all the border districts and instructed DCs “to closely monitor procurement operations” to ensure seamless arrival, purchase and lifting of foodgrains.

To deal with this problem, additional chief secretary (ACS-food, civil supplies and consumer affairs) Sumita Misra on Friday requested DGP Shatrujeet Kapur to direct all the superintendents of police to set up round-the-clock nakas in all the bordering districts so that traders may not bring the produce for sale in Haryana mandis. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 23, 2024 08:28 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Haryana trust vote: CM Saini is a night watchman, says Congress

In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday morning, the BJP first severed its ties with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 14, 2024 03:12 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

Haryana CM Nayab Saini wins floor test by voice vote

Speaker fixes two hours for debate on motion, former home minister Anil Vij present in House, while JJP MLAs heed to party whip, stay away from trust vote

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 13, 2024 02:23 PM IST

ByPawan Sharma

From Khattar’s aide to CM: The rise of Nayab Saini

Born in January 25, 1970, in Mirzapur Majra village in Ambala district, Nayab Saini, who has a BA degree from the BR Ambedkar Bihar University in Muzaffarpur and a law degree from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut, began his association with both the BJP and its ideological parent, the RSS in 1996.

Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya administers the oath to BJP leader Nayab Singh Saini as chief minister of Haryana, on Tuesday. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 13, 2024 08:12 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

From ML Khattar’s aide to Haryana CM: The rise of Nayab Saini

Nayab Saini, 54, to become Haryana's 11th chief minister. Rising through BJP ranks, from state president to CM, with close ties to predecessor Khattar.

Haryana chief minister Naib Singh Saini (Keshav Singh/HT Photo)

India News

Updated on Mar 13, 2024 07:10 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Chandigarh

The Haryana churn began with a BJP leader going over to Congress

Brijendra Singh recently joined the Congress. And then his nemesis, Dushyant Chautala broke ties with the BJP. What does this mean for the two political scions?

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Hisar Brijendra Singh with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. (ANI)

India News

Updated on Mar 13, 2024 01:23 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma

Nayab Singh Saini to be new Haryana chief minister

State BJP president Saini, who was unanimously elected legislature party leader, is a confidant of outgoing CM Manohar Lal Khattar

Haryana BJP president and Kurukshetra MP Nayab Singh Saini (centre) being felicitated by state party in-charge Biplab Kumar Deb, observers Arjun Munda and Tarun Chugh as outgoing chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar looks on in Chandigarh on Tuesday. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Mar 12, 2024 02:41 PM IST

ByPawan Sharma

Hisar MP Brijendra’s exit from BJP was on cards

His decision to join the Congress lacked the element of surprise and stealth. But Brijendra walked out of the BJP before the party could officially dump him by denying the ticket from Hisar, the seat which he had won by trouncing Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) nominee Dushyant Chautala (now deputy chief minister in BJP-led Haryana government) by over three lakh votes.

Chandigarh

Updated on Mar 11, 2024 05:08 AM IST

ByPawan Sharma, Sunil Rahar, Chandigarh

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Pawan Sharma

According to the directorate of school education, the aim is to instill a sense of patriotism and national pride among students.

Following the representations from the affected contractors and the shopkeepers, the Haryana Cabinet on Monday approved the “waiver/adjustment/refund of rent scheme”. This policy aims at providing monetary relief to contractors and shopkeepers running businesses at Haryana roadways bus stands.

Govt agrees to remove grade pay anomalies, to notify specialist cadre at the earliest and to give allowance for visit to hospital at odd/off duty hours to deal with emergency.

The HCMSA, which represents government doctors in the statement, is on the warpath against the government over non-fulfilment of their various demands

The aim of the exercise is to foster a spirit of collaboration and innovation among learners, educators, policymakers and stakeholders in the education sector.

DGP has advised the state govt to approach Centre for deploying 225 companies of Central Armed Police Force to conduct “fair and peaceful” assembly elections

“The Congress government gave reservation to Muslims in the backward class in Karnataka. If they come to power in Haryana, they will do the same here, ” said Amit Shah during an event in Mahendragarh district of Haryana

Addressing the state-level Backward Classes Samman Sammelan in Mahendragarh in Haryana, Union home minister says PM Modi ensured 27% reservation to community despite opposition from Congress

All eyes are on Tuesday’s state-level Backward Classes Samman Sammelan in Mahendergarh where the Union home minister will be the chief guest

Under ₹4,000 per acre incentive driven policy, about 96,000- acre land registered against target of 3 lakh acre so far

Currently, ₹115 on per kilowatt load is charged per month; decision to come into force from next billing cycle and benefit domestic consumers in urban and rural areas

The 70-year-old and the Delhi University graduate had entered the electoral politics in Haryana in October 2014 when the BJP dethroned the Congress in assembly election

The BJP’s vote share in October 2019 assembly election was 36.49% when the party could not cross the halfway mark in the 90-member assembly and formed the government after stitching a post-poll alliance with the JJP.

After summer break tiny-tots to rattle off Aadhaar and phone numbers, names of MP, MLA, CM and governor; students advised to massage feet of dada-dadi, nana-nani and in return the grandparents to regale them with stories

Summer slugfest will set tone for assembly elections due by October. Despite organisational muscle and well-oiled cadre, state unit wrestles with anti-incumbency and accusation of disconnect from ground realities.

The embattled BJP, facing a palpable anti-incumbency, has fielded Banto Devi Kataria, 59, the wife of late MP Rattan Lal Kataria who won from the seat thrice – in 1999, 2014, 2019.

Underscoring the urgency of “timely supervision” of the September 15, 2017 school safety instructions, the education department on Friday DEOs, DEEOs and all BEOs to obtain a self-certified undertaking from all schools in Haryana

The poll body has received nearly 1,400 complaints so far with 90% poll violation reports turning true. Drugs, cash etc worth ₹15 crore seized so far, even as during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls total quantity of drugs and cash seized was ₹18 crore

In yet another surprise, the BJP fielded Ranjit Singh Chautala, an Independent MLA from Rania segment and a cabinet minister in Haryana, from Hisar, also within hours of inducting him into the BJP fold in Sirsa on Sunday

In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday morning, the BJP first severed its ties with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).

Speaker fixes two hours for debate on motion, former home minister Anil Vij present in House, while JJP MLAs heed to party whip, stay away from trust vote

Nayab Saini, 54, to become Haryana's 11th chief minister. Rising through BJP ranks, from state president to CM, with close ties to predecessor Khattar.

Brijendra Singh recently joined the Congress. And then his nemesis, Dushyant Chautala broke ties with the BJP. What does this mean for the two political scions?

State BJP president Saini, who was unanimously elected legislature party leader, is a confidant of outgoing CM Manohar Lal Khattar

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