AMBALA, July 29 — Marking the state-level Hariyali Teej celebrations in Ambala City, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday announced a slate of initiatives centered on women and children’s welfare, prominently unveiling the Lado Sakhi Yojana — a targeted scheme aimed at reinforcing the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign by incentivizing care for pregnant women and the birth of girl children.
Under the Lado Sakhi Yojana, an Anganwadi worker, ASHA worker or ANM designated as a “Lado Sakhi” will support expecting mothers during childbirth. For every girl child delivered under their care, the worker will receive ₹1,000 as an incentive. The move, according to the government, is part of a broader strategy to improve the sex ratio in Haryana and empower women frontline health workers.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Beti Bachao scheme in 2014, and since then, Haryana’s sex ratio has improved from 871 to 906 in 2025. This is a result of our collective effort,” said CM Saini. “Lado Sakhi will take this forward by encouraging safe deliveries and girl child births.”
Alongside the launch, the Chief Minister introduced the Badhte Kadam: Digital Bal Programme, designed to enhance early childhood education and care through digital tools in Anganwadi centers. He added that these centers would be upgraded with the latest technology to better serve young children.
Tying the announcements with the festive spirit of Teej, Saini addressed the gathering: “Such festivals are not only about celebration, but also about coming together to support each other. Through self-help groups, we are building a stronger foundation for women in the state.”
During the event, the Chief Minister also announced a range of measures to boost women’s entrepreneurship, education, and livelihood opportunities. He shared that 10,000 Do-It-Yourself kits will be distributed among school-going girls to foster entrepreneurial skills, and one ration depot in every development block will be reserved for women from SHGs (Self-Help Groups).
The government also virtually inaugurated 131 Mahila Sanskriti Kendras, and handed over ₹14.26 crore in revolving and community investment funds to SHGs. Newly constructed Rural Harts in six districts were also transferred to SHG ownership.
Additionally, outstanding contributions in traditional crafts were recognized: women artisans received State Handicraft Awards and Outstanding Woman Artisan Awards, each carrying a ₹3 lakh prize, while 12 others were granted ₹51,000 in consolation awards. High-performing SHGs at the district level were similarly honoured.
Later in the evening, Saini conferred the Utkrisht Shiksha Puraskar to meritorious students and urged them to stay away from substance abuse and contribute to the country’s progress. “The future lies in the hands of students who choose discipline and nation-building over distractions,” he said.
The event was attended by senior leaders, including Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij, Women and Child Development Minister Shruti Choudhry, Minister of State Rajesh Nagar, BJP state president Mohan Lal Kaushik, and former minister Aseem Goel.
At Van Mahotsav in Yamunanagar
In a separate state-level function at Kalesar, Yamunanagar, Saini participated in Van Mahotsav, emphasizing the urgent need to balance development with nature conservation. “True progress lies in living in harmony with nature rather than exploiting it,” the CM said after planting saplings at the site.
Calling Kalesar a crucial ecological region and a potential tourism magnet, he said, “The government is working on transforming the Kalka-Kalesar belt into a major eco-tourism hub.”
The CM also inaugurated a new Forest Department rest house and announced an ambitious plan to plant 2.10 crore saplings this year to increase green cover in Haryana. Booklets titled Haryana Forest News and Pran Vayu Devta were released at the event.
Environment and Forest Minister Rao Narbir Singh and Yamunanagar MLA Ghanshyam Dass Arora were among the leaders present.
