The Haryana Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini approved the Minorities Commission Bill 2026. The Commission will protect the rights of minorities. Besides, a rebate of 1% in motor vehicle tax was also announced on the purchase of a vehicle up to Rs 20 lakh in the name of women.
Chandigarh (Haryana) [भारत]July 29 (ANI): The Haryana Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Haryana State Minorities Commission Bill, 2026, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
Minority Commission Bill approved
The purpose of this proposed legislation is to establish a statutory Haryana State Minorities Commission to protect the rights and interests of minority communities, monitor the implementation of constitutional and legal safeguards and promote their social, educational, economic and cultural development in the State. The Commission will consist of a Chairman, five non-official members and a Secretary appointed by the Government. The tenure of the Chairperson and Members shall be three years, with provisions relating to resignation, removal and filling of vacancies incorporated in the law.
The Commission will examine the implementation of the constitutional and statutory safeguards available to minority communities and recommend measures for their effective enforcement. It will monitor government policies, welfare schemes and programs relating to minorities, conduct studies and research, assess the representation of minorities in government services, recommend measures for their welfare and development, and promote communal harmony and national unity in the state.
The Commission will also investigate complaints regarding denial of rights and safeguards to minority communities and take up such cases with the appropriate authorities. To ensure effective discharge of its statutory functions, the commission will be provided with the powers of a civil court while conducting investigations, a release said. These powers would include summoning witnesses and securing their attendance, demanding production of documents, receiving evidence on affidavits, requisitioning public records and issuing commissions for examining witnesses and documents.
The Bill also provides for the appointment of a Secretary and supporting staff, preparation of the annual budget of the Commission, government grants, maintenance and audit of accounts, submission of annual and special reports to the Government and laying of such reports before the State Legislature. It also empowers the Government to establish a library, information cell, research cell and other special cells on the recommendation of the Commission so as to strengthen its functioning.
Motor vehicle tax exemption for women
In another decision, the Haryana Cabinet on Tuesday approved exemption in motor vehicle tax on non-transport vehicles with ex-showroom price up to Rs 20 lakh, which are purchased and registered in the name of women in the state. According to the decision, a rebate equal to 1 percent of the ex-showroom price of the vehicle will be given in case of new registration of non-transport vehicles in the name of women in the state. The objective of this decision is to promote self-reliance among women. Providing tax exemption will encourage women to register vehicles in their names, thereby promoting their independence and greater participation in economic activities.
The State Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 2016, specifies the rates of motor vehicle tax to be levied on all categories of vehicles registered and operated in the State of Haryana. At present, motor vehicle tax on vehicles used for personal purposes is levied on the cost of the vehicle, i.e. its ex-showroom price. As announced by the Chief Minister in the Budget speech for the year 2026-27, a rebate of 1 per cent is to be given in addition to the existing motor vehicle tax on non-transport vehicles purchased and registered in the name of women in the state. However, the state government has now decided that this discount will be available only for vehicles with ex-showroom price up to Rs 20 lakh.
CM Saini targeted Congress and AAP
Addressing the press conference, the Chief Minister gave information about the State Minorities Commission Bill. He said, “The state cabinet has approved the Haryana State Minorities Commission Bill, 2026. Under this, the Haryana State Minorities Commission will be constituted. The commission will have a chairman, a vice-chairman, five non-official members and a secretary, whose proposed tenure will be three years. The commission will have powers like a civil court.”
The Chief Minister criticized the Congress party’s stand on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. He alleged, “Congress tried hard to oppose it… PM Modi does good work, but Congress opposes that too. Congress has no issue. Congress has become issueless.”
The Haryana CM also targeted AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and accused them of misleading the public about the education system. He said, “Kejriwal had given slogans in Punjab that he is staunchly honest… How did we know that he would do worse than the Congress… Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann betrayed the youth… Kejriwal used to say that the education system is bad. He used to say on the stage that he will improve it… I want to ask Kejriwal how many children have you made doctors and engineers in 15 years?… Misleading people by lying is not the right way.” He said that many students who have cleared the NEET-UG exam are from rural backgrounds. (ANI)
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