India, Aug. 14 -- The Haryana Cabinet on Thursday approved the World Bank-funded Water Secure Haryana Programme (WSHP) at an estimated cost of Rs 5,714.80 crore, besides clearing a slew of measures to promote startups, particularly women-led ventures, and approving a Bill for setting up Masters Union University in Gurugram. The integrated water-sector programme comprises a World Bank loan of Rs 4,000.36 crore and a state share of Rs 1,714.44 crore. It will cover 15 priority irrigation clusters with 48.94 lakh acres of irrigable command area and is expected to directly benefit around 45 lakh people. The programme will focus on groundwater conservation, irrigation efficiency, water availability and sustainable agricultural water use. Measures such as Direct Seeded Rice and crop diversification will be promoted to reduce water demand. SCADA and RTDAS systems will enable real-time monitoring of canals and water resources, while the programme will also seek to strengthen water governance and institutional capacity. Also Read - TVK welcomes SC's stay of Madras HC ruling against jobs to kin of stampede victims The Cabinet also approved a supplement to the state startup policy with enhanced incentives for women entrepreneurs. Women-led startups will be eligible for a 50 per cent lease rental subsidy for one year, capped at Rs 10 lakh, and 100 per cent reimbursement of Net SGST for seven years, subject to 100 per cent of fixed capital investment. General startups will continue to receive 50 per cent Net SGST reimbursement for seven years. The package includes assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh for technology licensing and transfer. Women-led startups in handicrafts, traditional textiles, environment-friendly rural products, Ayurveda-based wellness products and indigenous food products will receive micro-grants of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Also Read - Jharkhand Protest: 300 unidentified people booked over violence, vandalism in Ranchi For market access, general startups can receive up to Rs 5 lakh annually and women-led startups up to Rs 7 lakh for participation in domestic events and exhibitions. Startups can also claim 50 per cent reimbursement of quality certification costs, capped at Rs 25 lakh. The government will distribute 10,000 DIY kits to students and establish H-HUB, a world-class incubator in collaboration with startups, corporates and educational institutions. Ten per cent of annual departmental procurement will be reserved for eligible Haryana-based startups. The policy also provides matching grants of up to Rs 25 lakh against private or angel investment, apprenticeship stipend reimbursement of up to Rs 7,500 per apprentice per month, and 75 per cent reimbursement of cloud computing and storage costs, capped at Rs 2.5 lakh annually for five years. The Cabinet also approved moving the Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to facilitate Masters Union University in Gurugram. The university, promoted by Shanti Foundation Trust, is proposed on 5.14 acres with an existing 1,07,358-square-foot building. The trust holds the property on a 30-year lease.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.