Panchkula, June 17 -- Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday called mayors the "backbone of local self-governance" and key drivers of urban development and public service delivery. He was speaking at the 115th meeting of the All India Mayors' Executive Council, a two-day national conference held in Panchkula, attended by over 45 mayors from across the country.

Highlighting the state's achievements in urban development, Saini said the budget for urban local bodies in Haryana had risen from Rs.1,693 crore in 2014-15 to Rs.5,666 crore for 2025-26. He also drew attention to the creation of four metropolitan development authorities and the transformation of Faridabad and Karnal into smart cities, with projects worth Rs.930 crore a...