Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal today unfolded his vision for the State saying that it will have state-of-the-art infrastructure, better facilities for healthcare and education, transparent administration, rapid industrialization and maximum job opportunities for the youth.Speaking after unfurling the National Flag on the occasion of 69th Independence Day at Kurukshetra today, he outlined his roadmap for the future. Earlier, he took salute from the contingents of Armed Police, Home Guards, NCC, and State Police.Paying rich tributes to known and unknown freedom fighters and martyrs, Mr Manohar Lal said that the Independence Day is a symbol of sacrifice, dignity of martyrs, glory of freedom fighters and magnificence of the nation. “Sacrifice of countless people that led to our independence serves as a source of inspiration to the whole world even today.
He said that the State government is building an international-level memorial of martyrs over an area of 22 acres at Ambala to honour those who were martyred during the Freedom Struggle of the country and families which safeguarded the democracy. This memorial would be a symbol of service and sacrifice to inspire the future generations. Also, the State government has made an unprecedented increase in the amount of ex gratia being given to defense personnel. Now the families of martyrs are given Rs 20 lakh as ex gratia and Rs 15 lakh is given in case of disability.
While describing the days of emergency as a ‘black chapter in the history of India’s democracy’, the Chief Minister said that the State Government has decided to honour those who had suffered in those days with ‘Tamrapatra’ on the occasion of next Republic Day. Apart from this, they and their spouses would be given the facility of free travel in ordinary buses of Haryana Roadways and 75 per cent concession in fare of Volvo buses. This facility would be applicable fromOctober 2, 2015. He said that however, during the emergency period there was a ban on the freedom of press, though a few people have written poems and articles on it. A Granth entitled as Shubhra Jyotsana would be published on the occasion of next Republic Day and all these poems, stories and articles would be incorporated in it.
Detailing his roadmap, he said that his vision for Haryana would also have robust road and rail network, making agriculture a profitable profession, 24 hour power supply in villages on urban pattern, skill development of youth and better sports infrastructure in villages.The Chief Minister said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, a number of welfare programmes have been started in the country during last 15 months. These included Digital India, Skilled India, Make-in-India, Swach Bharat Mission, Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao Programme, Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna, Smart City, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation and Housing for All by 2022. These programmes would help make India a major economic power in the coming years, he added. He said “Under the guidance of Mr Narendra Modi, in the last 10 months in Haryana, we have achieved many goals towards overall development, welfare of the masses and establish a corruption-free system”.
Highlighting the importance of good governance, Mr Manohar Lal said that the State Government had developed a new work culture. “We are embracing the concept of ‘e-governance’ to improve the quality of life of people. ‘CM Window’ has been established to redress public grievances and it has proved to be very successful, and the ‘CM Web-portal’ set up to boost citizen participation in process of development was acting as a strong bridge between the Government and the people. The Chief Minister urged people to register their complaints by calling toll-free helpline number ‘1064’ in case any Haryana Government employee or officer asked them for bribes, so that the accused could be caught and punished. He added that the Haryana Government was making the State Vigilance Bureau more active and modern to check corruption.He said that with a view to ensure robust infrastructure in the State, special emphasis is being given on the expansion of road and rail facilities. During the current financial year, a scheme of Rs 1560 crore has been approved for renovation and repair of roads in all assembly constituencies of the State. It is for the first time in the State that all repair works of roads have been accorded approval in the beginning of the financial year. We have spent Rs 774 crore on the renovation of 2259 kilometer long roads, said the Chief Minister adding that to make travelling more convenient six toll plazas have been closed.
Mr Manohar Lal said that the Central Government has announced 924 kilometers long nine National Highways in the State. Apart from this, work of four laning of Yamunanagar-Barwala, Ambala-Kaithal and Sirsa-Dabwali National Highways has been started. He said that we have also got restarted the construction work of long pending Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway. Now it would six lanned instead of four lanes, he added. He said that Haryana has got three new rail projects of Rs 1074 crore in the Rail Budget of the year 2015-16. There is also a plan to extend Delhi Metro from HUDA City Centre in Gurgaon to Sohna Road and upto Kundli in Sonipat district. The work to extend Metro from YMCA Chowk, Faridabad to Ballabhgarh has already been started. Apart from this there is also a plan to connect Gurgaon and Faridabad with Metro.
While reiterating his commitment to ensure water to every field, the Chief Minister assured that Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL)canal would be got constructed and water of Ravi-Beas rivers would flow in it. Apart from this, Hansi-Butana Canal would also be made operational. He said that being Principal Servant of the State, farmers’ welfare is his priority. To make agriculture a profitable profession, infrastructural expansion including many other schemes were being implemented. While referring to the heavy loss incurred by the farmers on account of untimely rain and hailstorm in March-April, he said that the State Government has distributed unprecedented compensation of Rs 1092.20 crore and also ensured its timely payment to the farmers. Apart from this, electricity bills of affected farmers have been waived off and decided that farmers repaying the crop loan on time would be given interest free crop loan for Kharif 2015 and Rabi 2015-16. There is a target to give loan of Rs 10,000 crore for both these crops, he added. He said that a Horticulture University would be set up in the State to encourage the cultivation of flowers, fruits and vegetables.
The Chief Minister said that the present government is committed to ensure 24 hour electricity supply with full voltage in rural areas on patter of urban areas. A new scheme namely ‘Mahra Gaon Jagmag Gaon’ has been started. Initially this scheme is being implemented in rural areas of 83 Assembly constituencies. He said that in the first phase, one such domestic feeder each has been taken from every rural Assembly area having minimum line losses. The power supply for the domestic consumers of villages falling under such 83 feeders has been increased from 12 hours to 15 hours. He also urged the people not only to pay their electricity bills on time but also encourage others to do the same.
While referring to the new industrial policy, he said that with a view to ensure rapid economic development and provide ample employment opportunities to the youth, the Government has launched a transparent Enterprises Promotion Policy-2015. The new Policy aims at attracting a huge investment of Rs one lakh crore and to provide job opportunities to four lakh youth. He said that under this Policy emphasis has been laid on ease of doing business. Under the new Policy, projects with investment of more than Rs 10 crore and involving CLU cases of more than one acre land would be cleared by the Empowered Executive Committee under Principal Secretary to Chief Minister whereas projects with investment up to Rs. 10 crore and CLU cases up-to one acre in conforming zones would be cleared by District Level Clearance Committee headed by Deputy Commissioner.
He said that there are 39 Blocks in the State where there is no need of CLU and NOC whereas in 32 Blocks CLU would be done automatically. He said that there would be Employment Generation Subsidy of Rs. 36,000 per annum for Scheduled Castes and Women and Rs. 30,000 per year for General category for five years for capacity building of persons belonging to Haryana. A conducive atmosphere is being provided in the State so as to enable the business and trade to flourish. It is our aim to abolish the Inspector Raj in the interest of traders. Therefore, Form C has been made available online so as to facilitate traders, he added.He said that ‘Haryana Skill Development Mission’ has been set up under which unemployed and uneducated youth would be imparted training. With a view to impart training to women in skill development, an agreement has been signed with United Nations Development Programme. Under this, 10,000 women of the State would be benefited in the next two years.The Chief Minister said that with a view to ensure the physical and psychological wellbeing of youth, ‘Haryana Physical Activities and Sports Policy 2015’ has been implemented. To give youth, employment opportunities without nepotism and favoritism, interview marks have been restricted to only 12 per cent. About 50,000 vacant posts would soon be filled up in different departments, he added.
While describing economical, easy and latest treatment facilities as the priority of the State Government, he said that the process has been started to set up Kalpana Chawla University of Health Sciences at village Kutail in district Karnal and a Medical College in Bhiwani. Apart from this, Central Government has been urged to open a Centre of AIMS in village Manethi, district Rewari over 200 acres of land. He said that Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board has been set up to preserve and promote the various archeo-cultural facets of the Saraswati Heritage Area. He said that a sum of Rs 158 crore would be spent on the beautification of Jyotisar, Amin, Narkatri, Brahmasarovar and Sanhit Sarovar in Kurukshetra and added that Kurukshetra would be developed as a tourism destination of international level.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also honoured freedom fighters and war widows by presenting them with shawl. These included Ajit Singh, Dhan Kaur, Daleep Kaur, Santosh Kumari, Sushila Kumari, Lajwanti, Kasturi Devi, Jasvir Kaur, Bhagwati Devi, Puran Kaur, Surender Kaur, Pushpa Devi, Harbhajan Kaur, Surjeet Kaur, Kuldeep Kaur, Krishna Devi, Satpal Kaur, Daljit Kaur, Sukhwinder Kaur and Hardeep Kaur. Apart from this, he also honoured officers and employees of district administration for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields.
Earlier, the school children presented a colouful cultural programme which was highly appreciated by all. Pleased with their performance, the Chief Minister announced to give Rs two lakh for their refreshment and announced one day holiday.MP Mr Rajkumar Saini, MLAs namely Mr Subhash Sudha and Mr Pawan Saini, ADGP CID Mr Shatrujeet Kapoor, other senior officers of district administration, a large number of school children and other prominent personalities were also present on this occasion.