CHANDIGARH
Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar congratulated the entire ITV Network on the launch of the newspapers The Sunday Guardian and The Daily Guardian in Chandigarh on Saturday, as well as for the completion of 14 years of India News channel. The ITV Network, of which The Sunday Guardian, The Daily Guardian and India News are a part, organised the largest ever political dialogue held in the the states of Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, called “Capital Dialogue 2023”.
When asked about the recent BJP victory in three states, the Haryana CM asserted that the triumph stood as a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s adept leadership and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s people-centric policies. It symbolized public endorsement for a developed India by 2047 and reflected Haryana’s enthusiasm for the BJP, showcasing faith in the party’s policies as the electorate rejects the politics of deceit and manipulation.
When asked about the significance of public participation in achieving a developed India status by 2047, CM Khattar said that this ambitious goal relied on the active involvement of citizens. In Haryana, a concerted effort, similar to this nationwide endeavour, is fostering substantial enthusiasm among its residents, an endorsement echoed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Daily engagement of over 40,000 individuals in this transformative journey provides them with direct insights into governmental plans at both central and state levels. Additionally, on-the-spot services such as rectifying identification documents, issuing senior citizen cards, facilitating loans through schemes like the Prime Minister’s Self-Help Group Scheme, and conducting property registrations under ownership schemes exemplify the tangible impact of this inclusive approach toward national development.
When asked about his journey since assuming office in 2014 and overseeing the nine-year tenure, Chief Minister Manohar Lal stated, “The past nine years have witnessed profound transformations. Governance has been our cornerstone, propelling Haryana towards becoming a vibrant, dynamic, and emerging state. Our success lies in cultivating a Haryana where fields yield abundant produce, industries thrive, people find contentment, youth embrace pride, and women experience not just safety and equal opportunities but also empowerment. We’ve imbued marginalized communities’ lives with newfound happiness.”
Questioning the progress made on fostering transparent administration and the emergence of transparency in Haryana, the CM highlighted a transformative shift from a previous era marked by fear, corruption, nepotism, regionalism, and casteism. The people’s mandate called for systemic change, aiming not for mere adjustments but for an entirely new system—one ensuring equitable development, acknowledging abilities, devoid of bias and discrimination, transparent, and inclusive of marginalized voices. With a dedicated pursuit of this objective, CM Haryana proudly declared, after nine years, success in achieving the envisioned systemic transformation.
CM Khattar mentioned advancements in agriculture, stating that his government has increased compensation for crop loss due to natural disasters from Rs 6,000 per acre in 2013 to Rs 15,000 per acre. He highlighted that over the past nine years, his administration distributed Rs 11,000 crore in compensation to farmers, contrasting significantly with the Rs 1,158 crore disbursed by the previous government over ten years. The state underwent a profound economic shift, marked by prolific agricultural output supporting farmers, burgeoning industries generating employment, and top-tier infrastructure enticing economic development and investments. Social welfare programs empowered marginalized communities, fostering optimism and self-sufficiency among the state’s youth, thereby significantly contributing to comprehensive advancement. CM Khattar also mentioned the beneficial impact of various schemes on the sisters of Haryana. Under the Mukhyamantri Vivah Shagun Yojana, grants for daughters’ wedding celebrations were raised to Rs 41,000 from Rs 31,000. Additionally, efforts were directed towards enhancing education for daughters by upgrading the infrastructure of government and private polytechnic colleges. Another initiative introduced was the “Kothli”, a traditional gift exchanged between siblings on Teej, intended to encourage women to accept it as a token of blessing. These measures aimed to empower and support the women of Haryana.
When questioned about transparency in job allocations and addressing harassment issues among the youth, CM Khattar responded with insights into the reforms undertaken. He acknowledged the prevalent corruption in previous recruitment processes, emphasising the government’s successful crackdown on paper mafias. Highlighting a commitment to transparency, CM Khattar emphasised that job allocations are now conducted in a more open and accountable manner. Additionally, he mentioned the equitable distribution of funds to villages and cities, emphasising a population-based approach to ensure fair resource allocation across various regions. When inquired about his stance on One Nation One Election, the CM shed light on Prime Minister Modi’s perspective, which emphasizes resource conservation and optimal utilisation. CM Khattar highlighted the prevalent substantial expenditure incurred due to multiple elections held at different intervals. By adopting the One Nation One Election approach, CM Khattar emphasised the dual benefits of resource conservation and gaining comprehensive insights into the electorate’s collective sentiments in a singular instance. This method, he suggested, could streamline the electoral process, minimise logistical challenges, and potentially align the nation’s democratic exercise with more synchronized and efficient governance strategies.
On being asked about how far Haryana has progressed in the last nine years of the Khattar government, he answered that over the past nine years, the state government under PM Narendra Modi’s guidance had made several significant achievements, revolutionizing governance and positively impacting various sectors. One major milestone was the introduction of Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), offering access to 397 schemes and services to 45 lakh families from their homes, a model being studied by other states. The provision of clean drinking water through pipelines to 31.41 lakh rural households and ensuring 24-hour electricity to 5,791 villages, covering 86% of total villages, further showcased the government’s commitment to fundamental amenities.
In governance, a ground-breaking transformation occurred, saving Rs 11,82.23 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The Antyodaya Saral Portal brought 675 schemes online, removing 36.75 lakh fake beneficiaries and enhancing citizen-government connections. Additionally, the compensation for crop damage due to natural disasters surged from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per acre, totalling Rs 11,000 crore for calamity-affected farmers, a significant increase compared to the previous administration. The state took remarkable strides in agricultural welfare, ensuring 14 crops procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP) and implementing schemes like Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana, and Mera Pani-Meri Virasat for water conservation and alternative cropping. Notably, it became the first state to deposit Rs 750 crore for bajra and horticulture farmers under the Bhavantar Bharpiee Yojana.
The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign and the allocation of property rights to over 25 lakh rural families showcased the state’s dedication to women’s welfare. Infrastructural development was a priority, with every district connected to a national highway, investment in two new airports, and the distribution of 5.50 lakh tablets to students for e-learning in government schools.
Pioneering rural development initiatives, such as increasing daily wages under MGNREGA and providing EBC reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions, significantly enhanced living standards in rural areas. The government’s governance philosophy revolved around Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas-Sabka Vishwas, fostering a culture of transparency, sensitivity, and accountability. The Chief Minister emphasized the transformative change in administrative systems, making the government more approachable and efficient. The upliftment of Antyodaya and marginalized communities remained a core focus, evident in increased income limits for BPL families and social security, financial aid expansions, health programs, housing schemes, and empowerment initiatives. Urban development strategies included regularizing unauthorized colonies, implementing the Shahri Swamitva Scheme, strengthening urban local bodies, and establishing revenue measures for basic infrastructure development, showing a comprehensive approach to sustainable urban growth.
During this event, CM Khattar inaugurated the Chandigarh editions of the English newspapers The Sunday Guardian and The Daily Guardian in the presence of Rajya Sabha Member Kartikeya Sharma. former Union Minister Venod Sharma, ITV Network’s CEO Rakesh Sharma, and Ambala Mayor Shakti Rani Sharma. Additionally, several political dignitaries graced the occasion, sharing their political perspectives related to their respective states. Among them were senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, Punjab Government Cabinet Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra, ex Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jairam Thakur, Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana Dushyant Chautala, Senior INLD leaders Abhay Singh Chautala and Sunaina Chautala, as well as former Speaker of Haryana Assembly Kuldeep Sharma, apart from other dignitaries.