Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday announced that under the ‘Van Mitra’ Scheme, the recruitment of ‘Van Mitra’ will soon be conducted. These ‘Van Mitra’ will be given honorarium to take care of the plants, he said.
The Chief Minister directed the officers to regularly map the existing plants and those planted annually under the plantation campaign using drones. “If there is delay in extinguishing the fire on forest land, then accountability will be fixed from forest guards to senior officers,” he added.
Saini, presiding over a review meeting of the Forest and Wildlife Department in Chandigarh on Sunday, also released a brochure for ‘Pran Vayu Devta Scheme’. The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Wildlife Sanjay Singh.
The Chief Minister said that illegal cutting of trees from the forest areas will not be tolerated, and if any employee is found to be complicit, action will be taken against them. He reviewed in detail the annual plantation drive conducted by the Forest Department during the monsoon season and directed that these plants be geo-tagged and their growth should be monitored for five years with the help of drones.
Expressing concern over forest fire incidents, the Chief Minister said that such incidents not only kill wildlife but also cause damage worth crores of rupees in wood and contribute to pollution. He said, “If there is unnecessary delay in responding to a fire incident, officers from forest guards to district-level officers will be held accountable,” he said.
He directed the officers to ensure arrangements for supplying water from canals or tube wells to national parks like Kalesar, Sultanpur, and other dense forests so that this water can be used by wildlife during extreme heat and to aid in extinguishing fires.
The Chief Minister was informed that a budget of Rs 150 crore has been allocated for the plantation drive for the year 2024-25, while Rs 10 crore will be spent on herbal parks. The Chief Minister was also informed that under the "Pran Vayu Devta" scheme, the state government plans to provide an annual pension of Rs 2,750 to those who take care of trees over 75 years old. So far, 3,819 such trees have been identified under this scheme.
Apple Mandi in Pinjore to begin operations from Jul 15
In another meeting with the officers of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB), Saini announced that the Apple Fruit and Vegetable Market in Pinjore will become operational on July 15, 2024. To ensure a smooth commencement of the season, all basic facilities at the mandi will be made available before July 15, providing vendors with more space to sell apples.
The Chief Minister announced to extend the age eligibility under the Mukhyamantri Kisan Evam Khetihar Mazdoor Jeevan Suraksha Yojana from 65 to 75 years to beneficiary victims. The scheme’s coverage will be expanded to include death caused by lightning, animal-related accidents, and leakage of poisonous gases from tubewells. The department has disbursed 134 crore under the scheme to the beneficiaries in last seven years.
The claimants covered under the scope of this scheme includes, in the event of death, the compensation shall be Rs five lakhs. For a permanent disability resulting from the breakage of the backbone or other causes, the assistance will be Rs 2.50 lakhs. In cases of amputation of two limbs or a permanent serious injury, the amount will be Rs 1,87,500. For a permanent serious injury or the amputation of one limb, where the amputation of four fingers is considered equivalent to the loss of one limb, the compensation is Rs 1.25 lakhs. If a full finger is amputated, the assistance provided will be Rs 75,000. For a partial amputation of a finger, the financial assistance will be Rs 37,500.
The ‘Vivadhon Ka Samadhan’ scheme, which was reviewed during the meeting, will be extended until September 30, 2024, with new modifications. A 20-day grace period for installment payments in old cases will be introduced, exempting such allottees from penalties if payments are made within this period. For cases where the outstanding amount exceeds the current market value of the plot, an option for plot resumption with a fresh auction will be provided. Any excess amount from the reserve price will be shared equally between the old allottee and the department. Furthermore, for allotments made before March 20, 2000, where compound interest was imposed, the interest will now be converted to simple interest, and the due amount will be recalculated. The benefits of the 'Vivadhon Ka Samadhan' scheme will also be applicable to these revised amounts.
In the meeting, the Chief Minister was apprised during the meeting that seven new Atal Kisan Mazdoor Canteens will be opened, adding to the 40 canteens already in operation. To improve infrastructure, the Chief Minister directed that all essential facilities, such as the repair of covered sheds, platforms, and storm water drainage systems, be ensured before the next marketing Kharif season. This project includes repairing 384 identified roads at an estimated cost of Rs 240 crore and addressing new roads covering 284 roads spanning 702 kilometers, with an estimated expense of Rs 353 crore. Earlier, 388 roads length 1096 kms with an estimated cost Rs 258 crore in progress for repair.
