Emphasising that the state government has taken proactive measures to contain coronavirus, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala says that the economic activities which were affected due to Covid-19 nationwide lockdown are being resumed in a phased manner and would slowly be brought back on track. In an interview with The Pioneer, Dushyant shares his views about challenges before the Government due to Covid-19 nationwide lockdown and steps being to facilitate all the sections of society during unlocked -1 and: Excerpts from the interview:
Do you think nationwide lockdown could have been better planned? Lockdown has been heavily criticised by opposition for its lack of planning, migrant crisis, crippling economy and lack of an exit strategy. What would you say?
Under the circumstances, I think it was the best decision taken by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to impose the nationwide lockdown from March 25 and prevent the spread of coronavirus. We have controlled the rapid spread of Covid and also developed health infrastructure. In Haryana we were the first State that has started procurement of crops and other business activities from April 20. From June 8 onwards, all religious places, restaurants and shopping malls will be opened in all districts of the State except Gurugram and Faridabad with strict implementation of social distance norms.
Nation-wide lockdown was enforced suddenly. If you look back, do you think the State Government could have taken some more steps to facilitate the people especially migrant labourers, farmers among others?
Things are changing rapidly. In the Chinese language, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters, one representing danger and the other, opportunity. We have to understand either we start crying and make it for a crisis situation or you make it as an opportunity. Haryana has taken it as an opportunity.
Haryana has industries but is highly dependent on agriculture. How much Covid-19 has impacted Haryana’s economy?
The economy had been affected due to the lockdown. The economic activities had stopped for some time, but now they are being resumed in a phased manner and would slowly be brought back on track. The farmers on the other hand had not been affected as the procurement of their produce has been done efficiently by the Government.
Where do you see Haryana five years down the line? Being a part of the Coalition Government, what are your priority areas in Haryana?
We need to focus more on industries and be the number one state. We also need to be the first State putting agriculture on the right track. We need to be number one in terms of educational institutions. We need to learn from the lessons already arising from the disease and shutdowns, and adopt changes that will take us to a better position. We would like to be the first State to provide the best health services to the people of the State.
Opposition has demanded a sitting High Court judge monitored inquiry into the Haryana liquor scam. What's your take?
There has not been any lapse by the excise department. A theft at the police malkhana is being termed as a scam. The Excise Department has nothing to do with it. We are told, the Excise Department never verifies this stock. Only when it is to be destroyed is a team of the department called. There are police personnel guarding the malkhana in Kharkhoda (Sonepat). It is not the duty of the Excise Department to check that malkhana every day. A Special Enquiry Team (SET) was probing the matter and any official found involved in the scam would face stern action.
Unemployment rate in Haryana was around 28 per cent and you raised this issue during the election. After nationwide lockdown, the unemployment rate in the State now is around 35 per cent. How would you address this issue?
Today the State Government has made the work smooth in almost all industries. Our government has been laying emphasis on employment generation. We are committed to provide 75 per cent of the jobs in public sectors to the youth of the state. Haryana is a labour deficit State. We are looking forward to starting Rojgar portal which will permit us to connect pan India and bring best talent for industries in the State.
Around two to three lakh migrant labourers were sent to their native States by your government. But industrialists and farmers are facing a shortage of manpower. How would you address their concerns?
That is a concern for all of us. If migrant labourers do not come till last week of July then there will be a problem. We are speaking to everybody around the country to bring labouers in the State during Kharif season.
Do you think it is the right time to implement crop diversification scheme?
Since our government came into power several steps have been taken to increase farmers’ income. There is a need to create awareness among the farmers about the benefit of crop diversification and we are doing so. Opposition is spreading misinformation on the ban on paddy cultivation. We launched the "Mera Pani-Meri Virasat" scheme, not a ban on paddy. Paddy cultivation at ground water level of more than 35 meters is forbidden only on Panchayati lands. Under "Mera Pani-Meri Virasat, farmers have been advised to adopt crop diversification by sowing other crops namely maize, millet, pulses, vegetables, and fruits in their fields in place of paddy. For sowing other crops, farmers would be given an incentive amount of Rs 7000 per acre.”
Late payment to farmers for wheat procurement and mustard has been a big issue. What is the exact situation regarding payment to farmers?
There should not be any politics on farmers’ issues. Earlier, in our State there was no fool- proof mechanism of payment to farmers of their procured crops. Due to this, the payment of farmers was being delayed earlier by a month or so. But now we have developed a new mechanism to pay farmers directly in their account. Initially there was a delay of around five to six days in payment to farmers. But so far around 98 per cent farmers have been paid. Remaining two per cent farmers will be paid soon.
Are you a junior partner or equal partner in the BJP-JJP coalition Government in the State?
If you talk about the numbers then the ratio is 4:1. Still we can assure that we are working as equal partners in the Government. We have an equal say in the decision-making process. For the last seven months, opposition is trying to affect harmony. We are strong and working to fulfill the dreams of the people. One can see how both the parties are fighting together against Covid-19 crisis.