Ram Bilas Sharma, a cabinet minister with portfolios of Education, Tourism, Parliamentary Affairs among others in Bharatiya Janata Party’s government in Haryana, is considered as the second most influential in the Government after Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
He says that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there has been stability in Indian politics and the dignity of the country has increased at international level. Development in Haryana has taken place at a very high pace the last almost five years and under the visionary leadership of CM Khattar, Haryana has now become one of the fast-developing States of the country. He says the State has made tremendous progress in education and tourism sectors. “I feel honoured by working as a RSS ‘pracharak’; BJP state president three times; as a State minister twice in the past and now Cabinet Minister under Khattar- led State government. I am not a power hungry person. As a disciplined worker of the party, I strictly follow high command’s order.”
In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, Sharma revealed his political journey, work and achievements as State Cabinet Minister and plan for the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha election.
You born in 1948 in Rathiwas, a small village of 393 people located in Mahendragarh Tehsil. It is learnt you faced several challenges in your early life. How was your journey from a college professor in Kurukshetra to full time politician? Elaborate it.
My childhood was very challenging despite that I had completed my higher education and joined as a proofreader for the English daily Motherland and later joined College as professor in Kurukshetra. My passion to work for the people motivated me to join RSS and later BJP. In 1974, I had joined the Jayaprakash Narayan movement. Late I joined RSS as ‘pracharak’ and was subsequently made general secretary of RSS, Rohtak. I was elected as BJP’s MLA from Mahendergarharea four times in a row. I served as a Public Health minister from 1987 to 1990 and Education minister from 1996 to 1999. I got an opportunity to become BJP state president three times.
So far, you have won Assembly election five times in the State. It is said politics is full of uncertainties. How you were able to win Assembly election five times?
I live with the people and try to find out solution for their concerns. Their problems are heard patiently followed by action. Passion to work for the people had motivated me to join RSS first and later BJP. I interact with the people by organising religious and other events concerning the people. I had made over 17 kanwar yatra on my feet to Haridwar to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings and also organised numerous religious functions in my constituency and other parts of the state. This year, such religious event is also being organised in my constituency.
Your party had performed exceptionally well in the parliamentary election by winning 10 out of 10 Lok Sabha seats. How do you take opposition parties? Will the Opposition give BJP strong fight in the upcoming assembly polls? Your party has set target of 75+ seats. How will you achieve the set target?
Under the leadership of CM Khattar, State is leading on the path of fast progress. The BJP- led government in the state has succeeded in meeting people’s expectation. Widespread developments has been taking place under CM’s leadership which reflected in Parliamentary election. People of the state are with the BJP and party has set target of 75 + seats. All party members are confident of achieving the target. The previous Congress- led State government was non-performing government and people of the state had rejected them. Leaders of the opposition parties like JJP, INLD, Congress and others are nowhere now as they are power hungry and fighting amongst themselves. They have lost people’s faith. They have nothing to do with the concerns of the people. In BJP, we all are working selflessly for the betterment of the people. The party will conveniently form the government in the state by winning majority of the seats in assembly polls.
Being an education minister, what are the major achievements in Education sector?
In the last almost five years, steps have been taken in regard to setting up new schools and colleges, providing better infrastructure facilities. In consultation with all the stakeholders including teachers and their unions and under the able guidance of CM Khattar, we have successfully implemented a transparent online teacher’s transfer policy. 13 states including Punjab are following our education policy in their respective states. Moreover, learning enhancement programme has been started. Apart from this, bi-monthly tests are also being conducted in the schools. The NITI Ayog has also appreciated Haryana’s effort in this direction. Apart from education, special emphasis is also being given for the skilling of youth so as to make them employable. 640 Board toppers of class 10th were given away laptops. As a result of various initiatives taken to improve the quality of education in the State, about 56,000 students have migrated from private schools to government schools last year and this figure would be increased further in the time to come. Around 20, 000 regular teachers were appointed in schools and colleges as well as large number of guest teachers have been regularised. Teachers have been deployed evenly in each schools of the state. Under the guidance of CM, I along with education officers went England on study tour recently and memorandum of understanding (MoUs) have been signed with the Universities of London, which will increase employment opportunities and research will be carried out in state based universities.
What are the future plans in Education sector?
Top 100 schools of 10th and 12th standard in the State would be developed as Model School on the basis of evaluation of their results and infrastructure. Besides, new Super 100 Centres would be opened in for government school students where top performing students would be provided coaching in competitive examinations like JEE Mains, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), CLAT etc. for admission into engineering, medical and law colleges.
You had recently addressed 'House of Lords' of British Parliament in London and it is learnt that British parliament had apologised over Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919. Could you elaborate on this.I got an opportunity to address House of Lords' of British Parliament in London. I thanked the UK for the fact that 49 MPs of their Parliament had signed a proposal and expressed deep regret for the Jallianwala Massacre in 1919. The House recognised the importance of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre for its importance as a turning point in the history of British Empire in India. Parliament recognised that former PM David Cameron, referred to the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre as a deeply shameful act. This event does not represent modern British values. The members urged the government to ensure that British children are taught about this shameful period and that modern British values welcome the right to peaceful protest. The members also urged the government formally to apologies in the House and inaugurate a memorial day to commemorate this event.
Tourism has big scope in Haryana. What has been done in recent years to promote tourism in the State?
Several steps have been taken to promote tourism in the state. Kurukshetra has been developed as a centre of tourism. Facilities for pilgrims have been improved here. Mela, exhibition and other function are being organised from time to time to attract pilgrims and tourists. Moreover, the financial assistance of Rs 6,000 is being given to 50 pilgrims under Swarn Jyanti Gurudarshan yatra scheme while Rs 10,000 under Swarn Jyanti Sindhu Darshan scheme and Rs 50,000 under Kailash Mansarovar Yatra scheme. Narnaul-Mahendragarh-Madhavgarh-Rewari will be developed as rural tourism circuit worth Rs 99 crore and this project has been sent for its approval. Gita teaches peace and the knowledge of Gita is must for all. The Gita Mahotsav is being promoted. The International Gita Festival was organised by the state government on this holy place Kurukshetra where Granth Gita originated to spread the light of knowledge. Mauritius had organised a Gita Mahotsav in February this year. Gita Mahotsav will also be organised in London in August. The state government has made effort and an exhibition called Jiyo Gita Exhibition containing 650 books of Gita in 40 languages has been set up in the state to help the tourists and pilgrims.
You support Digambar saint Tarun Sagar’s controversial statement wherein he had said in the Haryana assembly that those people demand proof of surgical strike should go to Pakistan and secure citizenship there. Comment on this.
As a parliamentary affairs minister, I am privileged to invite Digambar saint Tarun Sagar to give his speech in the Vidhan Sabha on August 26, 2017. All the 90 MLAs of all the political parties had attended and heard his speech patiently and peacefully. In his speech, Tarun Sagar had said that those demand proof of surgical strike should go to Pakistan. I support his statement as Indian Army had conducted surgical strike and we all should have faith on their bravery.
You are one of the senior most leaders of BJP. Do you consider yourself as a future chief minister of Haryana?
I am a missionary and follow the high command’s order in toto. I have worked in various positions in RSS and BJP. I was made BJP state president three times. I won election five times. I worked with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and now under PM Narendra Modi. Future will decide my fate but I follow high command’s order strictly.