Mool Chand Sharma who is a Minister of Transport, Mines and Geology, Skill Development, Industrial training and Art and Culture affairs in the BJP-JJP coalition government says that emphasis is being laid to strengthen public transport system in the State. He says that common people are using public buses for their transportation but admits that there is shortage of public buses in the State. So his first priority would be to increase the number of public buses in the State and for this, the officers concerned have been asked to complete all necessary formalities to purchase more public buses.
Sharma who is two-time MLA from Ballabhgarh said that department officers have been directed to lay emphasis on cleanliness and a pollution-free environment as these affect everyone. They need to work on these issues by considering it as their topmost priorities.
In the 2014 and 2019 Haryana Assembly polls, Sharma won the election from Ballabhgarh Vidhan Sabha Constituency by defeating Congress candidate both the time.
In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, Sharma reveals his political journey and priorities as a Haryana Minister: Excerpts from the interview:
What will be your first priority being Cabinet Minister of the newly formed BJP-JJP Government?
As a Minister, providing better services to the people is my topmost priority. It is a great opportunity for me to serve the people of the State as a Cabinet Minister. I will try my best to meet the expectations of the common people and also try to bring efficiency in the departments allocated to me.
What instructions did you give to your department officers in the first meeting?
In an interaction with the officers of departments allocated to me, I made it clear that I want all-round cooperation and dedication on the part of officials. I want to see noticeable change in developmental front. Promises made during the elections will be delivered for the betterment of the people. Officers have been asked to ensure that Ballabgarh and Faridabad emerge as the best places to live in terms of basic and civic amenities. They have also been asked to be active in achieving targets. At the same time, the officers have been told that anyone who does not agree with me is free to get transferred to some other place as no one is above the work that has to be delivered in a transparent manner in the time frame given.
Apart from this, I also inquired about employment fairs held in the State from time to time. It is very important for industrial training institutes to have their own buildings and adequate number of instructors. We need dedicated instructors then only departments will be able to give proper training to the youth. Haryana Staff Selection Commission has been asked to fill the vacant posts of various categories including Instructor in the department on the priority basis. I assured that the officers of the department would get all kinds of support on my behalf.
There has been reports of shortage of public buses plying on roads of the State. People have to wait for long hours for public buses. How you will address public concern?
It is true that there has been shortage of public buses in the State. Being a Minister, my first priority is to purchase more buses to address the public concerns. I want to assure the people that more public buses will be purchased and brought on roads without delay.
Safety of women is a major concern. Women are to be felt safe and secure in public buses, what are you going to do this direction?
The transfer department officers have been asked to purchase additional buses. During the purchase of new buses, the officers have been asked to look into all the aspects including passenger’s safety, women’s security and installation of latest equipment technology in buses. In addition to this, they have also been told to ensure that all new buses are equipped with cameras, LED destination boards and GPS devices for tracking of buses in real time. Each row of seat will be equipped with mobile charging mobile charging points among others. We will lay emphasis to provide better facilities for those using state transport buses in the State. For the safety and security of the women and girls, we have decided to start women-special buses under the “Chatra Parivahan Suraksha Yojana” on pilot basis in five districts namely Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Karnal and Kurukshetra. The special buses are being started keeping in view the security of girl’s students. The women police constable would also be deputed in each such bus so as to keep a vigil on the anti-social elements.
You have been allocated two important departments of transport and mining. Oppositions are raising scams in both the departments. According to opposition leaders, discrepancies have been found in the Haryana Roadways bus tender scheme for the hiring of 510 private buses under the KM scheme (scam worth Rs 80-90 crore). The government has therefore cancelled the entire tender scheme and now an enquiry is likely to be conducted in the alleged scam. Your comment
There is nothing to say on these issues as our leaders have already clarified their stand regarding kilometer scheme. As far as transport department is concerned, new buses will be bought and transparency will be maintained. Haryana Roadways is short of buses. Now the number of buses in the Haryana Roadways fleet is 3,850, which is less in terms of population of the State. There has been shortage of buses plying on the roads of the state. People are facing inconvenience due to this. Very soon, department will purchase new buses. Moreover, the Congress party has lost its moral right to raise the issue of scam as its leaders have been allegedly involved in several scams. Cases against their (Congress) leaders are being investigating by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or other agencies or pending before the Court.
Congress has raised the issue of mining scam referring to CAG’s report. According to Congress leaders, the CAG report had exposed the nexus between the Khattar government and mining contractors. Your comment
Being a Haryana Mines and Geology Minister, I want to assure that a proper and thorough investigation of alleged mining scam mentioned in CAG report which was tabled in the floor of Vidhan Sabha will be done, followed by action against the illegal mining operators and violators in State. Congress leaders have been behaving like novices. They should be aware that whenever an issue is raised by CAG in its report, the same goes to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which recommends action. We will take action as per PAC report.
What steps are you taking to check illegal mining?
In the recent meeting with the department officers, we have directed them to take all possible measures to check illegal mining across the State. No one should be spared if involved in illegal mining. The officers have also been directed to use technology and satellite imagery to check illegal mining. The aim behind taking the help of technology is to keep a check on illegal mining activity as some areas are inaccessible and difficult to approach for the enforcement staff. We have called another meeting with the department officers and further action will be taken to check on illegal mining completely in the State.
You started your political career from Indian National Lok Dal but later joined BJP. How has been your political journey so far?
I was actively involved in politics since my college days. I have done MA in History from JLN College, Faridabad. Currently I am also president of Zila Braham Sabha, Faridabad as well as president of Shakti Market Association. It is true that I started my political career from INLD. I contested election first time on INLD ticket in 2009 but lost. As I was associated with RSS during college days so later decided to join BJP.
What are the priorities for your constituency?
People of my constituency belong of all parts of the country. I have been in touch with them throughout day and night. Politics is a 24 hour job for me. I give maximum time to public life. Promises made during the elections will be delivered for the betterment of the people. Officers have been asked to ensure that Ballabgarh and Faridabad emerge as the best places to live in terms of basic and civic amenities.
Opposition says both BJP and JJP fought against each other. Now they have formed coalition government. The coalition government will not complete its tenure of five years. Your comment
Opposition may say anything on coalition government. But we respect the mandate of the people. Both the parties have decided to form stable government in the State. Common minimum programme has been made to fulfill the promises made by both the parties in the form of declaring their manifestos. Promises made by both the parties during the election will be fulfilled. This coalition government will complete its tenure.
What are you offering to youth as a Minister?
While reviewing various programmes and schemes of the departments, it has been informed that Haryana has got first place in the country for the implementation of the successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. At present, the department is providing skill-based training to the unemployed youth of the State through a vast network of 172 government ITIs and 246 private ITIs under the Craftsman Training Scheme, so that they can get jobs easily. The Engineering and non-engineering trade courses of one and two years duration are being offered in these institutions. At the time of the formation of Haryana in the year 1966, there were 48 government ITIs in the State with an enrolment capacity of 7156. Now the number of government and private ITIs in the State is 418 with 91716 sanctioned seats in 80 different trades.
What are courses related to skill development being started?
A course in the German language has been started in the Vishwakarma Skill University, which will especially benefit the State youth. The University will be opening a feeder school (a school from which many or most students progress to a particular higher-level educational institution), in which children interested in sports will be admitted in the 9th grade and only those associated with the respective disciplines will take their admission test.
What are key areas of development in your departments? What are the steps being taken to encourage skill development among youth of the State?
Being a minister, I want to inform that several steps have been taken by the department to encourage skill development among the youth and to ensure that they get employment. In this direction, ITI Star Rating Portal has been started for the students who want to take training in industrial training institutes of the State. It is a unique portal of its kind across the country which is proving to be a milestone for the students in relation to selecting ITI. This portal is also linked with the online admission portal. During the meeting it has been decided by the Haryana School Education Board, Bhiwani to give the equivalents of class X and XII to all ITI students.
Unemployment is a big issue in the State. How will this be addressed?
Youth of the State will be given skill development training. Other steps will also be taken to address unemployment issues in the state.