Uklana MLA Anoop Dhanak, who is also a Minister of State for Archaeology and Museums (independent charge), Labour and Empowerment (attached with deputy Chief Minister) in the BJP-JJP coalition Government in the State, says that his priorities are to address people’s concern on time.
He says he is very happy and thankful to the chief minister and deputy Chief Minister for the decision to construct Guru Ravidas Dham in Kurukshetra.
The Minister says that the State Government is serious about employment generation and efforts are being constantly made to provide employment to youth either in Government or private sector. The State Government has recently announced to implement 75 per cent jobs for local youth in the private
sectors.
Dhanak, who was inducted as Minister of State in the Coalition Government, was awarded for his loyalty to deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala. He was the first INLD MLA who stood by Dushyant when he was expelled from INLD by his grandfather and former CM, OP Chautala.
Dhanak was elected from Uklana (SC) seat of Hisar district for the second time consecutively in 2019 Assembly election.
A native of Rajli village in Hisar, he was once selected for constable’s post but he joined politics and remained a loyal soldier of Dushyant’s father Ajay Singh Chautala.
A graduate in humanities from Jat College in Hisar, he had also served as INLD’s general secretary and also state president Haryana Dhanak Samaj and general secretary Sant Kabir Siksha Samiti Haryana. With his elevation as a minister, Dushyant has also tried to give representation to scheduled caste community, as four of his 10 MLAs belong to the community.
In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, Dhanak reveals his political journey and priorities as a Minister of the State. Excerpts from the interview:
What are the issues being raised by the people in your constituency? What did you instruct to the officials concerned?
Our Constituency which is a part of Hisar Lok Sabha constituency is a rural constituency having an estimated SC population of 26.83 per cent. Being a minister of the State, the expectation of people of my constituency has been very high and will try my best to live up to the expectations of the people. As a minister of State, I will also work hard on improving the delivery for the intended beneficiaries. The officials have been asked to complete ongoing projects and people to be consulted in the draft of the plans or schemes for the constituency.
Your party had promised to build Ravidas temple during election. Now the Chief Minister has declared it. Your comment
I am very thankful to CM Manohar Lal Khattar and deputy Chief Minister for this. According to the ‘Jan Seva Patra’ (manifesto) issued by the JJP in the assembly elections, the BJP-JJP coalition Government of the State has taken a big decision on the promise of building big temple of Sant Ravidas ji in Kurukshetra district. I am happy that now the State Government is going to build the temple. This temple will be the largest saint Ravidas’s temple in the world and for this, the State Government has decided to give five acres of land.
Do you think unemployment is a big issue before the Government?
The State Government is working hard to provide maximum employment to the youth and we are serious about this. Efforts are being constantly made to provide employment to youth either in Government or private sector.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala have recently announced to implement 75 per cent jobs for local youth in the private sectors.
The employment fair was organised in January month in Hisar by the Employment Office. More than 35 companies participated in this fair. Youths from 18 to 40 years attended considerable number of them secured job.
You started your political career from Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). Now you are a Minister in BJP-JJP- led coalition Government in the State. How has your political journey been so far?
I was actively involved in politics since my college life. I joined INLD and won the election in 2014. In 2019, I fought on JJP ticket and became a minister. I was made district general secretary of INLD in 1994-95. In 1996, I was also made district yuva general secretary of INLD. In 2000, I was SC Cell State general secretary. I was district INLD general body secretary in 2003-04. Now I am serving the people as a Minister of State.
What are priorities for your constituency?
I have been in touch with people of my constituency and give maximum time to public life. Work for public welfare will continue as I have been doing it after becoming public representatives. Following consistent efforts, in 2016-17, Government College in Ukalana was made. Working for the people and delivery of services to the intended beneficiaries are my priority.
Oppositions say both BJP and JJP fought against each other. Now they have formed coalition Government. They say this coalition would fall under its own weight. Do you think this Government will complete its five years term?
Nothing to comment on opposition leaders but we firmly believe that this Government will complete its five year tenure. There is no threat to this coalition Government as it is being run smoothly in the State. 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. Unprecedented development has been done in the 100 days of the coalition Government in the State.
Opposition says no agreement has been reach between coalition parties on CMP issue. How do you say CMP is being implemented?
The second meeting of Common Minimum Programme of BJP-JJP-led coalition Government held recently and leaders of both the parties discussed manifestos of BJP, JJP. There are many promises which are similar in both the parties. There will not be any problem to execute the promises made by both the parties. During the meeting both the parties have agreed on 33 points mentioned in the manifesto, the announcement of which will be made after the same will be brought to the notice of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.
What are your priorities?
I want to ensure everyone’s progress under this Government. The State Government has decided that there should not be any delay in giving legal aid to the people belonging to scheduled caste in case of atrocities against them. An order has been issued to ensure that the hoardings or banners should be installed in scheduled caste settlements to make people aware of their rights.
The Government has directed the officers concerned that they need to ascertain the reasons for the withdrawal or cancellation of the case of atrocities against scheduled caste.
It was also decided that two investigating officers including an officer from scheduled caste and others from the General category, should be appointed while investigating the cases related to the atrocities on them.
How do you evaluate 100 days of your Government?
The prohibition on sale of liqour has been implemented in 872 villages of Haryana. These villages had passed the resolution in the Gram Sabha for the closure of liquor contracts.
In the last 100 days, the present State Government launched new projects for the welfare of people and development of the State. Besides it has also accelerated the pace of ongoing development works and prepared the future road map. A decision has been taken to ensure reservation of 75 per cent jobs to unskilled workers of Haryana in the industries of the State.
Apart from this, provision of reservation has been made for Scheduled Castes Students in Post Graduate Courses in Medical Colleges of the State.
To provide social security benefits to eligible families of the State, our Government launched “Mukhyamantri Parivar Samridhi Yojna”.
Guru Ravidas Dham would be constructed in district Kurukshetra over 5 acres of land so that the people could draw inspiration from the life of the great personality.
Large number of other welfare works being done for the betterment of the people and the State.