Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar on Monday said most of the decisions taken by the previous Congress Government in the State during last one or two years of its ten-year rule were politically motivated and these included reservation for five castes including Jats.
Manohar lal was addressing the leaders and representatives of Jat and five other communities, who called on Khattar to thank him for getting The Haryana Backward Classes (Reservation in Services and Admission in Educational Institutions) Bill, 2016 passed.
The Chief Minister said that the previous Government in the State had politicised the issue of reservation and added that even maximum decisions they took during their last one-two years were either politically motivated or had vested interests.
On the other hand, he said that the present State Government took the decision of giving reservation in its first year itself and got passed a Bill for the same in the beginning of its second year. The present State Government has, during its more than one year, taken decisions without any political consideration, he added.
While referring to the incidents of violence that occurred during the Jat reservation agitation from February 18 to 22 in the State, the Chief Minister said that those who lost life and property during the agitation were being given compensation. In maximum cases, compensation has already been distributed to the affected persons. A number of steps have been taken by the State Government during last one month to promote communal harmony.
Sadbhawna Week has been celebrated to infuse among the people, a sense of unity and brotherhood. A day before, Samrasta Diwas was organised at Rohtak but much more needs to be done in this direction, said he.
He urged the people to strongly counter those people who try to divide the society on caste lines.
Manohar lal said that during its first year tenure, the present Government has taken several decisions for the benefit of people belonging to all sections of the society. He said that while compensation amounting to about `1100 crore was distributed among the farmers on account of damage to crops due to unseasonal rain and hailstorm last year, `967 crore was distributed as compensation to cotton growers for crop loss due to white fly recently.
While describing the present State Government as pro-farmer and pro-poor, the Chief Minister said that schemes have been prepared for the welfare of the poor including those living Below Poverty line (BPl) so that they do not get deprived of basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter.
Speaking on this occasion, Finance Minister Capt. Abhimanyu said that the previous Government whether in the Centre or the State usually took decisions in their last year of tenure just to woo the voters in elections.
He said that Congress always worked to divide the society and created new controversies whereas the BJP has always worked towards strengthening the unity and integrity.