With the maiden BJP Government in Haryana completing four years in office, Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Thursday said that the fifth year being the poll year, his government will further expedite the development process of the state.
“The government has ensured graft free and transparent administration, merit in government job, online delivery of services and efficient financial management during its four year rule,” said Manohar Lal while addressing a press conference in Panchkula near here.
The Chief Minister who was flanked by many ministerial colleagues, including Finance Minister Capt. Abhimanyu, Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma, Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar and others also enlisted the achievements of his government.
“Out of the total 176 promises made in the election manifesto, 160 have been fulfilled. The remaining are in the process which would also be completed soon. The social security pension including the old age allowance would be enhanced from Rs 1800 per month to Rs 2000 per month with effect from November 1,” he said.
We made only those announcements which could be fulfilled, unlike the previous government where announcements were made without making adequate budgetary provisions, he said while quoting example that the previous Congress government had, on November 1, 2013, made several big announcements but later the officers concerned found that required budget was not made available to implement the same.
When asked about the status of his government’s announcements, Manohar Lal said that the previous government on an average had made 6500 announcements during their ten years, whereas we have made 6800 announcements in four years. The work on the announcements made in the 2018 is in progress and it would be completed in 2019, he added.
In the last four years, the budget of the state has been increased by 90 per cent and it would further increased to 100 per cent by the end of fifth year of the present State Government for the welfare of people, the Chief Minister said.
On employment scenario, he said that about 40,000 appointments have been made so far though Haryana Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) and 30,000 to 40,000 more appointments would be made next year.
Hitting out at the previous State Government, the first time MLA Manohar Lal said that his predecessors in the state used the power as an object of enjoyment.
Contrary to this, we are working with the spirit to serve the people. During the previous governments, the people saw large scale corruption, nepotism and regionalism.
In the politics of over 48 years, they worked to divide the society on the caste lines, he alleged while hitting out at the opposition parties, INLD and Congress, but without naming them.
“But after taking over the reign in the State, we gave the slogan of ‘Haryana Ek Haryanvi Ek’ and bring about a change in the system by rising above the party lines,” the Chief Minister added.
On the next year’s election agenda, he said that we have ensured graft free administration unlike previous government.
Replying to another question related to frequent strikes by State Government employees, the Chief Minister said that his government has taken several decisions in the interest of government employees’ and increased the salary of almost every category be it anganwadi workers, Asha workers or roadways employees. Haryana is the first state in the country to give benefit of seventh pay commission to its employees including the allowances, he said.
The issues of employees are addressed from time to time. The issue of increasing House Rent Allowance (HRA) is under the consideration of the government. Haryana is also the first State in the country to give one weekly off to the police personnel, he added.
On KMP Expressway project, he said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon inaugurate the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway. Along the 185 kms long expressway, five big towns would be developed as economic corridor. A draft has been prepared for the setting up of these towns and suggestions have been invited from the stakeholders. The draft would be finalized soon, he added.
Manohar Lal, who took over the top post in Haryana on October 26, 2014, also listed implementation of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Bhavantar Barpai Yojana, declaration of Haryana as Open Defecation Free, massive plantation drives, among others as his government’s achievements.
“The efforts made by the state in the effective implementation of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme has earned appreciation at national and international level. The figure of gender ratio in the state 25 years back were more alarming as it dipped between 700 to 800 girls per 1000 boys,” the Chief Minister said.
He further said that Haryana has already been declared open defecation free (ODF) and now the state is heading towards achieving ODF plus status. Haryana also bagged first position in the Swacchta Sarvekshan Grameen conducted three months earlier, he added.
Ayushmaan Bharat scheme launched for mediapersons
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also handed over cards of Ayushmaan Bharat: Haryana Health Protection Mission (PMJAY) to the media persons.
He said that now the accredited and recognized mediapersons of the state would be covered under the scheme under which they would be provided health cover of Rs five lakh per annum per family.
This would enable them to get medical treatment facility in any recognized government or private hospital in Haryana as well in other states where the scheme is applicable. 265 hospitals including 83 government and 182 private has been registered in the state under the scheme, Manohar Lal.
Similarly, the Life Insurance Scheme of Rs five lakh for mediapersons as announced earlier would also be implemented from November 1, the foundation day of the state, he added.