Ahead of the Assembly polls in October this year, Haryana Government is on a sop distribution spree to all sections of society. With players from Haryana doing well in the Commonwealth Games, the Government increased the cash award for the medal winners of Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, besides appointing shooter Anisa Sayyed for the post of assistant director in the sports department of the State. The Government has also increased the cash awards for medallists in Asian Masters Athletics Championship and World Masters Athletic Championships.
A decision to this effect was taken by the state cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Chief Minister of Haryana.The cash award for medal winners of Asian Games has been increased from Rs25 lakh to Rs2 crore for gold medallist, from Rs15 lakh to Rs1 crore for silver medallists and Rs10 lakh to Rs50 lakh for bronze medal winners.For Commonwealth Games, cash award has been increased for gold medal from Rs15 lakh to Rs1 crore, silver from Rs10 lakh to Rs50 lakh and bronze Rs5 lakh to Rs25 lakh.
A cash award of Rs62.50 lakh was also announced for Gagan Narang for his achievements in the Commonwealth Games, in relaxation of the Sports Policy of the State.The cash award for medal winners of Asian Masters Athletics Championship and World Masters Athletic Championships has also been increased for gold medal from Rs35,000 to Rs70,000, silver from Rs25,000 to Rs50,000 and bronze from Rs15,000 to Rs30,000.
Cash incentives increased
The Haryana Cabinet doubled the monthly allowance of ladli Social Security Allowance Scheme and monthly allowance admissible to dwarfs and eunuchs from Rs500 to Rs1,000, besides enhancing the income limit under Widow Pension scheme and financial assistance to destitute children scheme. The enhancement in these allowances would be applicable with effect from April 1, 2014.
ladli Social Security Allowance Scheme
Under the ladli Social Security Allowance Scheme, the rate of allowance has been enhanced from Rs500 to Rs 1000 per month. At present 25,963 beneficiaries are getting these benefits under this scheme. This scheme is being implemented in State since January 2006.
Allowance to Dwarf Scheme
After Cabinet nod, the dwarfs in Haryana would be able to get monthly allowance of Rs1,000 instead of Rs500 given earlier. Beneficiaries of this scheme are getting their allowance as per eligibility criteria in the State. The scheme is being implemented since June 1, 2006. There is a budget provision of Rs2 lakh for the current financial year 2014-15 for this scheme in which presently there are 18 beneficiaries.
Allowance to Eunuch Scheme
Similarly, now eunuchs would also get an allowance of Rs1,000 per month instead of Rs500 per month given earlier. This scheme was implemented with effect from June 1, 2006. There is a Budget provision of Rs1.25 lakh for the current financial year 2014-15 for this scheme. At present 14 beneficiaries are getting these benefits under this scheme.
Widow Pension
The Cabinet has revised the income limit from Rs30,000 to Rs2 lakh per annum for availing the benefit. There is a Budget provision of Rs734.70 crore for the current financial year 2014-2015 for this scheme. At present 5, 79,469 beneficiaries are getting benefit under this scheme. The rate of pension remains Rs1,000 per month
Financial Assistance to Destitute Children Scheme
The Cabinet also increased the income criteria from Rs30,000 to Rs2 lakh per annum. There is a Budget provision of Rs95.00 crore for the current financial year 2014-15 for this scheme. At present 1, 53,854 beneficiaries are getting benefits under this scheme.
New scheme ‘Kanyadan’ introduced
On Punjab’s ‘Shagun’ scheme pattern, Haryana Government has also decided to implement a new scheme ‘Kanyadan’ to provide an incentive of Rs11,000 per girl if her wedding is solemnised through mass marriages. An organisation of at least 11 marriages will be construed mass marriage for the purpose of this Scheme. The affidavit must be counter-signed by the concerned organisation organising the mass marriage. The funds of Rs11,000 would be given in the name of the girl only.
VAT exempted on all kinds of pulses
The Cabinet exempted all kinds of pulses from VAT and also reduced the VAT on ‘Khal’ that is oilcake from 5 per cent to 2 per cent. With such exemption, the government will lose more than Rs 3 crore of VAT revenue.
The reduction of VAT on ‘Khal’ that is oilcake will encourage the manufacturers of Khal to conduct more inter-State sales instead of consignment sales or branch transfers and overall increase in the trading activity of Khal in the State.