Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal on Saturday said Haryana Government is focusing on moving towards a high Ease of Living Index for the people of the state after systematically ushering in a new era of corruption free governance and spectacular progress on almost all indicators of human as well as socio economic development.
Speaking during the fifth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi at New Delhi on Saturday, he said Haryana has become Kerosene Free and Open Defecation Free and moved from 14th to the 3rd rank in the Ease of Doing Business and removed the blot of female foeticide.
Congratulating the Prime Minister for the reconstitution of the NITI Aayog, he said that it is a hub of innovation and knowledge for the States to learn from each other and to replicate the successes and good practices of others.
Elaborating on the steps taken by the Government in this direction, Manohar Lal said that being both a leading agrarian and industrial state, the State Government focused on managing and regenerating water sources in a sustainable manner.
He said that ‘Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority’ was set up in 2017 for development, protection, rejuvenation, conservation, construction and management of all the ponds in the state.
The Authority has developed a ‘Pond Data Management Software’ to monitor progress of rejuvenation and development works on over 14,000 water bodies, ancient and new alike. Of these, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority is working on revival of more than 500 water bodies through rain water harvesting.
A comprehensive drainage plan/’zero drain out system’ has also been taken up for Gurugram. The plan includes creation of water harvesting structures, pondage areas, channelization of creeks and construction of recharge wells.
The Chief Minister said that under the scheme- ‘Other Interventions under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana- Per Drop More Crop’, 881 structures have been created and 13,656 hectares of area has benefitted in 10 districts of the State.
In one of the most fragile agro-ecological-zone of the State, 8,771 water harvesting structures including check dams have been created. There is a plan to construct 1,513 structures in 2019-20.
He welcomed the initiative Jal Jeevan Mission- ‘Nal se Jal’ and said that Haryana will participate in this challenge mode mission to increase the piped water supply in the State.
As of now, all the 80 towns have been provided piped water supply in the State. Additionally, under the ‘Maha Gram Yojana’ of the State, the piped-water supply is being extended further in the rural areas in phased manner.
Speaking on the steps for managing any drought situation and relief measures, he said that the preparedness of State administration to provide quick relief to farmers in eventuality of a drought has constantly been reviewed. Drought and Flood Control Rooms have already been activated in the State from May 20, 2019 onwards.
Manohar Lal said that under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’, against Rs 406.27 crore premium collected from farmers, an amount of Rs 1140.98 crore has been distributed to the farmers as compensation in the last three years, this is also more than the total premium of Rs 818.20 crore paid to the insurance companies. Further, adopting a liberal policy, the Government has also given compensation of Rs 12,000 per acre, for the crops damaged due to natural calamity.
He said that a normal 100 days employment is being provided to one family in the State under MGNREGA, which will be increased to 150 days during drought conditions, if required. Further, drinking water supply will be made available through tankers and other measures to the public, in case of drought situation.
He said that the State Government has also announced the Mewat Water Supply Channel to meet the drinking water needs of Mewat area.
A separate budget of Rs 30 crore has been provided to Mewat Development Board for various developmental initiatives under the Scheme for Integrated Development of Mewat Area. ‘Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited’ has undertaken feasibility study for new railway line Sohna-Nuh-Alwar.
He welcomed the creation of Marketing of rural agriculture, horticulture and other allied products, which is an important component of the post-harvest management programme.
He said that the State Government is working in tandem with the Union Government to achieve the target set by Prime Minister to double the income of farmers by 2022 and improve their overall well being.
The seven action points being undertaken in this regard included effective irrigation methods, provision of quality inputs – seeds and fertilizers, prevention of post-harvest losses, promotion of food processing units, creation of e-market, crop insurance and promotion of allied activities – animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries, etc.