Anil K Vij, six-time MLA from Ambala Cantonment who has the portfolios of Home, Urban Local Bodies, Health, Medical Education and Research Ayush, Technical Education and Science and Technology in the BJP-JJP coalition Government in Haryana says emphasis is being laid to provide better services to the people of the State. He says Health and Police departments will be modernised by equipping them with latest technology.
Better health services will be provided to the intended beneficiaries. Police have been directed to lodge an FIR if any people approach them followed by taking swift action. Police need to interact with the people friendly but hit hard on criminals and offenders. Apart from this, our priorities are to make Haryana free from drug menace.
Vij listed drug menace as his priority and announced “Operation Prahar” to fight it in the State.
His reputation as “activist-minister” seems to have preceded him as the cops seem apprehensive about what to expect in the coming days since he is better known for conducting surprise checks and acting against shirkers. After assuming charge, he orders suspension of a sub-inspector after being found absent on her assigned duty, during his surprise inspection.
The Home Minister minced no words in admitting that this activism would be carried forward into this term as well. He said my style of working is that I can go anywhere and raid any place anytime. Nobody should be scared of me. They (officials) need to work. I will not tolerate laxity. My message to the officials is clear— perform or perish. If any official feels that one cannot perform, they can take voluntary retirement.
Enjoying a clean image, he is popular among his supporters and voters who like his straight forwardness and dedication. He is popularly called as Babaji as he dons a flowing beard.
In 2015, when Vij was the state Health Minister, he had alleged that the CID was 'spying' on him as he had caught an officer of the department. He had earlier also announced his support for whistleblower IAS officer Ashok Khemka when his own government started transferring him from one department to another. However, replying on recent transfer of IAS officers including Khemka, he said that Chief Minister has prerogative to appoint the officers in any departments.
In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, Vij reveals his political journey and priorities as a Haryana cabinet minister. Excerpts from the interview:
What will be your first priority being Cabinet Minister of the newly formed BJP-JJP Government?
It is a great opportunity for me to serve the people of the State again as a Cabinet Minister. I will try my best to meet the expectations of the common people and try to bring efficiency in the departments allocated to me. Working for the people and delivery of services to the intended beneficiaries are my priority.
You became cabinet minister second time after winning Assembly election fir sixth time. How do you view your this new role?
I am a sixth time MLA from Ambala Cantt and minister for the second time. This is an opportunity for me to work for the people again. I will use to the best of my ability to serve the people. I want to ensure everyone’s progress under this Government.
You worked as a Minister during BJP-led government’s last tenure. Now you are again a cabinet minister having important portfolios like Home, Health and Urban Local Bodies among others. Do you think this coalition government will complete its five years term? What are challenges ahead?
First of all, I want to say that there is no challenge in the next five years before the government. BJP-JJP will complete its five year term smoothly. All round development took place in the last five years. Our government has done a lot but there is always scope for improvement. Both the parties have same goal of working for the people and betterment of the State. I see this as an opportunity for us to work for holistic development of the people. As a cabinet minister I will also work hard on improving the delivery for the intended beneficiaries.
How has been your political journey so far?
My political career started as Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) leader. Before joining politics, I worked in Bank. I had contested and won my first Assembly election in 1990 which was a bypoll after the seat had fallen vacant following election of late Sushma Swaraj to the Upper House. I contested my seventh Assembly election in 2019. Out of seven Assembly elections, I won six elections from Ambala Cantonment constituency while two election as an Independent candidate while remaining on BJP ticket.
What are priorities for your constituency?
People of the Constituency have been supporting me since I started my career in politics. Politics is my 24 hour job. I give maximum time to public life. I thank people of my constituency for showing faith and electing me for the sixth time. It's because of the blessings and love of the people only that I got an opportunity to serve them sixth time as an MLA. Under the leadership of Manohar Lal Khattar, all round development has been taken place in the last five years. People have supported us again. Work for public welfare will continue as I have been doing it after becoming public representatives. Every time, the scope for the development is always there. Just like the previous tenure, this time too the state government is dedicated to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and welfare of the people. All the promises made during election will be delivered.
Opposition parties raised the issue of highest rate of crime in Haryana. Your comment
Continuous efforts are being taken to check crime in the State. I am satisfied with functioning of the police department. It will be further modernised by equipping them with latest technology. Police have been directed to lodge FIR if people approach them followed by taking swift action. Police need to interact with the people in a friendly manner but but hit hard on criminals and offenders.
Opposition says both BJP and JJP fought against each other. Now they have formed coalition government. Will both the parties be able to implement promises made in their manifestos?
We respect the mandate of the people. We have formed Common Minimum Programme Committee to look into the manifestos of both the parties. There are about 400 promises made in the manifestos of the two parties. There are about 70 promises which are common to both. Many promises of BJP-JJP are similar and its implementation has already begun. Party has made me the chairman of Common Minimum Programme (CMP) Committee. The manifestos of both parities BJP and JJP were discussed in the meeting recently. The departments have been sent to remove the financial and legal hurdles in the implementation of manifestos of both the parties. CMP will meet from time to time. The government has already fulfilled its promises of shifting the liquor vends outside the villages and successful conduct of Haryana Teachers Eligibility Test.
Large number of youth is addicted to drugs. How you will check drug peddling?
My priority is to make Haryana free from drug menace. Based on the information, the police are launching an all-out attack on the drug menace. ‘Operation Prahar’ has been launched and we will raid hideouts, cut supply lines and nab the guilty. If the existing jails lack space to house those on the other side of law, we will construct more jails. Nobody will be spared. I want the state to be drug-free. The sale of illicit liquor and psychotropic substances, gambling, and “satta” would also be targeted.
You have been flooded with complaints after assuming charge of the Home Department. There have been reports of police not registering complaints at police stations. Will you ensure that complaints are registered after becoming Home Minister of the State?
My inbox, residence and office have been constantly receiving letters of grievances. Also on my agenda is clearing the pendency of cases. The cops must fall in line. I have told them that every complainant must get justice. Any laxity in dealing with a particular case, be prepared to face action. With me at the helm, people can expect to see the changes they want in the Police Department.
What is the mantra of wining the elections for the sixth time?
I do man-to-man campaigning. I have never organised a rally in my constituency. I personally meet the people and they also come to my home to meet me. After this, I go door-to-door and do meetings. I also go shop-to-shop. This is how I do the campaigning.
What are steps being taken to provide facilities to the policemen?
A police welfare committee will be formed to address the concerns of the cops. I have seen officers working on empty stomach. Cops on duty will be delivered food. Facilities at police stations will be upgraded and houses near cities will be constructed even if it entails buying land. I want a state-of-the-art police station on the lines of the one shown in the serial “CID”. The police have to name the technology and equipment they need, and it will be made available right away.
What are key areas of development in police department?
Haryana Police will be modernised to effectively tackle the menace of drugs, trafficking and other criminal activities. The results would be evident soon. People will certainly see a change in the working of the department. The police force and mobile forensic units will be equipped with modern equipment to improve law and order. A grievance redressal cell has been set upto handle such complaints at the headquarters level. The Dial100 service will go centralised and will be operated from Panchkula headquarters.
Being a Minister of Urban Local Bodies, what are you promising to the people of the State?
We will soon develop a mobile application (App) to help people register complaints related to faulty streetlights, broken roads, a poor drainage system, garbage and houses without having proper drinking water facilities. Soon after getting the complaints on the App, officers have been ensured that the water supply and cleanliness issue gets resolved in three hours.
Apart from this, the office will also ensure that all the complaints related to faulty street lights should be resolved in three hours. If the complaints are not resolved in the stipulated time period then the heavy penalty will be imposed on the contractor or the people concerned. For regular and timely attendance of employees in the department, the attendance of all regular, contract and contract employees will be punched through the biometric system. This attendance record will also be linked to the e-salary of the employees so that action can be taken against the employees coming late to office and remaining absent from the job.