Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Thursday presented a report card on the completion of nine years of his government, highlighting several achievements as well as people-oriented and public welfare programmes carried out in his tenure.
Khattar also recalled that when the BJP formed the government in Haryana for the first time on its own in 2014, many people questioned his capability in running the government as he was apparently targeting his political opponents. "We have now completed four years of the second term," he said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, which fell short of majority in the 2019 assembly polls, formed a post-poll alliance with Jannayak Janta Party to form the government.
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Addressing the media here and flanked by Minister Kanwar Pal and senior officers of his government, Khattar said his government had announced to work on five S--'Shiksha, Swasth, Suraksha, 'Swambhiman' and 'Swavlamban' with good governance.
Khattar said when he took over the reins of the state in 2014, everybody knew what was the state of governance at that time as he was targeting the previous Congress government.
There were talks of discrimination, corruption and there was an atmosphere of despair at that time, he said.
"After being fed up with the atmosphere of despair, the people of Haryana chose this government with hope," he added.
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He also said questions were raised at that time that "this man does not have any experience and without any experience, how many days will he be able to run the government".
Recalling his sharp response to the Congress in 2014 after becoming chief minister, Khattar said, "We don't have the kind of experience they had of indulging in loot and corruption, but I certainly have the experience of serving the people".
"Nepotism and regionalism were replaced by a commitment to equitable development," he said.
The 69-year-old senior BJP leader spoke about several plans and programmes including his government's flagship Parivar Pehchan Patra (family ID scheme), and Meri Fasal Mera Byora, compensation to farmers, welfare schemes for the poor and other sections etc as he emphasized on using the technology for good governance.
The PPP (family ID) helps in framing policies and programmes for the welfare of people, he said.
He also said the prime minister had also praised the state's PPP scheme and even asked the states to examine the possibility of implementing it.
Khattar said the state's sex ratio (number of females per 1,000 of males) has improved from 871 in 2014 to 932 at present, adding that he expects it to improve further.
On the agriculture front, Khattar said his government raised the compensation amount for crop loss because of natural calamity from Rs 6,000 per acre in 2013 to Rs 15,000 per acre.
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He said in the last nine years, his government disbursed a compensation of Rs 11,000 crore to farmers while the previous government paid Rs 1,158 crore in 10 years.
On the health segment, Khattar said the number of medical colleges in the state rose to 15 under his government as against six in 2014, adding that eight more medical colleges will come up in the state.
The number of MBBS seats has risen to 2,185 as of now in the state as against 700 in 2014, the chief minister said.
The assembly elections are due in Haryana next year.
"The state's economic landscape transformed with abundant agricultural production benefiting farmers, thriving industries creating jobs, and world-class infrastructure attracting economic growth and investments. Social welfare initiatives uplifted marginalised populations, instilling hope and self-reliance in the state's youth, thereby contributing to overall progress," he said.
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Highlighting nine significant tasks in nine years, Khattar said during the present state government's tenure, many milestones have been achieved, but primarily, creating Parivar Pehchan Patra, "we are effectively providing the benefit of 397 schemes and services to 45 lakh families from the comfort of their homes".
Clean drinking water has been provided through pipelines to every rural household (31.41 lakh households), and 24-hour electricity is being supplied to 5,791 villages (86 per cent of the total villages), he said.
The innovative Antyodaya Saral Portal has brought 675 schemes and services from 54 departments online, connecting the government directly with its citizens. This not only instilled confidence but also led to the removal of 36.75 lakh fake beneficiaries from 141 schemes, he said.
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Khattar said the state government had started "Mission Merit" and based on transparency, 1.10 lakh youths have got government jobs and there are plans to provide 60,000 more jobs.
He said the government has distributed 5.50 lakh tablets to students in government schools, paving the way for an educational revolution. E-learning is no longer a luxury but a reality for the youth of Haryana, he said.
He also talked about steps taken for women empowerment and empowering the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
He asserted that the present state government's tenure has been marked by a transformative change in the state's administrative systems.
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The core philosophy of 'Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas-Sabka Vishwas' became the guiding principle of governance. This approach fostered an environment of trust, inclusivity, and active citizen participation, he added.
"With numerous radical reforms, the state government instilled a culture of sensitivity and transparency. The administration became more accountable, responsive, and accessible to the people it served. No department remained untouched by e-governance reforms, making the government more approachable and efficient," he said.
During nine years, the government has also focused on economic growth, industrial development, and the overall well-being of its residents, he said.
He said the state's exports have surged from Rs 68,032 crore in 2014 to Rs 2,45,453 crore in the fiscal year 2022-23, demonstrating a remarkable upswing in economic prosperity.
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He said the government's strategy has been to transcend divisive issues such as casteism, regionalism, and nepotism, with a primary focus on fostering holistic development in the state.
He said that while the government has implemented many welfare schemes for youth, women and farmers, it has also paid special attention to the welfare of soldiers and paramilitary.
-With PTI Input
