Chandigarh, December 19- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal  said that in 2015-16 as per the data of NITI Aayog, the State's poverty rate was at 11.88 percent.

"In 2014, when we came to power, dedicated efforts were made and because of this, the said rate has come down to 7.07 percent in 2019-21, which is a reduction of more than 4 percent. As a result, 14,29,341 people in Haryana have risen above the poverty line,” said Sh. Manohar  Lal while speaking during the concluding day of the winter session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today.

He said that the economic criteria set for BPL across the country is Rs. 1.20 lakh, while in Haryana, the present state government has raised this limit to Rs. 1.80 lakh. This has allowed more people to benefit from various schemes, including ration cards and the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

The Chief Minister clarified that on the demand of Arhitya , the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board had issued a notification to charge lump sum fees for fruits and vegetables on the basis of market fees collected in the last financial year. According to this notification, the amount is to be increased by 10 percent every year.

“It seems that Arhitya got confused with the notification language. So today, I clarify that instead of the price, the tax they pay will be increased by 10 percent next year,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

He further informed  that according to the notification, this 10 percent increase has been frozen for 2 years, that is, this 10 percent increase will be applicable from March 2025.

Government Girls College in Jamni village will soon be constructed

The Chief Minister further informed that the construction of a government girls' college, Pillukhera, Jind will soon commence at a cost of Rs. 29.51 crore on 8 acres of land identified  in Jamni village. Additionally, administrative approval has been granted for the construction of a new building for Government College, Israna, to be built  at a cost of Rs. 27.92 crore, and construction will begin soon by the Public Works Department.

He further informed that Rs. 6.70 crore has been released for the construction of an auditorium in Ateli College. 36 percent of the work has been completed, and it is expected to be completed by April 30, 2024, he shared.

Sh. Manohar Lal said that the process of purchasing a CR machine for Firozpur Jhirka Hospital has been completed through the High Powered Purchase Committee. The Health Department will soon make the machine available, he said.

He said that the government is working swiftly on the maintenance of roads in the state. Currently, the focus is on the repair, widening, and strengthening of existing roads. If needed, the process for building new roads will be adopted later. The repair of roads damaged due to recent floods is being prioritised, said Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister announced that the announcement to build an international sports stadium in the village Khandra, the hometown of Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, will soon be fulfilled. According to the villagers' wishes, sports stadium to be constructed on an area of 15-acre in the village, but a case related to the said land is pending in the Revenue Court. Both parties have agreed to withdraw the case, and soon the construction of the stadium will begin there, informed Sh. Manohar Lal.

Regarding the demand of upgrading of 150 bedded hospital to 200 beds in Rewari district, the Chief Minister said that approval has already been given to expand the 150 bedded hospital in Rewari to 200 beds. But due to lack of space in the hospital premises, it is not possible to arrange 50 additional beds. Therefore, 5 acres of land has been identified for a 50 bed complex in village Gokalgarh and will be constructed soon, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.