Chandigarh, August 15: Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal said that Haryana would soon become a policy driven state where welfare schemes and policies would be prepared as per the need of the society and people would not be required to raise any demand for the same. For this, a data-base of all families in the state is being prepared on the pattern of developed countries to ensure that people get the benefit of various social security schemes at their doorstep, he added.

Mr Manohar Lal was addressing the gathering after unfurling the National Flag at the 73rd Independence Day celebrations in Sonipat today.

Earlier, he inspected the parade and took salute from the marching contingent of police, home guard and National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Bharat Scout and Guides.

The Chief Minister said that each family in the State would be provided with a unique Identification number. He said that as welfare schemes and policies would be prepared keeping in view the requirement of people, they need not to resort to dharnas or agitations to press for their demand for the schemes.

Congratulating the people of Haryana on the occasion of Independence Day, the Chief Minister said that the present State Government during its tenure so far has worked honestly for the welfare of all sections of society. We are satisfied with our performance but much more needs to be done, he said assuring the people that the government would further expedite its pace of development in the coming time to take Haryana to new heights.

The Chief Minister said that earlier, the development projects were prepared keeping an eye on the political benefits. Under the able guidance and leadership of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi, the State Government worked with the motto of Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas and Haryana Ek Haryanvi Ek and ensured uniform development in all 22 districts and 90 assembly constituencies of the State without any discrimination.

Paying rich tributes to the martyrs and great freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the independence of the country, he said that this Independence Day has brought more cheer to us as ten days back, the people of Jammu and Kashmir got freed from article 370 and 35-A. He thanked Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Mr Amit Shah for this historic step and said that by repealing this Article; they have honoured the public sentiments. The Article 370 and 35-A was a major obstacle in connecting people of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India, he said adding that our central leadership has completing the remaining work of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel of nation integration.

While describing this step as a real tribute to our brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the security of people in the Kashmir valley and also the unity and integrity of the country, the Chief Minister said that bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories would open new avenues of progress and employment there. Apart from this, law and order situation would become more strengthen which would result in reducing the number of causalities of defense personnel’s. He said that large number of youth from Haryana has sacrificed their lives in Jammu and Kashmir and their sacrifice could never be forgotten. Though Haryana is a small state having 2 per cent of total population of the country, every 10th soldier in the armed forces hailed from Haryana, he added.

He said that the present State Government is committed for the welfare of family members and dependents of martyrs and ex-servicemen. The monthly pension being given to freedom fighters or their widows has been increased to Rs 25,000. Apart from this, the amount of ex-gratia to the family members of martyrs has been enhanced to Rs 50 lakh. He said that during the tenure of present Government, government jobs have been given to 292 dependents of martyrs of the State including those of 1971 war.

While describing Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal as the life line of the State, the Chief Minister said that political parties should refrain from using this issue to further their political interests. He said that we are also committed to get our share of Ravi-Beas water. With a view to preserve underground water in the State, the State Government has started a scheme of micro irrigation in 38 blocks. Also, Jal Hi Jeevan Yojana has been started under which farmers are being encouraged to adopt crops requiring less water like Maize and Arhar. The scheme has got overwhelming response from the farmers and about 50,000 acres under paddy crop has been reduced.

Mr Manohar Lal said that when he assumed the charge of Chief Minister of Haryana, rampant corruption was prevailing in the State especially in government jobs. Though it was a tough task but we took it as a challenge and achieved success in keeping a tab on corruption by making use of Information Technology. We have converted corruption in Jobs to mission merit, he added.

He said that as a result of efforts made by the State Government, the faith of entrepreneurs have increased and they have started setting up more units in the State. Haryana has reached to number one position among Northern States in terms of ease of doing business and third in the country. In terms of export, Haryana is at number 5th position in the country. Its GDP is higher than the national average. It also ranks number one in the country in per-capita income except small states like Delhi and Goa.

The Chief Minister said that with the cooperation of people of the State, every village and town in the State has become ODF. This has not only brought a positive change in the lives of people but also improved the health of people considerably. He said that with a view to protect the women from smoke, free of cost LPG connections have been distributed to about 9 lakh poor families in the State under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Haryana has been declared as a kerosene free state.

He said that with a view to ensure that people get the benefit of various welfare schemes and services of the State Government at their door step, 115 Antyodaya and Saral Kendras and 4000 Atal Seva Kendras have been opened. Any citizen of the State could avail the benefit of 491 schemes and services of 37 departments online through a single click, he added. He said that in order to make sure that people do not need to visit Chandigarh for their complaints; CM Window has been opened in each district. About 6 lakh complaints have so far been resolved through his system, he further added.

The Chief Minister said that women security is among the priority areas of the State Government. He said that 31 Women Police Stations have been opened to ensure that they do not hesitate in lodging their complaints. Apart from this, to further strengthen the women security, Durga Shakti App and Durga Shakti Rapid Action Force has been constituted. While referring to the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme, he said that as a result of generating awareness about female feticide and strict vigil as well as action at the administration level, precious lives of 40,000 daughters have been saved. Apart from this, special emphasis has been given on the women education. In tenure of just less than five years, 31 new girls college has been opened in the State. Contrary to this, only 31 colleges were opened earlier in 48 years after the formation of Haryana as an independent state.

He said that as prosperity of the country and state lies in the prosperity of farmers, the State Government has always given the interest of farmers, top priority. In line of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi’s vision, we are committed to double the farmer’s income by 2022. He said that ‘Meri Fasal-Mera Byora’ portal has been launched to ensure that the benefit of their hard work directly reach to them. Registration of 1.60 lakh farmers have so far been done under this, he added.

The Chief Minister said that electricity is pivotal for development and the State Government has taken several steps to further strengthen the transmission system in the State. While the power supply has been considerably increased, historical reduction has been made in the electricity charges. As a result of this, the electricity bill of 42 lakh consumers has reduced to almost 50 per cent. Under the ‘Mhara Gaon-Jagmag Gaon’ scheme, 24 hour electricity is being supplied to about 4000 villages including 8 districts of the State. While describing better connectivity as a requirement of economic development, he said that the road-rail system has been further strengthened. The first airport of the State has been developed in Hisar and the long pending Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway has been completed and made operational.

The Chief Minister said that with a view to ensure balanced industrial development in the State, Enterprises Promotion Policy has been prepared. The policy has yielded positive results as 62,000 industries have been set up during the tenure of present State Government in which 5.50 lakh people got employment. He said that the Centre Government has approved 484 crore for the setting up of rail coach repair factory in village Barhi, district Sonipat.

He said that as a result of the sports policy of the State Government and incentives to the sports person, the sports person of the State has brought laurels to the State and Country by winning medals at various national and international level competitions. He said that provision of reservation has been made for the sportsperson in direct recruitment on class I to Class IV government jobs. He said that 13,000 sports person of the State participating in different national and international sports events have so far been distributed award money of more than Rs 303 crore. He said that third Sports University of the Country is being set up in Rai, Sonipat.

Mr Manohar Lal said that to ensure that the poor do not remain deprived of treatment due to want of money, Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has been started in the State. As many as 38,000 patients have received claims under the scheme so far, he added. He said that to ensure the participation of villagers in the development process of rural areas, Inter District Council has been constituted. To make sure that the villagers do not require to make frequent rounds of government offices for their work, 1830 gram sachivalyas equipped with e-connectivity facility has been established.

He said that efforts are being made to further strengthen the basic amenities in urban areas. He said that 680 illegal colonies which lacked civil amenities and basic infrastructure have been regularized. Apart from this, about Rs 2500 crore is being spent under the AMRUT scheme for drinking water supply, sewerage, green belt and public transportation in 20 towns. The present State Government has also given permission for the construction of fourth storey in sectors of Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP). As far as steps for the welfare of state government employees are concerned, he said that the ex-gratia scheme has been re-started after a gap of 32 years. Besides, the ambit of cashless medical facility has been increased from 7 diseases to all indoor diseases.

Earlier, the Chief Minister paid tributes at War Memorial. He also planted saplings and exhorted the people to plant maximum plants and also ensures their upkeep.

On this occasion, he also honoured the war widows by presenting them by shawls. He also flagged off 15 ambulances allotted to district Sonipat under National Health Mission.

He also honoured winners of cultural programme, parade contingent, officers and employees of district administration for their outstanding performance.

Later, he also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of seven projects for districts sonipat costing over Rs 26.32 crore. These included inauguration of new building of Government Senior Secondary School, Karewadi at a cost of Rs 295.56 lakh and bridge over Jharotha-Narela road on Drain No. 8 constructed at a cost of Rs 354.59 lakh, strengthening and widening of Kathura Dhanana road to be constructed at a cost of Rs 580.09 lakh, building of ITI Juan to be constructed at a cost of Rs 684.44 lakh, PHC building at Moi Mazri village to be constructed at a cost of RS 229.30 lakh, PHC building of Ahulana to be constructed at a cost of Rs 261.42 lakh and foundation stone of road from Rehmana to Kailana to be constructed at a cost of Rs 227.46 lakh.

Among those present on this occasion included Member of Parliament Mr Ramesh Kaushik, Chairperson, Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) Mrs Krishna Gehlawat, Media Adviser to Chief Minister, Mr Rajiv Jain, Additional Director General of Police, CID Mr Anil Rao, ADGP Law and Order Mr Navdeep Virk, IG Rohtak Range Mr Sandeep Khirwar, Deputy Commissioner Dr Anshaj Singh, Superintendent of Police Mrs Partiksha Godara, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr Jaibir Arya, SDM Mr Vijay Singh, District BJP President Dr Dharamveer Nandal and BJP Vice President Mrs Kavita Chaudhary.