Chandigarh January 16: Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal said that this time in the state budget, priority would be given to those areas which increase employment avenues. The industrial sector plays a vital role in increasing employment and therefore, the industries giving more employment to the State youth would be incentivize by the State Government, he added.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the pre-budget consultation meeting with the stake holders of the manufacturing sector related to Faridabad and Gurugram in Faridabad late last evening.

He said that we are partners in the development of the state, not givers and takers. He said that the budget shows how much revenue would be received and from which source and under which heads it would be spent. He said that Shri Vishwakarma Skill Development University has been established in district Palwal to make Haryana's youth skilled and employable. He said that various courses have been started in this University as per the industry requirement.

Mr Manohar Lal said that basic amenities are being expanded for the development of industrial sector in the state. For this, new National Highways are being built. Apart from this, work is also being done to provide metro connectivity from Faridabad to Gurugram and upto Delhi Airport. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of metro from Faridabad to Gurugram has been completed, he said adding that Orbital Rail Corridor would be developed from Kundli to Prithla along the KMP expressway so that besides road connectivity, Haryana rail connectivity could be ensured with Himachal, Punjab and other northern states without touching Delhi. He said that there is also a plan to develop new cities along the KMP expressway. A National highway is also being developed from Meerut to Sarai Kale Khan to Alwar.

He said that due to the difficult conditions of acquisition, the Government cannot give the land to the industry by purchasing it. But if the farmer or landowner wants to sell his land, then he could express his desire by registering on the e-Bhoomi portal mentioning the rate on which he is ready to sell his land. He said that similarly, efforts are being made towards improving the underground water level. To conserve water, the government has come up with policies for the reuse and recycle of the sewerage water. This water could be used in industries and other non-domestic works. In Haryana, extensive improvements are also being made in electricity, airport and rail and road traffic. In the next five years, several positive changes would be witnessed in terms of infrastructure development in the state, he further added.

The Chief Minister said that there is a plan to bring 1000 e-buses in the state soon, out of which about 100 e-buses would be made available to Faridabad. These buses would provide the facility of city bus service.

On this occasion, various stake holders related to the economy shared their views and presented their suggestions on future needs and infrastructural development. The stake holders congratulated the Chief Minister on achieving third position by the State in the country in Ease of Doing Business. They also appreciated him for taking their suggestions in the pre-budget consultation saying that this is the first time that the Chief Minister himself is taking suggestions of different stakeholders. They expressed hope that the government's budget would undoubtedly benefit the people of the state on a large scale. The Chief Minister patiently listened to the suggestions of all the stakeholders and assured them of favorable consideration.

Among those present in the meeting included Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Mr Krishan Pal Gurjar, Transport Minister Mr Mool Chand Sharma, MLA Badkhal Mrs Seema Trikha , MLA Tigaon Mr Rajesh Nagar, MLA Prithala Mr Nayan Pal Rawat, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Rajesh Khullar, Political Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Ajay Gaur, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Power Utilities Mr Shatrujeet Kapur and other senior officers of the State Government and district administration.