Chandigarh, July 28: Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal has urged the Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Mr Hardeep Singh Puri to extend the Delhi-Panipat Regional Rapid Transit System Corridor upto Karnal for the benefit of commuters of this area also and said that this Corridor will not just cut down the travel time significantly but also bring economic benefits to the entire connecting region, including Karnal.

Mr Manohar Lal raised this demand in the meeting of Chief Ministers of all BJP ruled states held through video conferencing, here today. BJP National President, Mr J.P. Nadda and Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Mr Hardeep Singh Puri were also present in the meeting.

The Chief Minister said that with a view to realize Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and to take this campaign to the ground level, street vendors in the State are being provided loan facility. He said that the Atmanirbhar Portal has also been set up for this purpose and about 1.14 lakh street vendors in 87 Municipalities of the State are likely to be benefited from this. Apart from this, the State Government has also made an arrangement of loan under DRI for small traders and businessmen in the State, he added.

Mr Manohar Lal said that with a view to further promote the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the State; the State Government has not only set up a separate Department of MSME but also made an arrangement of Shishu Loan and Mudra Loan to assist the entrepreneurs in setting up of such enterprises in the State.

While referring to the steps taken by the State Government to help the poor and needy during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said that financial assistance at a rate of Rs 1000 per week that is Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 per month has been provided to such people in the State. He said such needy persons are also being identified under the Parivar Pehchan Patra programme of the State Government and are being provided financial assistance.