Chandigarh, Jan1The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal, said here today that the state had achieved new milestones in several key sectors in 2017 and expressed the hope that Haryana would scale higher peaks of growth and development in 2018.

He was interacting with media persons after extending New Year wishes to the officers and staff of different departments and offices located on the fourth floor of the Haryana Civil Secretariat, here. Mr Manohar Lal personally went round different offices and branches to greet officers and staff on the occasion of the New Year. The staff of Haryana Civil Secretariat also wished the Chief Minister a happy New Year.

Extending good wishes for the New Year, the Chief Minister said the state government was committed to bringing happiness and prosperity to the people. Many governance-related reforms were carried out in 2017. The government has also launched Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana for farmers to ensure base price of vegetables, and make cultivation of vegetables risk- free.

The scheme would encourage the farmers to take to crop diversification and help in realizing the vision of the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, to double the income of farmers by 2022.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also released the 2018 Calendar of Haryana.

Those present on this occasion included the Chief Secretary, Mr D.S. Dhesi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr Rajesh Khullar, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Mandeep Singh Brar, OSD to Chief Minister, Mr Bhupeshwar Dayal, Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr Amit Arya, and other staff members.