Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar took a swipe at the Congress, highlighting that instances of atrocities against Scheduled Caste (SC) members were either left unregistered or deliberately suppressed during the opposition party’s rule. Khattar mentioned in the state Assembly that victims of such incidents had to undergo a challenging process to get their cases recognized, often having to navigate through bureaucratic hurdles.
He said strict directives were issued to police stations after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in Haryana in 2014, ensuring that every individual seeking to get an FIR registered is facilitated without any impediment.
Responding to a question raised by Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) MLA Abhay Singh Chautala regarding the corruption cases registered in various departments, boards and corporations, Khattar said whenever a complaint of graft is received, an FIR is lodged first and action taken on the basis of investigation. The chief minister, who was responding to various issues raised by the members in the House, also said the MLAs, being elected representatives of the public, can gather information about the development projects in their areas from any officer.
Reacting to question raised by Congress MLA B B Batra, Khattar said that lawmakers have the authority to visit government offices and gather information on local development projects from any official. Highlighting the opposition’s recurrent focus on unemployment in the state, he referenced the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report in the Assembly. The report indicated Haryana’s unemployment rate at 5.2% from July to September, contrasting with the national rate of 6.6%.
He said the unemployment rate was “14.5 per cent in Himachal Pradesh, 8.8 per cent in Punjab and 12 per cent in Rajasthan” during the same period. The chief minister also said Haryana’s poverty rate, according to the NITI Aayog’s data, was 11.88 per cent in 2015-16.
“In 2014, when we came to power, dedicated efforts were made and because of this, the rate came down to 7.07 per cent in 2019-20, which was a reduction of more than 4 per cent. As a result, 14,29,341 people in Haryana have risen above the poverty line,” he added.
Further, he said the announcement to build an international sports stadium in Khandra village in Panipat, the hometown of Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, will soon be fulfilled. Stadium is to be constructed in a 15-acre area in the village according to the villagers’ wish, but a case related to the land is pending in the revenue court. Both parties have agreed to withdraw the case and the construction of the stadium will begin soon, the chief minister added.
Talking to reporters, Khattar, in response to a query about the selection of a “Rajya Geet” (state song), said a five-member committee led by MLA Laxman Singh Yadav has been set up in this regard. The names of the other members of the committee are to be approved by Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, he added. A decision on the state song of Haryana is likely to come during next year’s budget session, Khattar said.
During the Assembly’s winter session, Khattar had said Haryana will soon have a state song, reflecting the rich history, heritage and vibrant culture of the state.Meanwhile, the chief minister said BJP president J P Nadda will participate in the ongoing International Gita Festival in Kurukshetra on December 21 while Union Home Minister Amit Shah will take part in it on December 22. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will attend the closing ceremony on December 23, he said.
