Chandigarh, July 14: Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal said that the State Government has taken the COVID-19 challenge as an opportunity and has introduced various industrial and economic reforms during this period as a result of which more than 60 big companies have evinced keen interest in making investments in Haryana. Apart from this, the State Government has also prepared a road-map to revive the state economy in the post-Corona period under which a number of task groups having prominent personalities from different walks of life has been constituted.
Mr Manohar Lal was speaking at a virtual webinar with Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) of South Asia, here today. Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Rajesh Khullar was also present on this occasion.
The Chief Minister said that various companies have started shifting their base from China and they are looking forward to Haryana as a perfect destination for investment. He said that the State Government has not only created an industry friendly atmosphere in the State but also provided various facilities including necessary clearances under one roof for the setting up of new units in the State.
He said that with a view to woo the investors to Haryana, the State Government has also brought about land and labour reforms in the State. Under this, in case of setting up new units in the State, relaxation would be provided in the provisions of the Factory Act and Industrial Disputes Act for the first 1000 days. Apart from this, for the first time in the history of Haryana, the State Government has also decided to allow land on lease to entrepreneurs keen on investing in the State, he added.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government has created a separate Department of Foreign Cooperation besides appointing IAS officers as Nodal Officers to coordinate with foreign countries. He said that with a view to promoting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the State, the State Government has prepared a scheme of setting up clusters in all districts of the State with special focus on agro-based industries. He said that the people of Indian Origin who were residing in other countries and now have returned would also be encouraged to set up their units in these clusters.
Mr Manohar Lal said that to work out the short and medium-term prospective plan to redefine the role of the state in relation to the market particularly in education, health, food security, public health, and housing sectors in the post-Corona period, a number of task groups have been constituted. He said that while the Task Group on Food, Agriculture and Allied Services is being chaired by Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member Niti Aayog, and Government of India, the task group on Industries and Commerce is being chaired by Mr. R.C. Bhargava, Chairperson Maruti Suzuki.
While referring to COVID-19 situation in the State, he said that except four districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat and Jhajjar adjoining Delhi, the rest of Haryana is well under control as a result of series of measures adopted by the State Government including rapid testing, screening, aggressive measures in containment zones and free supply of ayurvedic medicines for immunity boosting. He said that adequate medical infrastructure is available in the State to deal with any situation arising out of COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Manohar Lal said that his vision is to ensure that each district in the State has atleast one medical college. While at present 11 medical colleges are functional in the State, three others are under construction. Apart from this, recently he has also approved 3 new medical colleges to be set up in Sirsa, Yamunanagar and Kaithal districts. In addition, the State already has two Medical Universities.
Earlier, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) of South Asia appreciated the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal for doing a remarkable job in containing the spread of COVID-19 in the State.