Chandigarh January 27: While taking a significant step towards fulfilling his promise to make available round-the-clock power supply in villages of the State, Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal on January 26 announced to include 223 more villages under the Mhara Gaon – Jagmag Gaon Scheme thus taking the total number of such villages to 5223. These villages would start getting 24 hour power supply from January 26 onwards.
Mr Manohar Lal who was addressing the gathering after unfurling the national flag on the occasion of 72th Republic Day at Panchkula said that at present there are about 1500 villages which are getting 16 hours to 21 hours power supply daily. He said that 24 hour power supply would also be ensured in these villages soon.
Earlier, the Chief Minister paid homage to the martyrs by laying a wreath at the war memorial. He also inspected the parade by the contingent of Indo Tibetan Border Police Force, Haryana Police and National Cadet Corps (NCC).
While paying rich tributes to all those martyrs and freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country, the Chief Minister said that the nation would always remain indebted to the sacrifices made by our brave heroes. The sacrifices made by them for the freedom of the country could never be forgotten, he added.
He said that the present State Government has taken several initiatives for the welfare of freedom fighters and their dependents. He said that a monthly pension of Rs 25,000 is provided to the freedom fighters and their widows in the State. Apart from this, government jobs have been given to 332 dependents of the martyrs who attained martyrdom while safeguarding borders of the country. Also, the ex-gratia grant to their families has also been increased from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh.
While congratulating the people of Panchkula on the occasion of Republic Day, he said that Panchkula became the 17th district of Haryana in 1995. He said that Panchkula has a special significance not only from historical point of view but also as a religious destination as out of 51 Shakti Peeth, one Shakti Peeth - Shri Mata Mansa Devi is also located here. Apart from this, Gurudwara Manji Sahib at Pinjore and Nada Sahib Gurudwara at Panchkula are the important religious sites.
While referring to the Covid-19 pandemic that the whole world is battling for a year, he said that the country and the State had to pass through a tough phase. He said that it was a matter of pride that India has taken a lead in the world in fighting the Pandemic as our scientists have developed two indigenous vaccines for Coronavirus. He further said that a massive vaccination drive has been launched in the country under which 10 lakh people have been covered during the last about 10 days. In Haryana too, we are carrying out a large-scale vaccination campaign during which 1.05 lakh people have so far been administered the vaccine shots, he added.
He said that during its last six year tenure, the present State Government has taken various revolutionary steps to bring about a positive change in the administration and provide graft-free governance to the people. He said that with a view to provide quality health care facilities to the people, four new medical colleges are being set up at Bhiwani, Jind, Gurugram and Koriyawas (Narnaul). Apart from this, the MBBS seats in Medical Colleges of the State have been increased from 750 to 1750. Efforts are being made to further increase the seats to 2000, he added. He said that the 'Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana' has been implemented in the State to provide free treatment to poor and needy families up to Rs 5 lakh annually. He said that despite slow economic activities due to the Covid-19 induced lockdowns, the amount of social security pension has been increased and no cuts have been made in the salaries and pension of government employees.
The Chief Minister said that special emphasis has been given on the education, skill and employment of youth in the State. He said that more than 80,000 government jobs have been provided to the youth in the last six years. Apart from this, 100 hours work has been given to 1.10 lakh educated unemployed youth under the Saksham Yuva Scheme. He said that to avoid the repeated registration by the candidates to apply for different posts advertised by the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC), the new portal named "One-Time Registration portal" has been started. Apart from this, to get rid of repeated examinations for various posts of group 'C' and 'D', a provision of 'Common Eligibility Test' has also been made, he said adding that the present State Government has already abolished the interview process in the recruitment of group 'C' and 'D' category posts and jobs are being given only on basis of written examination.
Stating that the present State Government has also abolished the system of Kharchi and Parchi in government jobs that was prevailing in previous regimes, the Chief Minister said that now the youth is satisfied with the present transparent system of recruitment adopted by the present State Government as they are getting jobs on merit basis. He said that in order to give maximum employment to the youth of the state in private sector enterprises, a provision of 75 percent reservation has also been made. He said that apart from this, the Department of Foreign Cooperation has also been set up to help the youth in getting employment in foreign countries. He further said that free passports of all final year students who are looking for employment and education abroad are being made in their education institutes. About 6800 students have been provided passports during the last year, he added.
The Chief Minister said that special emphasis has been given on education of girls in the State. He said that during the tenure of the present State government, 67 new government colleges have been set up out of these 42 are girl’s colleges. He said that four centres have been opened in the State under the 'Super-100 Programme’ to give coaching to the meritorious students on government expenditure. This year, 83 students of the State got admission to prestigious engineering and medical colleges. He said that the State Government has also taken the initiative to open playway schools in place of anganwadis. Apart from this, Sanskriti Model Schools at primary and secondary level are being opened to provide education to the students at par with private schools.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also honoured four war widows namely Mrs Darshan Kaur, Mrs Swarna Devi, Mrs Ram Pyari and Mrs Santosh by presenting them with shawls.
He also honoured 22 achievers of the district in recognition of their outstanding contribution in the field of education, sports, social service and government service.
Among those present on the occasion included Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr D.S Dhesi, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Mukesh Kumar Ahuja, DGP Crime Muhammad Akil, ADGP, CID, Mr Alok Mittal, Parade Commandant, Mr Gaurav Purohit, DIG, Law and Order, Mr Rakesh Arya, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, Panchkula Mr Kulbhushan Goyal and other senior officers of civil and police administration.