Chandigarh July 26, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal met German Ambassador to India, Sh. Walter J. Lindner, who paid a courtesy call at the Chief Minister’s office today in Chandigarh.

During the meeting extensive discussions took place over identifying various development scopes for both the nations, especially Haryana in collaboration with the Government of Germany.

Sh. Lindner inquired regarding various welfare schemes initiated by the State Government with special reference to Parivar Pehchan Patra and Crop Diversification Scheme on which the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that under the PPP scheme a system has been created in which each family is identified as a single unit so that eligible families can avail the direct benefits of Government Welfare Schemes.

He further added that the Government has been promoting water saving crops under the Crop Diversification Scheme in which farmers are being given additional benefits for growing crops consuming less water so as to ease out water scarcity issues and simultaneously increase the income of the farmers.

The German Ambassador to India expressed concern over COVID-19 situation in the country and the State, on which Chief Minister replied that the situation in the State was expediently managed during the second wave of Covid-19. By mapping the initial situation of pandemic in the second wave various initiatives were taken into immediate consideration like maintaining adequate oxygen supply in hospitals across the State, setting up of temporary hospitals, financial assistance to the patients for getting treatment in private hospitals, adequate supply of food and essentials life saving drugs. He added that we were able to create a harmonious system in order to combat the crisis within the State and we have also extended help to the neighbouring States amidst pandemic.

On the question raised by the envoy to India regarding climate change, the Chief Minister elaborated the initiatives taken by the State Government concerning global climate change. He said that climate change is a global concern and we are working towards alternative sources of power production like solar energy which fulfill the basic needs of the common folks especially in the southern parts of Haryana.

Sh. Walter J. Lindner assured the Chief Minister that complete support and cooperation will be extended by the Government of Germany for the future development endeavours and other exchange programmes as well.

Among those present on the occasion included Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. DS Dhesi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. V. Umashankar, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Sh. Vijayendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Department, Dr. Sumita Mishra, Principal Secretary, Foreign Cooperation Department and Resource Mobilization Adviser, Sh. Yogendra Chaudhary, Principal Secretary, Haryana Higher and Technical Education Department, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan and other senior officers.