On 26 October 2014, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, scripted history as he took the oath of office and secrecy as Haryana’s first Chief Minister (CM) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Owing to his massive popularity, he was re-elected as the CM of Haryana in 2019. Under his exemplary leadership, Haryana has been witnessing unprecedented growth trajectory in varied spheres. A follower of the dictum ‘Seva Pratham,’ he has always been at the forefront of social causes and has been passionately working for the elevation of those in the lowest rung of society through various schemes and measures implemented by his government.
BOOSTING ECONOMIC GROWTH
Q. Sir, you hold the feat of becoming the first BJP Chief Minister in the state of Haryana and owing to your massive development works and popularity, were also re-elected to the post. Under your exemplary leadership, Haryana set itself on an unprecedented progress path and is ranked favourably on the Ease of Doing Business in India. Please throw light on some of the policies and measures undertaken by your government in this regard with special reference to Haryana Enterprises Promotion Policy 2020.
A. The day I took over as the Chief Minister of Haryana, I decided to undertake development works uniformly in all Vidhan Sabha constituencies with the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and One Haryana, One Haryanvi.
During the last two years, Covid was a big challenge to keep the growth and the progress going on, particularly in the industrial sector.
Meanwhile, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave a vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and set the target of making the nation’s economy worth five trillion dollars. We subsequently took many steps to make the prime minister’s vision successful.
So we not only set up a separate MSME department but also introduced the Haryana Enterprise and Employment policy, 2020 under which a large number of incentives were announced for the industry. A provision for free power was made for the industrial units for 20 years.
The Haryana Enterprise Promotion Centre has been set up to provide all clearances to the upcoming industrial units under one roof and also to promote ease of doing business in the state.
We are making a logistic hub in the NCR. An integrated multi model logistic hub is being set up on 886 acres of land in Narnaul, Mahendragarh.
A pharmaceutical policy has also been put in place to promote the pharmaceutical (medicines) industry in the state.
ALIGNING STATE GOALS WITH NATIONAL GOALS
Q. Sir, what are your views on Hon’ble PM Modiji’s call for ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’? How is your government planning to further this agenda?
A. It was in order to revive the national economy that the Prime minister gave the slogan “vocal for local” and “Atma Nirbhar Bharat”. The purpose was to breathe a new life in the enterprises which engaged local talent and entrepreneurs. The Centre launched an economic package of Rs 20 lakh crores for the purpose.
India should stop looking for assistance from other countries and the youth should hone their skills in whatever best they could do.
In Haryana, in order to realise the dream of the prime minister we have strengthened all the 5 pillars of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”- economy, infrastructure, demography, demand and supply.
We have started a portal called “Haryana Atma Nirbhar portal” under the “Atmanirbhar Haryana- Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign in the state.
We have also started a campaign in colleges and universities to train the youth with the spirit of enterprise. Under this incubation centres are being set in the educational institutions to train and enable the youth to undertake startup enterprises. For this a concerted startup policy has been implemented following which Haryana has become a leading state in the nation to implement the Startup India campaign. More than 5000 youths have so far registered themselves under the Startup campaign which is four times the number in Punjab and 14 times more than what we see in Himachal Pradesh.
We undertook a skill development mission and set up a separate university for skill development as well.
PROMOTING AGRICULTURE
Q. Sir, under your exemplary leadership, the state government has brought about many reforms to improve farm productivity and make agriculture profitable. For this, your government rolled out many programs such as Meri Fasal, Mera Byora, the portal “www.fasalhry.in,” “Krishi Kiosk” at Panchkula, ‘Suchana Rath,’ and Kisan Haryana Apps among others. Please elaborate.
A. The welfare of farmers has been our topmost priority as under the “Beej See Bazar Tak” programme farmers are provided subsidies on the purchase of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides.
Haryana is the first state in the country to provide MSP on 14 crops and payments are made to farmers within 72 hours of buying their crops. Many schemes that the Prime Minister has implemented for reforms in agriculture like the Prime Minister crop insurance scheme, the Prime Minister’s Kisan Samman Nidhi plan have been guiding us as well.
“Meri Fasal, Mera Byora” scheme has helped farmers get quick assistance from the state government as a result of which the economic condition of farmers in the state has improved considerably. Haryana stands third in the country as far as farmers’ condition is concerned. According to the national survey, by 2019, per capita family income of farmers in Haryana was Rs 22,841 which was almost double the national figure which stood at Rs 10,218. In order to compensate farmers after they suffered losses in their kharif crop in 2021 we raised the compensation from Rs 12,000 per acre to Rs 15,000 per acre and approved compensation of Rs 945 crores under the Prime Minister’s crop insurance scheme.
The state government has also launched the “Mukhya Mantri Bagvani Beema Yojna” and the “Bhavantar Bharpai Yojna” for 21 horticulture crops.
Various portals have been launched to make facilities available to farmers at the doorstep. To promote horticulture three centres of excellence have been approved for Bhiwani, Nuh and Jhajjar district while 65 per cent subsidy is being given to farmers undertaking vertical farming. At the same time agroforestry has been made part of the “Mera Paani-Meri Virasat” programme. A target of developing fisheries over an area of 57,550 acres has been set up for the current financial year.
PROMOTING TOURISM
Q. Sir, you have recently inaugurated various adventure sports such as Parasailing, Paramotor and Jet Scooter in TikkarTaal, Morni Hills under the comprehensive plan on development of adventure sports activities to promote tourism in Haryana. Please throw some light on this.
A. Yes, in Morni Hills we have started various adventure sports which not only promote tourism but also provide jobs to the local youth. This area provides a lot of natural beauty and is expected to become a tourism centre.
I feel that adventure sports cultivate more physical and mental strength in the youth as we are making concerted efforts to romote it in the state. In Gurugram, a foundation stone has been laid for adventure tourism centre on Damdama lake where a basic infrastructure would be created comprising camping site, facilities of aero sports etc.
At Morni, sports trekking tracks are being prepared along with facilities for paragliding and all-terrain vehicle ride. An adventure sports club has been also set up in the memory of international athlete Milkha Singh where we have set the target of training at least 1000 youths in adventure activities.
In addition, a proposal has been prepared to begin water sports and adventure activities at Tilyar lake in Rohtak and Hathnikund barrage.
Moreover, to promote rural tourism we have started the Home Stay scheme, 2021, under which farmers are being persuaded to construct two or three rooms each for providing facilities to tourists who wanted to have a view of Haryana rural culture and lifestyle. It would not only help boost the economic condition of farmers but would open a new avenue of tourism.
In Panchkula, for instance, we have started a Scenic and Religious Day tour package for conducting the tourists around to the scenic places in the region by a special tourist bus.
WORKING TOWARDS THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN
Q. Under your able leadership, the state has been successfully addressing the issue of the safety and security of women. In fact, Haryana holds the distinction of being the first state to adopt the initiative of Mahila Police Volunteer at Karnal and Mahindergarh District on a pilot basis under the Nirbhaya Fund. In this regard, please throw light on schemes such as Mahila Police Volunteer (Gram Sakhi), launched to bridge the gap between Police and civil society for the safety of women.
A. Right from day one, it has been our earnest endeavour to ensure that women in the state felt not safe and protected but were afforded adequate opportunities to fulfil their dreams and ambitions.
The Mahila and Kishori Samman scheme was launched for adolescent girls and women in the age group of 10-45 years coming from BPL families. Under the scheme six-piece packet of sanitary napkins is given every month. About 22.50 lakh women and girls have been benefiting from the scheme.
Similarly, the Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphaar Scheme has been operating in the state under which fortified flavoured skimmed milk powder is provided to pregnant and lactating mothers at about 26,000 Anganwadi centres.
For their safety in public places a Durga App has been launched, besides the formation of Durga Shakti Vahini, a force that is dedicated to the protection of women. The strength of women in the state police has been hiked from 10 per cent to 15 per cent. In addition, round-the-clock helpline number 1091 has been functional to provide emergency assistance to girls and women.
In order to expedite disposal of cases of crime against women, the government has set up 16 fast track courts so that such incidents did not become examples of “justice delayed is justice denied”.
As many as 31 new women police stations have been set up in the state raising the total number of women police stations to 33. The government has also decided to increase the strength of women police personnel from 10 per cent to 15 per cent
in the state.
Q. There has also been a remarkable improvement in the sex ratio of the state which has risen to 913 in 2020. Please state some of the measures and policies adopted by you in this regard.
A. The National Family Health Survey-5 (2020-21) released recently recorded a 57-point rise in the ‘sex-ratio at birth in the last 5 years (females per 1,000 males) for infant girls in Haryana. The empowerment of women in Haryana has been extensively covered in schemes like “Beti-Bachao, Beti-Padhao,” “Aapki Beti-Humari Beti” and “Ladli.” It not only led to the empowerment of women but also soon saw women excelling in sports like hockey and wrestling and has finally turned the tables on the declining sex ratio in the state.
PROMOTING E-GOVERNANCE
Q. Please shed light on some of the initiatives undertaken by your government to ensure the promotion of “E-governance” in Haryana. How accessible are these schemes for the common man and the weaker sections of the society?
A. Haryana has taken big strides in e-governance to make the governance accountable, sensitive and corruption free. It has started more than two dozen portals to help people avail themselves of the services provided by the Haryana Government. Haryana is the first state in the country where benefits of 572 government schemes run by 42 departments could be availed of at 18,552 Atal Seva centres and 117 Antyodaya and Saral Seva centres. As many as 30 new portals were initiated in the first year of the present government which included the practice of e-appointment for registration of lands.
For the selection of new government staff, a provision of one-time registration has been made for youths for Group C and Group D jobs. On the CM Window portal, more than 8.12 lakh complaints have been received so far of which 7.76 lakh grievances have been redressed. For farmer E-NAM portal connecting 81 mandis and 225 farmer producers groups.
For school children “Sampark Baithak” mobile application has been initiated to help them study from their homes. An AAS (Auto Appeal System) has been evolved linking 546 services to ensure efficiency and transparency in the delivery system. We have also launched “Web Halris” for the revenue records, besides “Samarpan” for the delivery of services. Such initiatives have been taken to make governance more efficient and transparent.
ENSURING INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
Q. Please state some of the schemes and initiatives launched by your government for senior citizens, destitute and differently-abled and needy sections of the society.
A. Our government has been following the principle of Antyodaya as enunciated by Shri Deendayal Upadhayaya ji. Under the Mukhya Mantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan scheme, we have decided to ensure that every family in the state has at least Rs 1.80 lakh as its annual income; and for this, we have already identified 50,000 families.
Under the Mukhya Mantri Parivar Smridhi scheme about 27 lakh poor families have been given Rs 5 lakh annually as medical assistance. During the Covid times, the state government provided free of cost treatment. The Mukhya Mantri Bal Seva scheme for children has been a big success. In the state, there is a facility of free of cost 228 operations and 70 types of the medical test even as 500 medicines are provided free to the patients in various government hospitals. The social security pension has been enhanced to Rs 2500 whereas under the Mukhya Mantri Vivah Shagun scheme Rs 71,000 is offered as a shagun by the government.
PROVIDING SOCIAL COVER AND FAMILY WELFARE
Q. Sir, under your visionary leadership, the Haryana government has been very upfront in bringing out the schemes to expand the ambit of its social security cover. Please share in detail.
A. It’s moral and constitutional duty of the government to uplift life standards of poor and backward classes so that they join the mainstream and contribute to the growth of the state This has been the Antyodaya principle of Shri Deendayal Upadhyay ji. To achieve this target the Mukhya Mantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan scheme was launched under which skill development is undertaken for giving employment opportunities to the needy people.
FACILITATING IMPROVED LAW & ORDER
Q. Under your visionary leadership, the Haryana government has launched a 24×7 portal called ‘Har Samay’ (through which anybody can register the compliant online) for improving the responsiveness of the policing system. You have also started the concept of Zero FIR. Please elaborate.
A. It has been our topmost priority to provide security to people. We have started ‘Har Samay’ portal whereby one can lodge complaint sitting at home. Special steps have been taken to provide security to women for which a special helpline has been launched. FIRs can be registered anywhere in the state while the complainant can monitor progress in follow-up action online.
Building State-Of-The-Art Industrial Infrastructure
Q. Sir, please throw light on the various initiatives undertaken by your government to boost infrastructure in the state.
A. In consonance with the vision of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi, Haryana has been making diligent and dedicated efforts to develop infrastructure so that the economy gets a boost and moves towards the goal of ‘Atmanirbharta.’ Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (H.S.I.I.D.C.) has played a vital role in promoting all round economic development in the State by providing state-of-the-art industrial infrastructure. H.S.I.I.D.C. has established 36 industrial model townships and industrial estates in an area of 28,540 acres. These include developed industrial, residential, commercial and institutional sites of various sizes comprising several sector specific/theme parks like Badi, Rohtak, Mega Food Park in Rai R Saha, Panchkula and IMT. IT in Manesar Park, Footwear Park in Bahadurgarh and Textile Hub at Panipat are included.
Many new important projects are being developed. These include Global City in Gurugram, Integrated Multi Modal Logistics Park at Narnaul, IMT. Electronics Manufacturing Cluster in Sohna, Vision City in Gurugram, etc. Apart from this, there are many more projects under consideration, including Bulk Drug Park in Hisar, In-Decor City and five new cities under Panchagram region along the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway.
An international horticulture market is being established on 537 acres of land at Ganaur in district Sonepat, where international level facilities for infrastructure, technology, communication and marketing will be available. A Horticulture University is being established in the State to promote the cultivation of fruits, flowers and vegetables. Under this, 4 research centers are also being established. Food parks are being set up in Badi located in district Sonipat and Samalkha of Panipat. In this, an investment of Rs 300 to 400 crore will be made.
BOOSTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Q. We, at AsiaOne, really appreciate the fact that your government has been launching various schemes and policies to boost entrepreneurship in the state. Please elaborate.
A. The government has given many facilities, incentives and discounts to the entrepreneurs to keep the wheel of industries moving with full speed in the state. We know that the Hon’ble Prime Minister had announced that “special focus has been given in the budget to strengthen MSMEs through credit facilitation and technology upgradation initiatives.” Haryana Enterprise Promotion Center has been set up to provide approvals to entrepreneurs under one roof. Now more than 100 industrial clearances of 20 departments can be obtained through www.investharyana.in portal. All types of permission are being given through this center within 45 days.
To promote micro, small and medium industries, a separate ‘MSME’ has been established in the state. The Department of Foreign Cooperation has been formed to promote employment and investment. By implementing schemes like Saksham Yuva Yojana, Startup India, Skill India, Standup India etc. Haryana has been made a favorable destination for industries and investors.
Haryana has excellent connectivity by air, rail and road. Law and order situation is best. There is enough land in the state. There is no problem of power availability. Haryana has efficient banking and financial services. Hardworking and skilled human resource is available.
The National Capital Region of the state is being made a warehousing and logistics hub. Under this project, implementation of initial ambitious projects like Global Smart City and Mass Rapid Transit System in Gurugram has been started.
Haryana has reached the second position in the Logistics Ease Across Different States Index. Integrated Multi Modal Logistics Hub is being developed in Narnaul, Mahendragarh in an area of 886 acres. It will cost USD 700 million and is being developed in collaboration with the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project.
Haryana has excellent connectivity by air, rail and road. At present there are 17 national highways in the state. Today there is no such district in the state which is not connected by National Highway.
We have implemented ‘Haryana Enterprises and Employment Policy-2020’ with the objective of promoting industries on a large scale, creating 5 lakh new jobs, creating investment opportunities of more than Rs 1 lakh crore and exporting to 2 lakh crores in the state.
Haryana Gramin Udyog Vikas Yojana has been started for the development of micro enterprises in rural areas. In order to reduce the ‘Cost of Doing Business’ of the industries, we have implemented a special leasing policy for industrial plots. The State Government has started ‘Padma’ scheme for exporting 140 products in 140 blocks of the state to country and abroad in the direction of uniform industrialization. Under this scheme ‘One Block-One Product’ will be encouraged, which will fetch good price at national and international level for quality products made by skilled people in many villages of the state.
Recently, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited (SMIPL) and Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited have launched I.M.T. An agreement has been signed for allotment of total 900 acres of land in Kharkhoda. This will open a new path of prosperity and prosperity of Kharkhoda and the surrounding region.
Maruti-Suzuki India Limited will set up its new car manufacturing unit on 800 acres of land. The total cost of this project is estimated to be Rs 18,000 crore.
The first phase of this new plant with a manufacturing capacity of 2.5 lakh units per annum is likely to be commissioned by the year 2025. The plant will generate employment opportunities for 11,000 skilled, unskilled and semi-skilled youth.
Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd has also purchased 100 acres of land to set up an integrated manufacturing facility for two wheelers including engines.
The total cost of this project is estimated to be Rs 1,466 crore. This will create employment opportunities for 2,000 skilled, unskilled and semi-skilled youth.
The first phase of this new plant with a manufacturing capacity of 2.5 lakh units per annum is likely to be commissioned by the year 2025. The plant will generate employment opportunities for 11,000 skilled, unskilled and semi-skilled youth.
Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd has also purchased 100 acres of land to set up an integrated manufacturing facility for two wheelers including engines. The total cost of this project is estimated to be Rs 1,466 crore. This will create employment opportunities for 2,000 skilled, unskilled and semi-skilled youth.
