Haryana among first seven states covered under Atal Bhujal Yojna

CHANDIGARH, FEB 20 

Haryana Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya said that ‘Atal Bhujal Yojna’ has been launched by Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi with an estimated cost of Rs 6,000 crore for better water management and  Haryana has been chosen amongst first seven states to be covered under the Scheme. He said that 36 water stressed blocks of the State have been identified for coverage under the Scheme.

          Mr. Satyadeo Narain Arya was delivering his address on the first day of Budget Session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha which commenced here today.

          He said that the present State Government accords high priority to ensuring equitable distribution of water to every farmer. Every possible effort would be made to bring to Haryana our legitimate share of surplus Ravi Beas waters through the Satluj Yamuna Link canal at the earliest, he added.

           Mr Arya said that his Government is committed to Har Khet Ko Paani and has launched a campaign to feed 100 per cent tailends. The capacity of WJC MLL from Hamida Head to Indri Head would be increased to 17,530 Cusecs from the existing carrying capacity of about 13,000 Cusecs by April, 2020. By augmenting the capacity of Western Jamuna Canal (WJC) system during the past two years, the State is already drawing more than 30 per cent additional water from river Yamuna during the monsoons, which otherwise used to flow down the river. The State Government is working on a plan to increase this additional quantity carried by WJC to 40 per cent by March, 2022.

          He said that extensive activities are being carried out in rural areas of the state under the Jal Shakti Abhiyaan since 2019. Nearly 25,000 public buildings in rural areas have been provided with rain water harvesting structures. More than 1.25 lakh soak pits have been constructed in villages for recharge of water table. Apart from this, 4,000 ponds have been identified for rejuvenation and work of desilting and deepening has already been initiated in over 700 such ponds.

          He said that Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has been launched by Government of India with the aim of providing a functional household tap connection to every rural household that is ‘Har Ghar Nal Se Jal’ by 2024 at the rate of 55 litres per capita per day. He said that the State Government has decided to achieve this target two years in advance, that is  by 2022.

          The Governor said that it has been decided to waive off road cut charges of Rs 2,000 per connection during the implementation period of Jal Jeevan Mission. The rural consumers are also being given an option to pay the upfront charges of Rs 500 per connection or pay Rs 50 per month instead of Rs 40 per month for general category and pay Rs 30 per month instead of Rs 20 per month for scheduled caste category being charged at present for drinking water supply in rural area. In this mission, 55 litres water conforming to Bureau India Standard: I.S.: 10500 is proposed to be provided per capita per day. More than 2.75 lakh water connections have already been regularized by the State Government so far, he added.

          He said that Haryana has notified a policy on Re-use of Treated Waste Water to reduce the dependency on fresh water resources. District-wise comprehensive and time bound action plans for reuse of treated waste water are being prepared to achieve this vision. He said that under this policy, it has been made mandatory for all Thermal Power Plants situated within 50 KM radius of any Sewage Treatment Plant to use Treated Waste Water (TWW) instead of fresh water in cooling towers and for other processes in the Power Generation Plant. Every industry using atleast 1,000 kilo litre per day would also have to mandatorily use TWW instead of fresh water. Further, all Municipal Bodies would also use treated waste water for non-potable purposes that is  for the purpose of gardening, horticulture and maintenance of parks.

          Mr Arya said that the present State Government is proactive in combating the challenge of anticipated water woes in the State and has become the first State in the country to employ Micro Irrigation with Treated Waste Water (TWW). Substituting freshwater with TWW would save Canal Water as well as reduce dependence on Ground Water, he said adding that a project costing Rs 1200 crore has been given ‘in-principle’ sanction by Government of India which would benefit over 1,20,000 acre area.

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Haryana awarded Krishi Karman Commendation Award

CHANDIGARH, FEB 20 

Haryana Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya said that Haryana has been honoured with a Commendation Award (Krishi Karman Award) for enhanced promotion and production of oilseeds. The award was presented by Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi on January 2, 2020.

          Mr. Satyadeo Narain Arya who was delivering his address on the first day of Budget Session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today said that his Government has with a renewed mandate been working on all fronts.

          He said that a record procurement of 6.19 lakh metric tonnes mustard was done during marketing season 2019-20. Besides 13,156 metric tonnes of sunflower was also procured. The entire payment at Minimum Support Prices for these crops was made directly into the accounts of the farmers.

          The Governor said that to ensure complete transparency in procurement, all efforts are being made to procure maximum quantity of crops through Farmer Registration Portal - Meri Fasal Mera Byora which utilizes four parameters, namely self-entry by farmers, e-Girdawari, verification by agriculture extension officers and authentication through satellite imagery. More than 6.40 lakh farmers have been registered in this mode for the ongoing Rabi season so far.

          He said that during the current financial year, 93.60 lakh metric tonne of wheat was procured at Minimum Support Price and an amount of Rs 17,222.40 crore was paid to the farmers for it. During the Kharif marketing season 2019-20, 64.69 lakh metric tonne of paddy amounting to Rs 11,870.62 crore was procured at Minimum Support Price of Rs 1,835 per quintal. He said that the State Government is committed to ensure that the farmers of major Horticulture crops get remunerative prices. Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana (BBY), insulates such farmers if market prices remain low. Twelve new vegetables namely, carrot, peas, brinjal, capsicum, lady finger, chilli, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, turmeric, cabbage, radish, garlic and 3 fruit crops namely guava, mango and kinnow have recently been included under this Scheme.

          Mr Arya said that the State Government is establishing Integrated Pack Houses for farmers for grading, sorting, packing, branding, value addition, storage and refrigerated transport of fruit and vegetables and is providing direct access to market by eliminating intermediaries. We have established three such Pack Houses with a cost of Rs 14.36 crore and additional 52 such projects in various horticulture crop clusters with a cost of  Rs 181.72 crore would be established in the year 2020, he added.

          He said that his Government is also promoting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for collective input management, produce aggregation, management of their agri-business activities to increase their income. So far, 409 FPOs have been formed in various blocks in the State and it has been planned to increase the number to 1,000 by 2022. He said that to promote judicious use of fertilizers, about 81.69 lakh soil health cards have been issued to the farmers. The Government aims to establish a soil testing laboratory in 111 Agriculture Market Committee Mandis and sub yards during this year. Apart from this, Block level soil fertility maps would be prepared on the basis of these test results. Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board would also develop a Masala Market in Sersa Village, an Apple Market in Pinjore and a Flower Market in Gurugram, he maintained. 

          Mr Arya said that in the interest of environmental protection, an extensive campaign was undertaken for the management of crop residue. About 1,672 Custom Hiring Centres have been established by providing 80 per cent subsidy for machines. About 5,228 individual farmers have been given 50 per cent subsidy for in-situ crop residue management. Efforts have also been made to ensure marketing tie-up for ex-situ management.

          He said that farmers of the State are being advanced crop loans without any interest if they repay the principal on time. Interest relief of Rs 127.88 crore was provided to around 5 lakh farmers on this account during the year 2018-19. He said that in a major relief to those farmers who could not repay their dues and had become defaulters of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme was started on September 1, 2019. Under the scheme out of about 8.50 lakh defaulter members of PACS, about 4.14 lakh members have availed the interest benefit amounting to Rs 858.77 crore upto January 31, 2020. Similarly in DCCBs out of 31,749 defaulter loanees, 7634 have availed the interest benefit amounting to about Rs 497.40 crore upto January 31, 2020. Similarly, under the ‘Recovery Linked Incentive Scheme’ of State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank, 10,564 loanee who were hitherto defaulting have availed the benefits of Rs 83.08 crore from September 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020.

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Diet allowance for sportspersons increased

CHANDIGARH, FEB 17 

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal has approved the proposal to increase the diet-allowance of sportspersons participating in state and national-level school sports competitions.

        While giving information about this, Haryana Education Minister Mr. Kanwar Pal said that the diet allowance of sportspersons participating in state-level school sports competition will be increased from Rs. 125 to Rs. 200 per day and for the players who participate in the national-level competition the allowance will be increased from Rs. 200 to Rs. 250 per day. He said that the purpose of increasing the diet allowance is to provide a nutritious diet to the players.

   The Education Minister said that the sportspersons of Haryana have been dominating in competition like, Khelo India, Asian, Commonwealth, and Olympic Games. Haryana has made it to the second place in Khelo-India in the last two years despite being a small state. He informed that the state government is providing facilities to students by developing interest in sports at the school level.

      He said that sports are a part of every person's life and it is like food for the body. Just like food intake provides nutrition and energy to the body, sports help students ease-out mental burden and physical fatigue.

     Education Minister Mr. Kanwar Pal said that the dietary allowance of sportspersons has been increased by the present state government, it will provide a wholesome diet to the players and their performance in sports will improve.

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Haryana CM to hold pre-budget consultation meeting with different stakeholders

CHANDIGARH, FEB 17 

Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal described the State Government’s initiative to hold pre-budget consultation meeting with different stakeholders including the MLAs as a historical step in the democratic system of the country and said that Haryana is probably the first State in the country where the Budget of the State is being finalized with the participation of all and hoped that other states of the country would also replicate this Haryana model.

      Mr Manohar Lal was addressing the Ministers and MLAs at the inaugural session of 3-day Pre-Budget Consultation Meeting 2020-21 with MLAs organized at Panchkula near here today. Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Dushyant Chautala, Speaker, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Mr Gian Chand Gupta and Deputy Speaker Mr Ranbir Gangwa were also present in the meeting.

    On this occasion, MLAs from different political parties gave their suggestions on different topics including measures to increase farmer’s income, eliminate stubble burning, improve the receding ground water table, fisheries, increase production and productivity and nutritional and adequate food for all.

    While welcoming the MLAs, the Chief Minister said that it is a matter pride that today the MLAs have given their suggestions by rising above the party lines and assured them that all their viable suggestions would be incorporated in the State Budget for the year 2020-21. The Chief Minister made it clear that the Budget is yet to be finalized assuring that suggestions to be given by the public representatives in 6 sessions during the 3-day discussion would be given due importance in the upcoming budget. He exhorted the opposition parties not to politicize this issue which holds great public importance.

     The Chief Minister said that prior to the consultation with MLAs, he also held pre-budget consultations with different other stakeholders including those associated with industry, service sector, agriculture, real estate, women and MPs. He said that even Lok Sabha Speaker felt extremely happy when he was informed about this initiative of the State Government where the suggestions of the people are being taken before finalizing the budget.

   While describing budget as a two-way process, he asked the MLAs to also suggest the sources of revenue while recommending new schemes. He said that funds from the existing schemes which are not relevant in the present times could be utilized in new schemes.

    He said that in the last five years, State Government has worked to meet all basic requirements of people of the State like food, shelter, clothing, water, electricity, education, security etc. Now, we are in the first year of the second term of the Government and a budget with the participation of all the Stake holders is being prepared so that we could fulfill the aspirations of the people with which they elected us, he added. He also underlined the need to meet emerging new challenges like pollution, quality of foodgrains and water scarcity and asked the public representatives to assist the state government in this endevour.

   The Chief Minister said that State Government aims to ensure development of all sectors and the constructive suggestions from the MLAs in this regard would go a long way in preparing a good budget for the people of the State. He said that such type of pre-budget consultations should be organized every year so that Haryana could make its distinct identity in the country for preparing such a budget which would be in interest of all sections of the society.

      Earlier, the Chief Minister also inaugurated an exhibition on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations adopted by the State Government to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

    Speaking on this occasion, Speaker Haryana Vidhan Sabha Mr Gian Chand Gupta said that it is for the first time when a pre-consultation with the MLAs is being organized with an aim to take their suggestions before finalizing the budget. He said that this initiative would ensure the participation of public representatives in finalizing the State Budget which would immensely benefit the people of the State.

    Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and Planning Mr T.V.S.N Prasad said that it is the result of farsighted approach of Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal who is also the Finance Minister that it has been decided to prepare the Budget in consultation with all stakeholders including MLAs. Mr Prasad also gave a brief presentation on the economic and general scenario of the State.

   He informed that the growth rate of GDP in Haryana is 11 per cent which is better than the GDP rate of the country. He said that the budget of the State was Rs 73,301 crore in the year 2014-15 which has now increased to 1,32,165 crore . This increase in the budget reflects the progress of the State, he added. He said that the fiscal deficit of the State is 2.59 per cent which is well under the parameters.

   Among those present in the meeting included Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary Mr Keshni Anand Arora, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Rajesh Khullar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr V. Umashankar, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mrs Ashima Brar, Director General, Swarna Jayanti Haryana Institute for Fiscal Management Mr Vikas Gupta and other senior officers of the State Government.

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Five IAS and six HCS officers transferred in Haryana

CHANDIGARH, FEB 10 

The Haryana Government has issued transfer and posting orders of 5 IAS and 6 HCS officers with immediate effect.

        Ms. Anita Yadav, Chief Executive Officer, Mewat Development Agency, Nuh has been transferred as Additional Director, HIPA, Gurugram.

         Mr. Pankaj, Deputy Commissioner, Nuh has been given the additional charge of  Chief Executive Officer Mewat Development Agency, Nuh.

         Mr. Shyam Lal Poonia, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Yamunanagar has been transferred as Deputy Commissioner, Charkhi Dadri.

         Mr. Dharamvir Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Dadri has been transferred as Chief Executive Officer, Shivalik Development Agency, Ambala.

         Ms. Pratima Chaudhary, Additional Controller, Civil Defence, Ambala and Chief Executive  Officer, Shivalik,  Development Agency, Ambala has been transferred as Additional Controller, Civil Defence, Ambala, and Additional Deputy Commissioner, Yamunanagar, and Secretary, RTA Yamunanagar.

          Meanwhile, among the HCS officers who have been transferred include Dr. Sushil Kumar, Zonal Administrator, HSAMB, Karnal has been given the additional charge of Administrator, Municipal Council, Ambala Cantt.

         Mr. Satish Yadav, Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) Tauru has been given the additional charge of Joint Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Gurugram.

         Mr. Vijender Hooda, City Magistrate, Jind has been transferred as CEO Zila Parishad, Jhajjar and CEO, DRDA, Jhajjar.

         Mr. Bharat Bhushan, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Yamunanagar and Secretary, RTA, Yamunanagar and Joint CEO, Saraswati Heritage Board has been transferred as City magistrate, Yamunanagar, and Joint CEO, Saraswati Heritage Board.

         Mr. Anil Nagar, Joint Director (Admn), Secondary Education, and Deputy Secretary, School Education Department has given the additional charge of Secretary, Haryana Safai Karamchari Commission and Member Secretary, Haryana Kesh Kala and Kaushal Vikas Board.

         Mr. Mandeep Kumar, Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Safidon (Designate) has been given the additional charge of City Magistrate, Jind.

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