Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has offered Punjab the “Haryana Model of Development” ahead of the state Assembly elections, which are due to be held in a few months. Addressing a public meeting at Goluka village in Punjab’s Firozpur district today, Saini highlighted Haryana’s initiatives in employment, agriculture, healthcare and welfare, saying similar measures could benefit Punjab.
Referring to employment in Haryana, Saini said more than 200,000 government jobs had been provided in the state over the past nearly 12 years. He said the government was following a policy of providing employment to young people on the basis of merit, without favouritism or corruption and with complete transparency.
Taking a dig at the Punjab Government, Saini said big promises had been made regarding employment for the youth and questioned how many young people had actually been provided jobs. He alleged that complaints had emerged in Punjab about relatives and close associates of the Chief Minister and legislators benefiting from government jobs. In contrast, he said, recruitment in Haryana was being conducted on the basis of merit and transparency.
Saini also highlighted Haryana’s policies for farmers, saying the state was ensuring procurement of crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He said farmers were being paid for their produce within 48 to 72 hours. In cases of crop damage caused by natural calamities, he said, farmers were provided compensation as well as financial support through the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana.
On the issue of drugs, Saini said Punjab continued to face a serious problem and claimed that complaints had surfaced about action being taken against those who raised their voices against drugs. He said the focus should instead be on taking strict action against drug sellers. In Haryana, he said, a task force had been constituted to tackle drugs and properties worth crores of rupees belonging to drug traffickers had been seized. Marathons and awareness programmes were also being organised to keep young people away from drugs.
Saini said the Haryana Government had taken steps towards fulfilling promises made in its manifesto. Under the Lado Lakshmi Yojana, women were being provided assistance of Rs. 2,100, while the promise of providing gas cylinders for Rs. 500 had also been fulfilled, he said.
Highlighting healthcare initiatives, the Chief Minister said around 15 million people in Haryana had been issued cards under the Ayushman Chiranjeevi Yojana, providing treatment coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh. Around four million people had benefited from the scheme so far, he said.
Saini also spoke about overseas employment, saying action had been taken against fraudsters who cheated young people in the name of sending them abroad and against the “donkey route” used for illegal migration. A Department of Foreign Cooperation had been established to facilitate safe and legal migration for those seeking employment or other opportunities overseas, he said.
The Chief Minister said Haryana’s youth were making the country proud by winning medals in sports, while acknowledging Punjab’s contribution to Indian sport. He said providing Punjab’s young people with employment opportunities, the right direction and a drug-free environment was the need of the hour.
Saini also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Centre had taken several important steps in development and public welfare and had worked to accelerate the country’s growth. He appealed to people to participate in the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan beginning September 17 and, on the Prime Minister’s birthday, light an “Aashirwad ka Diya” at home between 6 pm and 7 pm and pray for his long life.
Paying tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh, Saini said Punjab had produced many brave freedom fighters whose sacrifices would always be remembered. He said the state’s people were hardworking, talented and self-respecting, and called for a government in Punjab that focused on development, employment and transparency.
