Haryana govt is steadfastly dedicated to farmers' welfare: Governor Dattatreya

Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya on Tuesday said the state government deeply values the hard work of the farmers and is steadfastly dedicated to their welfare.

Dattatreya said the government is tirelessly working for the all-round, all-encompassing and inclusive development of the state based on education, health, security, self-reliance, self respect, service and good governance.

Addressing the Haryana Assembly on the first day of the budget session, he said: ''Our courageous soldiers stand guard at the nation's borders ensuring security at every moment while toil of farmers fills the country's granaries.'' Haryana truly embodies the spirit of ''Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan!'', he added.

Dattatreya said the government is committed to getting its legitimate share of water from the Ravi and Beas rivers and completing the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.

Continuous concrete efforts are, therefore, being made to resolve the issue, he added.

The governor said the government has always given top priority to the welfare and upliftment of the poor, farmers, youth and women.

''Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, an amount of Rs 4,157.73 crore has been directly deposited into the accounts of 19.94 lakh farmers of the state in the last four years,'' Dattatreya said.

In addition, the state government has set a unique example by purchasing 14 crops at the minimum support price (MSP), he added.

''A sum of Rs 90,000 crore has been directly deposited into the accounts of the farmers registered on the 'Meri Fasal Mera Byora' portal while Rs 836.12 crore has been deposited into the bank accounts of the bajra producing farmers under the 'Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana','' he said.

Dattatreya said the state government has ''acted as a shield for the farmers during natural disasters''.

Under the 'Mera Pani-Meri Virasat' scheme, a financial assistance of about Rs 117.22 crore has been provided at the rate of Rs 7,000 per acre for sowing alternative crops instead of paddy across 1.72 thousand acres of land, he said.

Commenting on the stubble burning issue, Dattatreya said the state government has notified the Haryana Ex-Situ Management of Paddy Straw Policy, 2023, to make stubble a source of income for the farmers and to protect the environment.

The governor said this policy will focus on increasing private investment in straw-based projects and ensuring the use of straw by incentivizing the farmers.

The target is to eliminate the problem of crop residue burning by 2027 under this policy, he added.

Touching upon the Ram temple issue, the governor said he expresses profound gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who served as the harbinger of this milestone for the nation.

''By realising the dream of constructing the temple of Lord Shri Ram, he has fulfilled the hopes of millions of Indians and fortified their faith. This temple (in Ayodhya) stands as the matchless symbol of our nation's social, cultural, and philosophical heritage,'' Dattatreya said.

Commenting on the progress made by the state in various fields, he said, ''Whether it is the per capita income, industrial development, social security, public welfare or innovation in agriculture, Haryana's strong presence is visible on the national canvas.'' ''Our agrarian state is forging ahead on the path of progress at full speed, riding the chariot of science and technology,'' he added.

The governor said the philosophy of 'Antyodaya' of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay is guiding us like beacons on the path of systemic change.

Dattatreya said the administration has embraced e-governance, minimizing human intervention in the delivery of services.

On the state government's flagship 'Parivar Pehchan Patra' family ID scheme, he said the government has gone beyond the individual identity card 'Aadhaar' and made a system of identification of the family in the form of 'Parivar Pehchan Patra', making it a medium to deliver benefits of the government schemes to every family.

The governor said the government has launched a strong campaign against corruption.

He also said the government is committed to guaranteeing equal opportunities for all classes and individuals in Haryana, rising above the narrow-mindedness of region, caste, religion and gender.

The state's first airport has been built in Hisar. The operation of flights from this is likely to start from April, he said.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Harvinder Kalyan while initiating a discussion on the governor's address touched upon the achievements of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar-led government during the past nine-and-a-half-years and said that it provided a roadmap for Haryana's future.

Kalyan said the Khattar government has provided a transparent administration where recruitments are made on merit.

Meanwhile, former Haryana chief minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda alleged ''the BJP-JJP government has made the governor's address a medium for telling official lies..''.

''..The government, put the dignity of the governor at stake and handed over an address to him, which is far from the truth,'' he said in a statement.

Hooda said, ''The government has made big claims of development, but the people of Haryana are at a loss to understand how development is possible without building any university or medical college, without establishing any power plant or IMT (Industrial Model Township)''.

''People are asking how can there be development in the state without establishing any national and international level institute, without setting up any big industry, without investment and without employment,'' he added.