Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Wednesday said that efforts were being made to make the state self-reliant in power by 2012. The CM also announced that there was a plan to set up 1,500 mw gas based power plant in Faridabad.
The CM, who was addressing the Republic Day function after unfurling the tri-colour in Kaithal, said that the state government had inherited the shortage of power, therefore, a target was set to generate 5,000 mw of power and work to set up four thermal projects was started. The power generation capacity of the state has increased to 3,480 mw as from 1,587 mw in 2004-05.
Hooda said that water conservation being the top-most priority of the state, the year 2011 was being observed as ‘Water Conservation Year’. A number of steps were being taken to conserve water and 90% subsidy was being given on drip irrigation and sprinkler sets for horticulture. He said that under the National Horticulture Mission, the scheme to have community ponds was being effectively implemented and the state government was giving 100% subsidy on construction of ponds under the scheme.
The CM reiterated the commitment of his government to get states’ due share of Ravi-Beas waters through Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal. He said that the water courses were being brick-lined and new canals were being dug to ensure supply of irrigation water to every field in the state. The state spent Rs 482 crore to improve and expand irrigation facilities in district Kaithal during last six years.
Hooda said that all-round development has been made during last about six years and this has infused a new confidence in the common man as well as farmers and labourers were now happy. While eulogising the UPA government for implementation of a number of people-friendly schemes and initiatives, Hooda said that with the Centre’s agri- loan waiver scheme and state’s power bills arrears waiver scheme the farmers were benefited to the extent of Rs 4,000 crore as their payments of Rs 4,000 crore were waived off.
He said that the state had reduced the interest rate on agriculture loans to as less as 4%.
Hooda said that the state governments’ land acquisition policy and its R&R policy have come out as a model for the whole country. The royalty and the compensation amount in the state are maximum in the country, while the royalty system has been a unique experiment, he further added.
While referring to other farmer-friendly initiatives and plans of the state, Hooda said that the state government has set up a Farmers’ Commission and a centre of excellence for vegetables at Gharaunda. He said that Lala Lajpat Rai University of Animal Sciences at Hisar, centre of excellence for fruits at Sirsa, terminal market for fruits and vegetables at Ganaur were being set up.
The CM said that the state government has implemented new industrial and investment policy, which would create more job opportunities for the youth and more industries would be set up in industrially backward areas of the state. He said that the state has become number one state in terms of per capita investment, which was at 14 th place six years ago. In per capita income also, the state has become second state after Goa.
Hooda also referred to the number of steps taken by the state government for strengthening the infrastructure and health services, implementation of schemes for rural and urban development and efforts being made to develop Haryana as an international level education hub and sports power house.
