Haryana Pivots to Rashtriya Military School for Matanhail After 37-Year Wait
In a significant policy shift, the Haryana government has decided to establish a Rashtriya Military School (RMS) in Matanhail, a small town in Jhajjar district, under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. This move marks a departure from the originally proposed third Sainik School in the state, ending a nearly four-decade-long stalemate that began in 1987.
Historical Context and Political Promises
The demand for a Sainik School in Matanhail dates back to 1987, when then Chief Minister Devi Lal first announced the project. The initiative gained momentum in 2003 when former Defence Minister George Fernandes laid the foundation stone, with the village offering approximately 300 acres of land. However, despite these efforts, the project remained unrealized over the years due to persistent legal and administrative hurdles.
On Monday, Haryana Minister Rao Narbir Singh confirmed that an RMS will be established in Matanhail, pending approval from the village panchayat for the release of 61 acres of land. He clarified that while 300 acres were initially proposed, legal constraints have reduced the available land to about 61 acres. Singh acknowledged the long-pending nature of this issue, tracing it back to Devi Lal's announcement, which was motivated by the area's high contribution of soldiers to the armed forces.
Political Efforts and Delays
Over the decades, multiple political leaders have attempted to revive the project without success. During the Congress regime, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda wrote several letters to the Union government, but no progress was made. Similarly, former CM Manohar Lal Khattar pursued the matter during his over nine-year tenure, yet it remained unresolved.
In the ongoing budget session, Senior Congress leader and former minister Geeta Bhukal raised the issue in the state assembly. She highlighted that the village panchayat passed resolutions in February 2021 and 2026 to donate 61 acres of land for the school, urging the government to take swift action. In response, Senior Minister Arvind Sharma stated that Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini will intervene to expedite the process.
Strategic Importance and Local Contributions
The establishment of a military school in Matanhail has been a long-pending demand for Jhajjar district, renowned for producing a large number of soldiers, including the current Army Chief. In 2002, then Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala acquired around 313 acres of land in Matanhail and Rudiawas village for the school, with permission granted by George Fernandes. Despite the foundation stone being laid in September 2003, the project never materialized.
Haryana currently has two Sainik Schools: one in Kunjpura near Karnal, established in 1961, and another in Rewari, opened in 2009. The Kunjpura school holds the rare distinction of sending around 800 cadets to the National Defence Academy (NDA), the highest from any Sainik School in India. Together, these schools enroll about 1,100 students. Notably, Haryana contributes approximately 10% of soldiers in the armed forces, despite constituting only 2% of the country's population.
Future Outlook and Implications
The shift to an RMS under the PPP mode represents a pragmatic approach to overcome historical delays. This model could streamline funding and management, potentially accelerating the establishment of the institution. The move aligns with broader efforts to enhance military education infrastructure in regions with strong recruitment traditions.
As the village panchayat deliberates on land approval, stakeholders remain hopeful that this renewed initiative will finally bring a military school to Matanhail, honoring the area's legacy and supporting future generations of soldiers.
