Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, while addressing a state-level function in Chandigarh on Saturday, highlighted his administration's key initiatives and specifically commended the contributions of Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, the former Haryana DGP who now heads the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
Rozgar Mela Event and Employment Distribution
The event was part of the nationwide online Rozgar Mela organized by the union government, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairing the main ceremony. Across 45 locations in India, approximately 61,000 youths were set to receive employment letters from various departments. In Chandigarh, Khattar personally handed over around 6,000 appointment letters during the program held at the nearby ITBP campus.
Praise for Shatrujeet Kapur's Administrative Excellence
Khattar recalled Kapur's significant role in Haryana, noting his excellent administrative experience beyond his tenure as DGP. He emphasized that Kapur performed commendable work as Managing Director in power distribution, successfully reducing line losses to 12 percent. This acknowledgment underscored the minister's focus on efficient governance and infrastructure development.
Transparency in Employment and Governance Reforms
The minister took a pointed dig at previous governments, alleging that jobs were once distributed through slips, notes, and nepotism, where relatives and those with political connections secured positions. Khattar asserted that after the BJP-led government took over in Haryana in 2014, tough decisions were implemented to ensure jobs were awarded based on merit. He mentioned facing initial opposition but claimed widespread acceptance over time, leading to enhanced job security for contract workers and specific relaxations for Agniveers in government roles.
Initiatives for Youth, Women, and Farmers
Khattar detailed several welfare measures aimed at empowering various segments of society. For youth, he highlighted the establishment of a Skill University in Palwal and the launch of the Chief Minister Samriddhi Yojana, inspired by the central government's Mudra loan scheme, to provide financial support and prevent youth from going astray. For women, over 100 separate colleges were opened, along with improved transport arrangements to facilitate education.
In agriculture, the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal was introduced for farmers' convenience, and direct benefit transfers of Rs 6,000 annually were provided under the Prime Minister's scheme. Khattar also emphasized the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) initiative, which collected comprehensive data on 2.83 crore people in Haryana, enabling targeted welfare like pension disbursals for those above 60 and the identification of BPL families.
Legacy and Future Directions
Reflecting on his tenure as Haryana's first BJP chief minister for two terms before handing over to Nayab Singh Saini, Khattar reiterated the government's commitment to the poor and backward sections. He concluded by affirming that transparency and merit-based systems have become hallmarks of Haryana's governance, ensuring equitable opportunities for all residents.
