Panel formed to prepare CMP blueprint

Pradeep Sharma
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 5

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday set the ball rolling for the preparing the blueprint of the common minimum programme (CMP) of the BJP-JJP government with setting up of an implementation committee under the chairmanship of senior BJP leader Anil Vij, who will also monitor the progress of the CMP.

In reply to the debate on Governor’s Address, Khattar announced that the committee of senior leaders from both alliance partners would prepare the blueprint of the CMP in 15 days.

Amid interruptions by the Congress, the Chief Minister took baby steps towards fulfilling certain promises made by both BJP and JJP in their manifestos. “Twelve common announcements found mention in the Governor’s Address,” Khattar said.

The announcements made by Khattar included an institutional mechanism for providing 75 per cent quota for Haryanvi youths in private industries, maternity leave for outsourced women staff, no liquor vends in villages without the nod of panchayats, free bus travel for cancer patients and their attendants and government’s resolve to waive penalty and interest on farm loans amounting to Rs 4,750 crore.

Khattar and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, meanwhile, engaged in a verbal duel with the latter alleging that it was Haryana’s “misfortune” that the BJP-JJP had formed the government in the state.

Hitting back, Khattar said 57 legislators belonging to the BJP-JJP alliance and seven Independent MLAs accounted for more than 55 per cent vote share, making it a majority government. “In contrast, in 2009, then dispensation led by Hooda was a ‘minority government’ as the vote share of the Congress, the HJC and Independent MLAs in 2009 was 45 per cent,” he quipped.

On pollution, Khattar said farm fires accounted for only 18 to 20 per cent of air pollution. “Two days ago, there was hardly any district in Haryana where air quality index was below the 400 mark. But to say stubble burning alone is responsible is misleading.”

Nuh MLA Aftab Ahmed brought to CM’s notice the sorry state of affairs at Hasan Khan Mewati Hospital in Nuh. Khattar promised to take remedial action.

Bonanza for MLAs

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday announced that development works worth Rs 450 crore would be executed in all 90 Assembly constituencies of the state. For this, he asked all MLAs, irrespective of the political affiliation, to submit him a list of works of Rs 5 crore each to be carried out in their segments.