Change the mindset about women: Sonia P 38 www.haryanasamvad.gov.in April 2013, Vol 27, Issue 4, Rs 15 Small state, big gains Budget 2013-14 n 3.5 lakh houses for poor n Insurance cover for the BPL n Economy grows at 7.1 per cent n Per capita income Rs 1,23,554 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 EDITORIAL 1 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Small state, big gains CHIEF PATRON Bhupinder Singh Hooda PATRON Pt Shiv Charan Lal Sharma EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dr K K Khandelwal CHIEF EDITOR Sudhir Rajpal MANAGING EDITOR M S Yadav CONSULTING EDITOR Parveen K Modi NEWS BUREAU Ruchi Sharma Swati Sethi COPY DESK Shweta Vashishta LAYOUT & DESIGN Sunil Kumar ILLUSTRATOR Gurpreet Singh PHOTOGRAPHER Randeep Singh PHOTO SUPPORT Gopal Singh Karam Singh Neeraj Chopra Gauri Shankar Jasmer Singh VOL 27, ISSUE 4, APRIL 2013 Edited and published for the Haryana Government by Sudhir Rajpal, IAS, Director General, Information, Public Relations & Cultural Affairs Department, and issued from Samvad, SCO No 137, Sector 17, Panchkula (Haryana). (Mailing address: SCO 23 (FF), Sector 7, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh. Phone 01725055971, 5055977). All rights reserved. Any reproduction of this publication’s contents, in whole or in part, without written permission, is prohibited. Haryana Review does not necessarily agree with the views of the writers/contributors. Website: www.haryanasamvad.gov.in Email: haryanareview@gmail.com Printed at: M/s New PrintIndia Pvt Ltd, A-5, East Krishna Nagar, Delhi 110051 T he momentous month we left behind made Haryana richer and its people proud. We had the Union Budget, Railway Budget and Haryana Budget. While the Railway Budget showered on Haryana a bounty which includes a rail coach factory, a welding plant, new tracks and trains, and extension of some of the existing ones, the Union Budget entitled Haryana, one of the Green Revolution states, to benefit from the Rs 500-crore crop diversification programme. To be implemented in the original Green Revolution states, the proposal will help promote technological innovation, encourage the farmers to choose crop alternatives, and help such states as are facing the recurring problem of stagnating yields and over-exploitation of water resources, an answer to which lies in crop diversification. While the Haryana Assembly voted a motion thanking the Central Government for showering on the state some rail projects, the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, MP from Rohtak, Mr Deepender Singh Hooda, and other leaders thanked the UPA Chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and Railway Minister, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, for addressing the concerns and meeting the long-pending demands of the people of Haryana. The Haryana Budget, presented to the state Assembly by the Finance Minister, Mr Harmohinder Singh Chattha, paints the state’s economy in glowing light. “Haryana’s economy is on the uptick; industry is booming; growth is heading north; exports are soaring, and tax mop-up is efficient. Defying strong headwinds unleashed by the slowdown, Haryana’s GDP growth is estimated to grow at 7.1 per cent in 2012-13. The per capita income at current prices is about Rs 1.24 lakh, up 13.3 per cent over last year”, Mr Chattha told Haryana Review. Haryana continues to draw the ‘who is who’ of India Inc and global biggies. The state has catalysed investment worth Rs 61,000 crore, including FDI worth Rs 13,128 crore since 2005, and investment worth Rs 97,000 crore is in the pipeline. Exports from Haryana have increased from Rs 48,530 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 54,991 crore in 2011-12, registering a jump of more than 13 per cent. In our cover report, we look at the tax-free Haryana Budget from various angles and perspectives to bring to our readers full measure of its import, and decode how it will have a positive rub-off on growth. March being the month of Holi, we seek to capture the festival in all its colours in our photo feature. Read how hockey player Jaspreet Kaur has come back with a bang to the field, defying all social odds against her, in the sports column. In our art and culture section, we bring to you the beauty and joy of spring captured on canvas. g 2 CONTENTS HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 [8] contents Haryana sarkaar ne hamare sapne sakaar kar diye. Eib to hamara bhi apna ghar hoga. Cover story Haryana poised for the big leap p4 Defying strong headwinds, Haryana has made rapid strides in many a field; the Haryana growth story is being told and retold at different fora; and the state is poised to scale new heights of progress and growth Budget puts social icing on progress p8 The Haryana Government has announced the Priyadarshini Awaas Yojna to provide 2 lakh houses to the rural poor, and the Affordable Urban Housing Policy 2013 to build 1.5 lakh houses in urban areas Cover for the BPL and others too p 14 Tonic for health sector p 15 Fiscal health in financial figures p 16 Haryana dons krishi cap again p 18 Services Sector slice grows bigger p 22 An ideal state in the making p 24 Balanced growth sans bias p 30 Fast-track courts for women p 32 Haryana to set up infra board p 34 Rail Budget rains gains for Haryana p 35 CONTENTS 3 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 [30] REPORT Change the mindset on women: Sonia p 38 [35] PHOTO FEATURE The colours of Holi p 40 NEWS IN CAPSULE The month that was p 48 SPORTS Jaspreet defies odds, is back with a bang p 50 ART AND CULTURE The queen of seasons descends on the canvas p 52 POTPOURRI When God made woman p 54 fEEDBACK Feedback page p 55 [52] [50] Those readers who have changed their addresses should intimate it to Deputy Director Magazine, SCO 24, Top Floor, Sector 7-C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh - 160019. Ph. 0172-5055971 4 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Haryana poised Defying strong headwinds, Haryana has made rapid strides in many a field; the Haryana growth story is being told and retold at different fora; and the state is poised to scale new heights of progress and growth Parveen K Modi I f one were to squeeze the Address of the Governor, Mr Jagannath Pahadia, to the state Assembly, the Budget presented by the Finance Minister, Mr Harmohinder Singh Chattha, and the Economic Survey, into one sentence, may be a bit longish one, it would read, “Haryana has made rapid strides in many a field; the Haryana growth story is being told and retold at different fora; and that the state is poised to scale new heights of progress and growth in the near future”. That the state has scaled new peaks in all spheres of development, be it industry and investment, power, agriculture, infrastructure, health or education, has become a talking point. people-friendly policies The people-friendly policies pursued by the state government, led by the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, having inspired efficient work culture, Haryana is today rubbing shoulders with advanced and progressive peers in the country, and is poised to realise the vision of becoming an ideal state. Small wonder, the state has become a preferred destination for investment, both of global and domestic hues. Needless to emphasise, the credit for this goes to the peace loving and hard working people of the state. That the economy is on the uptick is borne out by the following facts. The per capita income at current prices is estimated at Rs 1,23,554 (advance estimates ) in 2012-13, up 13.3 per cent over last year; and Rs 1,41,540 (projected estimates) in 2013-14. Defying global and domestic headwinds, Haryana’s GSDP grew at 7.1 per cent, according to advance estimates for 2012-13. The state has proposed Rs 27,071.32-crore Annual Plan for 2013-14, 18 per cent more than last fiscal. The net outlay for the 201314 Plan is proposed at Rs 18,000 crore, HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 for the big leap 24 per cent more than Rs 14,500 crore for 2012-13. Drags on the economy forced by global and national slowdown notwithstanding, Haryana will be able to achieve the revenue collection target of Rs 19,962 crore under VAT, CST, entertainment duty, passenger and goods tax and excise for 2012-13. “We projected our tax revenue for 2012-13 at Rs 23,873.28 crore and collected Rs 24,289.81 crore as per RE 2012-13 with a growth of 19.07 per cent over 201112”, Mr Chattha told the state Assembly while presenting the Budget. revenue receipts The total revenue receipts were estimated at Rs 37,327.97 crore for 2012-13. According to the revised estimates, the state received Rs 37,824.07 crore, registering a growth of 23.78 per cent over 2011-12. This was achieved without imposing any new taxes on the people. Tax collection remained efficient and the ratio of expenditure to total tax collection up to December, 2012 was 0.59 per cent. The industry-friendly policies pursued by the state government have made Haryana forge ahead on industrial front and emerge as a favourite investment destination. Four Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have already become functional in the IT/ITES sector in Haryana and licenses have been granted for establishment of 35 IT/ Cyber Parks. Also, two Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) Corridors, namely, Delhi-Gurgaon-Rewari-Alwar (158 kms) and Delhi-Sonipat-Panipat (111 kms) are to be developed on priority basis. Home of ‘who is who’ of India Inc and global biggies, Haryana has succeeded in catalysing investment worth Rs 61,000 crore since 2005, and investment worth Rs 97,000 crore is COVER STORY 5 in the pipeline. The state received foreign direct investment (FDI) of Rs 13,128 crore, out of which investment of Rs 9,628 crore came after implementation of the Industrial Policy, 2005. Exports from Haryana increased from Rs 48,530 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 54,991 crore in 2011-12, registering a jump of more than 13 per cent. Power generation at new peak Power having emerged as the cornerstone of prosperity, progress and development, the state government is making all-out efforts to step up generation and strengthen the transmission and distribution network. On generation front, while only 724.4 MW-capacity was added between 1999 and 2005, during the eight years of the present government, the capacity has been augmented by 3,712.80 MW. This is besides some long-term arrangements for procuring power from 6 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 The Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, welcoming the Governor, Mr Jagannath Pahadia, on his arrival for inauguration of the Budget session of the Vidhan Sabha outside the state. In order to assist the beleaguered power distribution companies, the state government has given in-principle concurrence for joining the Central Government’s “Scheme for Financial Restructuring of Distribution Power Utilities”. Financial Restructuring Scheme Under the scheme, the state government will take over the entire short-term and long-term liabilities of power discoms in the next three years. This would enable discoms to claim assistance from the Central Government, subject to committed reduction in the aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses. Determined to provide quality and reliable power supply to the consumers on a sustained basis, the Haryana Government has firmed up plans to invest Rs 2,000 crore in beefing up and improving the transmission and distribution network in the state. On an average, 1,068 lakh units of power was supplied every day to the consumers during the current financial year against 578 lakh units in 2004-05. Haryana has done exceedingly well in agriculture sector. The foodgrain production has reached a record level of 183.42 lakh tonnes during 2011-12. The production of wheat and rice has reached all-time high with 130.69 lakh tonnes of wheat and 37.59 lakh tonnes of rice. The state government plans to establish a State Livestock Mission to meet the challenges of doubling the milk production by 2020 and the requirement of growth in other livestock products. Haryana was again awarded “Krishi Karman Award” by the President of India on January 15, 2013 for achieving highest productivity of wheat in the country for 2011-12. The state also achieved the highest productivity in wheat of 5,182 Kg per hectare. Fight for share of waters The Haryana Governor has, in his Address, expressed the firm resolve of his government to get Haryana’s legitimate share of water as also for expeditious construction of the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal. The government is committed to ensuring equitable distribution of available water in the state.Haryana is a water stressed state having only 14 MAF of water compared to its requirement of 36 MAF. Giving infra a strong push Taking the Public Private Partnership (PPP) route to leverage own funds with funds available with the private sector to give infrastructure the much-needed thrust, the Haryana Government has decided to invest Rs 50,000 crore in different projects in six core sectors during the 12th Five Year Plan. The Committee of Secretaries on Infrastructure had already approved certain projects for implementation. The sectors which will attract investment are: Roads and Highways, Healthcare, Education and Skill Development, Tourism, Urban Transport System and Water Supply, Sanitation and Public Utilities in both urban and rural areas. Haryana has added another to its tally of firsts. It has become the first state in the country to implement the centrally sponsored National Vocational Education Qualification COVER STORY 7 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Framework (NVEQF) project in schools which aims at enhancing the employability of youth through competency-based modular vocational courses. The sports policy of the state government has yielded outstanding results. Out of the six medals won by India in the London Olympics, four were bagged by the sportspersons of Haryana. The state government has now decided to give cash awards to Paralympics sportspersons also at par with other sportspersons. Health indicators Health remains the primary concern of the state government. It has set up an all- woman medical college with 100 MBBS seats and 500-bedded hospital at Khanpur Kalan, the only such college to be established for women in post-independence history of the country; the only other institution of its kind being Lady Hardinge Medical College in Delhi. Besides, a medical college each at Nalhar in Mewat and Karnal are in progress and would become operational soon, increasing the number of government medical colleges in the state to four. The state govern- Haryana has added another to its tally of firsts. It has become the first state in the country to implement the centrally sponsored National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF) project in schools which aims at enhancing the employability of youth through competencybased modular vocational courses ment has allotted 300 acres of land in Badhsa village in Jhajjar District for extension of AIIMS, New Delhi. The Outreach Outdoor Patient Department (OOPD) at the AIIMS-II became functional on November 24, 2012 at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore. The establishment of a National Cancer Institute with 600 beds at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore is under active consideration. There are four more medical colleges in the private sector, and a fifth one is proposed to be commissioned in Majra Sheoraj village in Rewari District in PPP mode. OPDs and IPDs are increasing by the day. In 2012, 1.67 crore persons availed themselves of the public health facility as OPD and 14.2 lakh as indoor patients. free medicines to patients This is a clear evidence of the faith the common man has in government institutions and the growing demand for better public health facilities. In 2012-13, Rs 75.14 crore will be spent on providing free medicines to the patients; the outlay for 2013-14 has been hiked to Rs 96 crore. All efforts are being made to improve health indicators in the state. While the IMR has improved by 4 points (SRS 2011), institutional deliveries have increased to 83 per cent. An ambitious target is proposed for 12th Plan, i.e., by 2017 the IMR will be reduced to 26 from current level of 44, the MMR to 65 from the 153, and the population suffering from anemia will be brought down to 28 from current level of 56.1. g 8 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Budget puts social icing on progress The Haryana Government has announced the Priyadarshini Awaas Yojna to provide 2 lakh houses to the rural poor, and the Affordable Urban Housing Policy 2013 to build 1.5 lakh houses in urban areas Shweta Vashishta I f the Budget presented by the Finance Minister, Mr Harmohinder Singh Chattha, to the State Assembly is the cake made of the astounding economic progress made by Haryana, the social icing on it comes in the shape of the housing schemes for the rural and urban poor, insurance cover for the aam aadmi and infrastructure development to make the lives of its denizens easy and comfortable. Against the background of international and national economy, Haryana’s economy achieved the growth of 7.1 per cent according to advance estimates of GSDP for 2012-13. The per capita income of the state at current prices is estimated at Rs 1,23,554 (advance estimates ) in 2012-13, recording the growth of 13.3 per cent, and Rs 1,41,540 (Projected Estimates) in 2013-14. The Annual Plan outlay for 201314 is proposed at Rs 27,071.32 crore, registering a growth of 18 per cent The Annual Plan outlay for 2013-14 is proposed at Rs 27,071.32 crore, registering a growth of 18 per cent over the 2012-13 fiscal. The net state plan outlay for 2013-14 is proposed at Rs 18,000 crore, which is 24 per cent more than the outlay of Rs 14,500 crore for 2012-13 The Finance Minister, Mr Harmohinder Singh Chattha, all smiles just before presenting the Budget -14 2013 t e g d u B COVER STORY 9 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 over the 2012-13 fiscal. The net state plan outlay for 2013-14 is proposed at Rs 18,000 crore, which is 24 per cent more than the outlay of Rs 14,500 crore for 2012-13. Providing affordable housing to the weaker sections of society is one of the major priorities of the Haryana Government headed by the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Committed to the welfare of the deprived, the state government plans to launch an ambitious housing scheme, named Priyadarshini Awaas Yojna (PAY), to facilitate the housing delivery in rural areas. The objective of the scheme is to ensure housing delivery in rural areas to the eligible/identified families under the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), and other poor families, including those who have been allotted 100 sq yards plots and have no house or have a kutcha house, by providing them financial assistance. grant for building house Initially, 2 lakh families are to be covered in a project span of two years (FY 2013-14 and 2014-15). Each of the beneficiaries, under the scheme (PAY), will be given financial assistance of Rs 81,000 by the state as grant for the construction of a new house. In addition, an assistance of Rs 9,100 shall be provided to each of the beneficiaries for the construction of sanitary latrine in convergence with the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA). Thus, a beneficiary under the scheme will be assisted up to Rs 90,100 through convergence with NBA. The government will provide adequate infrastructural facilities for water and power connections at the doorstep of these beneficiaries. A sum of Rs 350 crore in Budget Estimates 2013-14 has been provided for this purpose, with a similar provision to follow in the next year. The rest of the funds are being raised through the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) to be repaid by the state through the Haryana Rural Development Authority (HRDA). In order to cater to the requirement of affordable housing for the Quality power to consumers Determined to provide quality and reliable power supply to the consumers on a sustained basis, the Haryana Government has firmed up plans to invest Rs 2,000 crore in beefing up and improving the transmission and distribution network in the state. On an average, 1,068 lakh units of power were supplied every day to the consumers in the state during the current financial year against 578 lakh units in 2004-05. On generation front, while only 724.4 MW-capacity was added between 1999 and 2005, during the eight years of the present government, the capacity has been augmented by 3,712.80 MW. This is besides some long-term arrangements for procuring power from outside the state. Power having emerged as the cornerstone of prosperity, progress and development, the state government, led by the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, is making an all-out effort to step up power generation and strengthen the transmission and distribution system. In order to assist the beleaguered power distribution companies, the state government had given inprinciple concurrence to joining the Central Government’s “Scheme for Financial Restructuring of Distribution Power Utilities”. Under the scheme, the state government will take over the entire short-term and long-term liabilities of power distribution companies (discoms) in the next three years. This would enable discoms to claim assistance from the Central Government, subject to committed reduction in the aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses. The scheme would also facilitate financial institutions to provide working capital loans to these utilities. A sum of Rs 5,253.97 crore has been allocated for the power sector. This includes Rs 965.09 crore on plan side and Rs 4,267.88 crore on non plan side. During the last eight years, 340 new substations have been constructed; capacity of 574 substations augmented; and 4,994 km length of new transmission lines laid. A sum of Rs 1,800 crore is being spent for upgradation of 37 transmission networks in 2012-13 and 2013-14. During the 2012-13 (up to December 2012) 13,487 tubewell connections were released and 5,513 tubewell connections would be released by March 31, 2013. Out of 2.36 lakh families living below poverty line, 1,94,442 have been covered under the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana. Various other schemes have also been launched to bring about technological improvement in the distribution network. For consumer satisfaction, a special campaign was launched on January 1, 2013 to expand and strengthen the distribution network in villages, wards, and sectors at the cost of Rs 500 crore. Information Communication Technologies, a very effective computerised system for energy audit, automatic meter reading, and customer care, will be implemented in 36 towns in the next one year. Special drives and campaigns are being undertaken for reduction of losses by curbing the theft of electricity, strengthening the infrastructure and recovery of dues from defaulters. A sum of Rs 4,260.25 crore has been allocated for subsidising power consumption by farmers for operating agricultural pump sets in 2013-14. 10 COVER STORY weaker sections residing in the urban areas, the government will construct 1.5 lakh houses during the next financial year 2013-14 and 2014-15 through the Housing Board Haryana, Urban Local Bodies Department and Town & Country Planning Department. Affordable Urban Housing Policy 2013 has been announced with different models for the construction of below poverty line/economically weaker section (BPL/EWS) and low income group (LIG) houses through the Housing Board Haryana, Urban Local Bodies Department and Town & Country Planning Department, Low income group houses HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 and also through public private partnership. A Public Private Partnership (PPP) model has been proposed under which the private developer will be provided liberal concession in Change Land Use (CLU) charges and External Development Charges (EDC), licence fee, additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and facilities of transferable development rights. Financial institutions have been mobilised to provide loan assistance to the beneficiaries under the Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP) and interest subsidy of 5 per cent will be available up to loan of Rs 1 lakh. The beneficiaries will be provided a unit of 300 sq feet super area at highly subsidised rates. Tapping more resources to beef up infrastructure, the state government has decided to use the Building Construction Workers Cess Fund corpus which has not been utilised optimally. The fund will now be used to build infrastructure, including dispensaries, poly-clinics, anganwaris, primary schools, sewerage and public health facilities, including drains, public toilets, etc. This infrastructure in areas largely inhabited by building COVER STORY 11 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 construction workers can also be utilised by other poor people. It will help galvanise about Rs 1,000 crore in a matter of one or two years for their benefit. Taking the PPP route to leverage own funds with funds available with the private sector to give infrastructure the much-needed thrust, the Haryana Government has decided to invest Rs 50,000 crore in different projects in six core sectors across the state during the 12th Five Year Plan. The Committee of Secretaries on Infrastructure has already approved Clusters of industrial growth Recognising the employment potential of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which constitute the backbone of the manufacturing sector, the Haryana Government has decided to set up 15 clusters with Common Facility Centres (CFCs) in the public-private partnership mode. Sites for setting up the clusters have been identified and diagnostic study reports (DSRs) prepared for eight clusters and submitted to the Central Government for appraisal. Three of the clusters, proposed to be set up in Bahadurgarh, Panipat and Karnal, have already been approved for setting up CFCs by the Central Government. Four additional CFCs are expected to be approved before March 31, 2013. These clusters were envisaged to put into place an institutional support mechanism to facilitate growth and competitiveness of this sector and would address the common needs of MSMEs in the areas of research & development, technology upgradation support, standardisation of products, quality testing and marking facilities, marketing initiatives with promotion of branding of products etc. The initiative is oriented to build a social capital so as to strengthen collective action which will provide spillover effects of economies of scale, credit facilitation, technology upgradation, brand building and marketing. Haryana continues to retain its position as a preferred investment destination. The rate of the implementation of pledged investment in the state is highest in the country. As many as 1,054 IEMs, catalysing an investment of Rs 40,538.65 crore with employment potential for 3,22,486 persons were filed with the Central Government during 200512, of which 852 IEMs have been implemented with an investment of Rs 25,760.48 crore providing employment to 2,05,776 persons. Despite the market uncertainties and volatility at the international and national level, an investment of Rs 61,000 crore has been catalysed since 2005, with an investment of about Rs 97,000 crore being in the pipeline. Haryana has so far received foreign direct investment of Rs 13,128 crore, of which, an investment of Rs 9,628 crore has come up after the implementation of the Industrial Policy, 2005. The total exports from the state have increased from Rs 48,530 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 54,991 crore in 2011-12 registering an increase of more than 13 per cent. While HSIIDC has developed infrastructure for technology parks and electronics hardware technology parks to promote IT sector at four locations, i.e. Panchkula, IMT Manesar, Kundli and Rai in Sonipat, the ‘ready to move in space’ is being created largely by the private sector with the help of the pro-active policies of the state government. Four SEZs have already become functional in the IT and ITES sector and licenses have been granted for the establishment of 35 IT and cyber parks. State’s share in the IT and ITES sector exports during 201112 is estimated about 6 per cent of total export from India and the state accounts for 6.8 per cent of the employment in the IT sector throughout the country. A sum of Rs 85.7 crore has been allocated for this sector during 201314, which is Rs 33.54 crore (64.3 pc) higher than the allocation for 2012-13. 12 COVER STORY certain projects for implementation. The sectors which will attract investment are: Roads and Highways, Healthcare, Education and Skill Development, Tourism, Urban Transport System and Water Supply, Sanitation and Public Utilities in both urban and rural areas. The state government plans to appoint transaction advisors to prepare a basket of projects in each of these segments for implementation The Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) and the Infrastructure Augmentation Charges (IAC) which have more than Rs 1,500 crore, with regular revenue stream every year, will be utilised by the Haryana In- HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 frastructure Development Board to be constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. Economic Stimulus Package For infrastructure investment, Economic Stimulus Package has been enhanced from Rs 420 crore in 2012-13 to Rs 850 crore in 2013-14. There is plan to provide Rs 415 crore for public health services, including water supply and sanitation, Rs 350 crore for health and medical education and Rs 52 crore for PWD (B&R) and Rs 33 crore for the Industries Department. Extension of Delhi Metro to YMCA Chowk Faridabad with the corridor length of 13.875 km is being executed at a cost of Rs 2,494 crore. For this, Haryana is contributing Rs 557.4 crore. Further extension from YMCA Chowk to Ballabhgarh, which is 3.2 km away, the state has recently given its approval at a cost of approximately Rs 599 crore. Extension of Delhi Metro from Mundka to City Park Bahadurgarh, having length of 11.182 km and total cost of Rs 1,991 crore, was approved on February 2, 2013. The Haryana Government will contribute Rs 787.96 crore during the project period up to March, 2016. The Central Government has allocated Rs 16.86 crore for making nine COVER STORY 13 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Mr Chattha presenting Budget proposals for 2013-14 state. Under the mission, a revised budgetary allocation of Rs 542.7 crore was made for 2012-13, out of which Rs 366.26 crore has already been released to the municipalities for various urban development activities. Inspired by development in the urban areas during the current financial year, the state government has proposed an allocation of Rs 624.11 crore in the Budget for 201314. With a view to augmenting the resources of civic bodies, it has been decided under the new excise policy to enhance the allocation for local bodies from Rs 5 per bottle to Rs 7 per bottle in IMFL, Rs 3 per bottle to Rs 5 per bottle in country liquor and Rs 2 per bottle to Rs 3 per bottle of beer. This will increase the devolution of urban local bodies by Rs 51 crore. The Haryana Budget has allocated Rs 1,867 crore for urban local bodies in 2013-14 which is Rs 712.8 crore (62 per cent) higher than the allocation for the current year on plan side. Taking the PPP route cities of Haryana slum-free under the Rajiv Awaas Yojana. These are Gurgaon, Faridabad, Karnal, Panchkula, Rohtak, Panipat, Ambala, Yamunanagar and Hisar. A sum of Rs 1.51 crore had already been released for conducting the survey for the purpose. Provision of Rs 50.99 crore has been made for 2013-14 for implementation of the scheme. The Haryana Government has taken several initiatives to improve civic amenities in the urban areas. The Rajiv Gandhi Urban Development Mission (RGUDMH) has been launched for beefing up urban infrastructure in mission mode approach in all the urban local bodies of the Since roads constitute the arteries to growth, the state government has taken the PPP route to lay new roads and improve the old ones. The first road project of Haryana on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis for improvement of Gurgaon –Faridabad, Ballabgarh- Sohna and three other roads was completed with a negative grant of Rs 150.30 crore. Four laning project of Rai Malikpur (Rajasthan Border)-Narnaul-Mahendragarh- Dadri- Bhiwani- Kharak Corridor has been taken up on Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) basis over a length of 151 km with estimated cost of Rs 1,605 crore. An investment of about Rs 400 crore would be made by the state for the acquisition of land and payment of utility shifting. This project will improve road connectivity to the state of Rajasthan. The concession agreement was signed on November 30, 2012 and work is likely to be started by July, 2013 and scheduled to be completed by December, 2015. Since roads constitute the arteries to growth, the state government has taken the PPP route to lay new roads and improve the old ones. The first road project of Haryana on Build-Operate-Transfer basis for improvement of Gurgaon–Faridabad, Ballabgarh–Sohna and three other roads was completed with a negative grant of Rs 150.3 crore Four laning of Yamunanagar-Ladwa (Section of SH-06) and LadwaKarnal Section of State Highway No-7, including Ladwa bypass on DBFOT basis with a length of 54 km and an estimated Civil Project Cost of Rs 395.72 crore, has been taken up with VGF support. An expenditure of Rs 194 crore shall be incurred by the state for land acquisition and utility shifting, out of which a sum of Rs 50 crore has been allocated during the RE 2012-13. Work is likely to be started during 2013-14 and is likely to be completed by December, 2015. The state government has approved the following five roads stretches to be improved under PPP mode: Meerut-Sonipat up to Bahalagarh Chowk (Length 11.58 km); Panipat-Sanoli road SH-16 (Length 18.31 km); Kond-Munak-Salwan-Assandh road MDR 114 (Length 37.85 km); Palwal-Aligarh up to border (Length 15.41 km); and Karnal-Meerut Road (Length 15.40 km). Four out of the above said five roads lead to the state of Uttar Pradesh and improvement of these roads shall improve the road connectivity to Uttar Pradesh. An investment of more than Rs 50 crore shall be made by the state for land acquisition, etc. Thus, with the above initiatives the Haryana Government will be able to further accelerate the pace of economic and social development of the state. g 14 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Cover for the BPL and others too Shweta Vashishta T hat the state government cares for the man in the street and is committed to the welfare of the people cutting across the rural-urban divide, is underscored by the host of initiatives unfolded in the Budget. These initiatives encompass women, children and the poor. What is bound to bring a ray of hope in the life of the common man and a smile on his face is the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana being launched in Haryana in 2013-14. The Rs 37 crore-scheme will bring insurance cover to the rural and urban BPL households and families marginally above the poverty line. It will provide insurance cover of Rs 30,000 on natural death, Rs 37,500 on partial permanent disability due to accident and Rs 75,000 on death or total permanent disability due to accident. Add on benefit of scholarship @ Rs 100 pm for each child (maximum of two children) studying between IXth to XIIth standard, including ITI courses, will also be provided. Other initiatives For effective and efficient implementation of the District Plan Scheme, the Government has constituted the District Development and Monitoring Committee in each district under the chairmanship of the minister-in-charge of the District Griev- ances Redressal Committee. The state government has also approved the constitution of 21 Fast Track Courts, one in each district, to expedite the trial in crime against women. The Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) is a new umbrella scheme which is being started during 2013-14. It will strengthen the Panchayati Raj System across the state and address critical gaps that constrain it. democratic decision making It will enhance capacities and effectiveness of Panchayats and Gram Sabhas enabling democratic decision making and accountability in Panchayats, thereby promoting people’s participation. During 201314, Rs 85 crore is provided for this new scheme. For promotion of sports through a multi-pronged approach, an allocation of an outlay of Rs 100 crore under Plan side is made, giving an increase of 100 per cent from last year. This would assist the Sports Department in completing most of the sports infrastructure projects in the state and boost investment in new projects. Under the National River Conservation Programme, two projects for augmentation of sewerage facilities and construction of Sewage Treatment Plants for Sonipat and Panipat towns have been approved at the cost of Rs 88.36 crore and Rs 129.51 crore, respectively to be completed by 201516. There is a proposal to provide Rs 50 crore for the development of water bodies in the state. This new scheme to be implemented by the Irrigation Department includes development of large water bodies, like Kotla Lake in Mewat, Bibipur Lake in Kurukshetra and Peer Bhaudi Lake, Rohtak, and such other places where stored water can then be utilised for irrigating fields by the farmers in the area. The Integrated Financial and Human Resource Management Information System (IF & HRMIS) is being developed to make budgetary controls more effective, improve cash flow management, promote day-wise reconciliation of accounts and bring about transparency and efficiency in public delivery systems, and better financial management along with improved quality of governance in the state. A provision of Rs 7 crore is made in 2013-14 for this project. The Urban Health Mission is being started to address the health concerns of the urban poor through facilitation of equitable access to available health facilities by rationalising and strengthening the existing capacity of health delivery for improving the health status of urban poor. A provision of Rs 14 crore has been made during 2013-14. health infrastructure New poly clinics, dispensaries and other health infrastructure will be provided in the first phase. The Indira Bal Swasthya Yojana (IBSY) is also a new scheme to provide free treatment to all children in the state for which an amount of Rs 1.5 crore is provided during 2013-14. A sum of Rs 16 crore has been provided in 2013-14 to set up the National Law University in Sonipat, and new Government Engineering Colleges at Rewari and Jhajjar. The state government has approved NABARD-assisted project of Rs 68 crore for construction of 6,095 separate toilets for girls along with 2,910 hand pumps for water in 2,910 government high/higher secondary schools in rural areas of the state. The project will be completed in three years from 2013-14 onwards. g COVER STORY 15 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Tonic for health sector The Finance Minister has announced a slew of proposals in the health sector while presenting the Haryana Budget for 2013-14 to give a boost to health and medical education facilities in the state of new medical colleges has been proposed. The commission of a medical college at Village Majra Sheoraj in Rewari District under PPP mode has been proposed. A medical college each is being built at Nalhar in Mewat and Karnal, and are expected to become operational soon. The Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College, with 100 MBBS seats and a 500-bedded hospital, has been established at Khanpur Kalan – the only such college established for women post-independence. hookah bar free state Aditi Ahuja A four-point drop in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in one year; the setting up of an all-woman medical college at Khanpur Kalan; and the distinction of being the first ‘hookah bar free’ state of India. Buoyed by these, and many more achievements in the fields of healthcare and medical education in the state, the Finance Minister, Mr Harmohinder Singh Chattha, announced a slew of proposals in the health sector while presenting the Budget for 2013-14 in the State Assembly. He said that under the 13th Finance Commission, the government had approved major upgradation projects for hospitals at Narnaul, Samalkha, Siwani, Panchkula, Jind and Palwal. Also, eight Community Health Centres, eleven Primary Health Centres and an additional block of the General Hospital at Narnaund (Hisar) are to be constructed. The district hospital at Yamunanagar is also being upgraded. The government has allotted 300 acres of land in Badhsa village in Jhajjar for the extension of AIIMS, New Delhi. It is also considering the establishment of a National Cancer Institute with a capacity of 600 beds at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore. The project will take three years for completion. In order to improve health indicators in the state, the government has proposed an ambitious target for the 12th Plan – by 2017; IMR will be reduced to 26 from the current level of 44. Also, the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) will be reduced to 65 from 153, and population suffering from anaemia will be brought down to 28 from 56.1. IMR improved In the previous year, IMR had improved by 4 points according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2011 and institutional deliveries had improved to 83 per cent. Under the Ayush programme, the new Drug Testing Laboratory and Pharmacy at Kurukshetra will be operationalised, for which the buildings have already been completed. Facility for CT scan and MRI scan in all the district hospitals at highly subsidised rates by bringing in private investment on the PPP mode will also be provided. In order to give a boost to medical education in the state, construction Listing the achievements of the state, Mr Chattha announced that Haryana was declared the first ‘hookah bar free’ state in the country in 2012-13, and strenuous efforts were on to make it a ‘medical intoxicants free’ state in 201314. In the state, the conviction for violations under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act is more than 75 per cent, which is the highest in the country. Haryana was also the first state to implement the provisions of the Infant Milk Substitute, Feeding Bottle and Infant Food (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 1992/ Amendment Act 2003. This Act discourages advertisements and promotion of infant milk substitute products and promotes breast feeding. Haryana has also become the first state in North India to start online sale of licenses to chemist shops. The government has proposed to start online licensing and registration of Food Business Processors under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This year, Rs 477.39 crore has been allocated to the health sector, constituting a growth of 62 per cent over the budget estimate of 2012-13 on plan side. Also, Rs 400 crore has been allocated for medical education, with a growth of 69 per cent over the budget estimate of 2012-13 on plan side. g 16 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Fiscal health in financial figures The Haryana Budget paints the state’s resources management in good light with key indicators pointing to the right direction Parveen K Modi T he Haryana Budget, presented by the Finance Minister, Mr Harmohinder Singh Chattha, to the state Assembly, paints the state’s fiscal and resources management in good light. Key financial figures speak for the fiscal health of the economy of the state. Riding buoyancy in revenue generation, the state government, led by Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has managed the debt situation well; outperformed other states in mopping up resources; and improved certain ratios that speak for good financial governance. “Haryana has outperformed major states in mobilising financial resources, topped the revenue collection target for 2012-13 by close to Rs 500 crore, and is well on way to the debt sustainability path,” the Finance Minister, Mr Harmohinder Singh Chattha, told Haryana Review. resource mobilisation According to the Working Group on State Financial Resources for the 12th Plan, set up by the Planning Commission, against the national average mobilisation of 92.5 per cent of the projections made in the 11th Five-Year Plan, Haryana was able to mop up resources to the extent of 192 per cent of the projected mobilisation. Mr Chattha said with a view to ensuring sustainable debt management, the 12th Finance Commission had recommended that interest payment to total revenue receipts ratio should be 15 per cent, instead of 18 per cent, prescribed by the 11th Finance Commission. In Haryana, this ratio was 12.71 per cent during the 11th Five Year Plan. “It implies that the state is on the debt sustainability path”, Mr Chattha added. Slowdown notwithstanding, Haryana will be able to achieve the revenue collection target of Rs 19,962 crore under Value Added Tax (VAT), Central COVER STORY 17 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Sales Tax (CST), entertainment duty, passenger and goods tax and excise for the current year. “We projected our tax revenue for 2012-13 at Rs 23,873.28 crore and we collected Rs 24,289.81 crore according to Revised Estimates (RE) 2012-13 with a growth of 19.07 per cent over 2011-12”, Mr Chattha said. NO NEW TAXES The total revenue receipts were estimated at Rs 37,327.97 crore for 2012-13 and as per RE 2012-13, the state received Rs 37,824.07 crore, registering a growth of 23.78 per cent over 2011-12. This was achieved without imposing any new taxes on the people. Tax collection remained efficient as the ratio of expenditure to total tax collection up to December, 2012 was 0.59 per cent. “This remarkable achievement has been made in spite of the fact that in 2012-13, the state government reduced VAT from 12.5 per cent to five per cent on surgical tables and surgical lights used for surgery of patients in operation theatres, and bitumen emulsion and crumb rubber-modified bitumen to provide relief to general public”, Mr Chattha said. growth in VAT For 2013-14, revenue receipts have been estimated at Rs 43,780.33 crore, 15.75 per cent more than RE for 2012-13. The tax revenue of Rs 28,784.34 crore represents growth of 18.5 per cent over RE for 2012-13. The growth in VAT is assumed at 17.26 per cent, and in excise 33.33 per cent. The revenue expenditure is expected to grow at 12.77 per cent to Rs 46,223.56 crore. “The revenue deficit as a percentage of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP); fiscal deficit as a percentage of GSDP; the ratio of salary and pension to total revenue receipts; and the debt-GSDP ratio are set to register a decline in 2013-14,” Mr Chattha said. This underscores the state government’s commitment of zero burden (no fresh taxes) on the residents of the state. The revenue deficit as a percentage to GSDP will further decline to 0.59 according to Budget Estimates (BE) 2013-14 against 0.9 in 2012-13 (RE). The fiscal deficit as a percentage tof GSDP will also fall from 2.3 per cent in 2012-13 (RE) to 2.2 per cent in 2013-14. Then, the For 2013-14, revenue receipts have been estimated at Rs 43,780.33 crore, 15.75 per cent more than RE for 2012-13. The tax revenue of Rs 28,784.34 crore represents growth of 18.5 per cent over RE for 2012-13. The growth in VAT is assumed at 17.26 per cent, and in excise 33.33 per cent ratio of salary and pensions to total revenue receipts is also expected to come down from 38.68 per cent in 201213 (RE) to 37.94 per cent in 2013-14 (BE), the Finance Minister added. The debt-GSDP ratio too is estimated to decline favourably from 16.5 per cent in 2012-13 (RE) to 16.47 per cent in 2013-14 (BE), well within the target of 22.8 per cent prescribed by the 13th Finance Commission. Haryana expects a growth of 17.26 per cent in VAT in 2013-14 to yield Rs 19,288.61 crore. The excise policy announced by the government will yield Rs 4,000 crore; and stamps and registration, passengers and goods tax, share from central taxes, vehicle taxes, etc, will take receipts under tax revenue to Rs 32,268.24 crore. annual plan outlay With a view to achieving the objective of “faster, inclusive and sustainable growth” in the 12th Five Year Plan, an outlay of Rs 2,7071.32 crore has been proposed for the Annual Plan 2013-14, 18 per cent over and above the RE of 2012-13. This outlay includes an amount of Rs 7,512.83 crore for State Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) and Rs 1,558.49 crore for local bodies to be met out from their own resources”, Mr Chatha said. The enhanced Plan budget is expected to propel growth in 2013-14 as it will help expand capacity in the economy. A conscious effort has been made to reduce the revenue deficit for 2013-14 to Rs 2,443.23 crore, with available resources and key initiatives outside the budget involving public-private partici ation, and leveraging other funds being maintained by different entities, Mr Chattha added. g 18 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 The Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, receiving Krishi Karman Award for the second time in a row for highest wheat production from the President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee Haryana dons krishi cap again For the second consecutive year, the state has been awarded the Krishi Karman Award for achieving the highest wheat production and productivity in the country Ruchi Sharma H aryana has set a trend of tremendous achievement in wheat productivity. For the second consecutive year, the state has been awarded the Krishi Karman Award for Best Performing State in Wheat Category for 2011-12. The President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, conferred this award on the Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, on January 15, 2013 at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. The award consists of Rs 1 crore in cash, a trophy and citation. Haryana has been given this award for highest wheat production of 130.69 lakh tonnes with productivity of 5,182 kg per hectare during 2011-12. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, had conferred the same award on the state for 2010-11 last year. Haryana is the second largest contributor of food grains to the Central pool. More than 60 per cent export of basmati rice is taking place from the state alone. Similarly, Haryana achieved an impressive level of productivity of 1,869 kg per hectare under mustard crop during 2010-11, which was highest in the country. The state has increased sugarcane prices to the tune of Rs 45 per quintal for all varieties during 2012-13. The state per capita per day milk availability is 708 grams against national average of 281 grams. The target for 2013-14 is to set up 600 hitech and mini units, produce 71.15 lakh tonnes of milk, 43,000 lakh eggs and 13.80 lakh kg of wool with plan outlay of Rs 125 crore. The agriculture sector has always been an important contributor to the State Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As a consequence of rapid structural transition of the state economy over the years, the contribution of the Agriculture & Allied Sector at constant (2004-05) prices went down to only 16.7 per cent in the State GDP during 2011-12. Agri growth vital The economic growth of the state has become more sensitive to the growth rates in industry and services sectors during the past few years but the recent experience suggests that high GDP growth without consistent and rapid agricultural growth is likely to accelerate inflation in the state which would jeopardise the larger growth process. Therefore, the growth of the Agriculture and Allied Sector continued to be a critical factor in the overall performance of the state economy. The Agriculture & Allied Sector is COVER STORY 19 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 composed of Agriculture, Forestry & Logging and Fishing Sub-sectors. Agriculture including crop husbandry and dairy farming is the main component contributing about 95 per cent in GDP of Agriculture & Allied Sector. The contribution of Forestry and Fishing sub-sectors in GDP of Agriculture and Allied activities is merely around 4 and 1 per cent, respectively resulting in very low impact of these two sub-sectors on the overall growth of Agriculture & Allied Sectors. Horticulture PRODUCTION The Horticulture Sector with coverage over 6.61 per cent of gross cropped area i.e. 4.30 lakh hectares is yielding production of 57.11 lakh MTs, comprising 4.76 lakh MTs of fruits over 47,036 hectares, 50.68 lakh MTs of vegetables over 3.56 lakh hectares, 64,150 MTs of flowers over 6,340 hectares and 93,585 MTs spices over 18,092 hectares during 2011-12. As many as 260 Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) and five producer organisation groups were formed during 2012-13 to arrange, procure and sell collectively the produce in the market. The Horticulture Bio Technology Centre is being set up at Shamgarh, Karnal, to develop potato seeds through micro tuber breeder which Haryana is second largest contributor of food grains to the Central Pool. More than 60 per cent export of basmati rice is taking place from the state alone. Similarly, Haryana has achieved an impressive level of productivity of 1,869 kg/ hectare under mustard crop during 2010-11, which was highest in the country will be distributed at nominal rates to farmers. Under the National Horticulture Mission, Centre for Subtropical Fruits at Ladwa, Kurukshetra for Rs 5 crore, Integrated Bee Development Centre at Murthal, Sonipat for Rs 10 crore and Flower project at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University (CCSHAU), Hisar for Rs 15 crore have been approved in principle. A substantial provision of Rs 150 crore has been made for assisting the Cooperative Sugar Mills in the state in paying the State Advised Price (SAP) to the sugarcane growers. The state government has decided to pay Rs 276 per quintal for the early varieties, Rs 271 per quintal for the middle and Rs 266 per quintal for the late varieties of sugarcane which is higher than the previous year by Rs 45 per quintal for each variety. The Haryana State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (HSCARDB) has been provided with Rs 142 crore to enable the sustenance of the long-term cooperative structure. During 2013-14, a sum of Rs 107 crore has been provided for the same purpose. A budget of Rs 1,854.29 crore has been allocated for agriculture sector during 2013-14 which is Rs 272.57 crore (13 per cent) higher than the allocation of Revised Estimates (RE) for the current year. This includes Rs 1,084.87 crore on Plan side and Rs 769.42 crore on Non Plan side. Increased storage capacity Efforts have been made to increase covered storage capacity for foodgrains in a big way. As on March 31, 2012, the state had covered storage capacity of 48.79 LMT, which included 2.94 LMT capacity added in the last three years. Further, storage capacity to the tune of 15.49 LMT is likely to be added during 2012-13. In addition, during 2013-14, the Wheat yields prosperity 20 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 per cent), barley (17.7 per cent) and fruits (32.5 per cent) during the year. The average annual growth of Agriculture and Allied Sector of the State recorded as 3.9 percent during the 11th Five Year Plan was slightly higher than that achieved at all India level (3.7 per cent). The gross area sown in the state during 1966-67 was 45.99 lakh hectares which has increased to 65.05 lakh hectares in 2012-13. The contribution of area under wheat and paddy crops to the total gross area sown is about 58 per cent. The area under commercial crops i.e. sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds has fluctuating trends. food grains production up Capsicum cultivation at Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Gharaunda procurement agencies of the state have been directed to add another 22 lakh MT storage capacity, for which necessary action is being taken by the concerned agencies. This would significantly increase the covered storage capacity in the state leading to minimum storage losses of food grains. High procurement The state has procured substantially higher quantities of wheat and paddy during the year 2012-13 as compared to last year-- 87.16 LMT of wheat and 38.46 LMT of paddy as compared to 69.28 LMT of wheat and 29.66 LMT of paddy during the previous year. The state ensured the payment of Minimum Support Price (MSP) to all the farmers by arranging adequate finances for this purpose. The growth rates recorded individually for agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors during 2011-12 were 8.6, 2.1 and 12.8 per cent, respectively. The encouraging growth of 8.6 per cent in agriculture sector could be possible mainly due to the sharp rise in production of paddy (8.5 per cent), wheat (12.9 per cent), cotton (50 per cent), sugarcane (15.2 per cent), maize (26.3 A remarkable increase in food grains production is visible in the state since its inception. The food grains production in the state has reached an impressive level of 183.42 lakh tonnes during 2011-12, registering an increase of about seven times as compared to a meagre 25.92 lakh tonnes production in 1966-67. The wheat and paddy crops have played a major role in pushing up the agricultural production. The production of wheat and rice (the main cereal crops of the state) has achieved an all-time high production. The production of wheat during 2011-12 was 130.69 lakh tonnes and Production of major crops (000 tonnes) Year Wheat Rice Total Oilseeds Cotton Sugarcane F/Grain (000 bales) 1966-67 1,059 223 2,592 92 288 5,100 1970-71 2,342 460 4,771 99 373 7,070 1980-81 3,490 1,259 6,036 188 643 4,600 1990-91 6,436 1,834 9,559 638 1,155 7,800 2000-01 9,669 2,695 13,295 563 1,383 8,170 2005-06 8,853 3,194 13,006 830 1,502 8,310 2006-07 10,059 3,371 14,759 837 1,805 9,651 2007-08 10,232 3,606 15,294 617 1,882 8,850 2008-09 11,360 3,299 16,405 911 1,862 5,206 2009-10 10,488 3,628 15,345 862 1,918 5,707 2010-11 11,578 3,465 16,566 945 1,747 6,040 2011-12 13,069 3,759 18,342 771 2,621 6,959 2012-13 12,434 3,976 17,621 947 2,384 7,490 (Provisional) COVER STORY 21 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Average yield of wheat and rice in Haryana and at all India level (kg per hect) production of rice during 2011 was 37.59 lakh tonnes, registering twelvefold increase in wheat and seventeen-fold increase in rice production as compared to 10.59 lakh tonnes and 2.23 lakh tonnes production, respectively during 1966-67. Wheat Rice Wheat Rice 2000-01 4,106 2,557 2,708 1,901 average yield 2005-06 3,844 3,051 2,619 2,102 2006-07 4,232 3,238 2,708 2,131 2007-08 4,158 3,361 2,785 2,203 2008-09 4,614 2,724 2,907 2,178 2009-10 4,215 3,008 2,907 2,125 2010-11 4,624 2,788 2,938 2,240 2011-12 5,182 3,044 NA 2,207 2012-13 (Provisional) 4,950 3,272 NA NA The average yield of wheat and rice at all India level was 2,938 and 2,240 kg per hectare, whereas in Haryana it was 5,182 and 3,044 kg per hectare, respectively during 2011-12. The average yield of wheat and rice during 2012-13 is estimated at 4,950 and 3,272 kg per hectare, respectively in the state. The Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS) was for the first time started in the state during Rabi 2009-10. Presently, WBCIS is being implemented in 18 blocks of 17 districts in the state. Wheat and paddy are primarily covered, whereas cotton and bajra have also been taken in one block each. The Modified National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) was for the first time started in the state during Kharif 2011 on pilot basis in Karnal and Kaithal districts for paddy crop. Presently, MNAIS is being implemented in four districts, namely Karnal, Kaithal Rohtak and Jind, for wheat and paddy crops. The scheme is going to be implemented at village level as a unit. premium slabs There is a provision of 40 to 75 per cent subsidy depending on various premium slabs from 2 to 15 per cent. All the claims are given by the implementing agencies. As many as 93,415 farmers have been covered up to Kharif 2012-13. An amount of Rs 2,253.19 lakh as premium has been collected up to Kharif 2012-13 and claim of Rs 3,438 lakh paid till 2011-12. The Central Government has launched two new centrally-sponsored schemes, namely National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) from Rabi 2007-08. The main objective of NFSM is to increase the production of wheat and pulses through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner in the identified Year Haryana India privilege of being a pioneer in adoptThe average yield of ing Sprinkler Irrigation Technology wheat and rice at all in the country. During the current India level was 2,938 financial year, 8,000 new sprinkler sets and 2,240 kg per hectare, are likely to be added, raising the total number of sprinkler sets to 1,35,283 in whereas in Haryana it the state. These sets are functioning was 5,182 and 3,044 kg mostly in the arid and semi-arid belts per hectare, respectively of the state. during 2011-12. The popular water-saving method average yield of wheat Laying out underground pipeline and rice during 2012-13 system is popular water-saving is estimated at 4,950 and method being adopted by the farmers. During 2011-12, 18,932 hectares area 3,272 kg per hectare, was brought under this system and Rs respectively in the state 28.81 crore were utilised for providing districts in the state. An amount of Rs 55.1 crore has been allocated during 2012-13 under NFSM. The main objective of RKVY is to help/achieve the growth target of 4 per cent per annum in agriculture and allied sectors. RKVY is aimed at incentivising the states to invest more in agriculture and allied sectors and it offers considerable flexibility to the state in the planning, selection and approval of the project. For optimum use of scarce irrigation resources, underground pipeline system is promoted and an amount of Rs 45 crore is being spent on the activities under RKVY. Haryana can legitimately claim the assistance @ 50 per cent of the cost of system with maximum ceiling of Rs 60,000 per beneficiary. During the year 2012-13, an amount of Rs 45 crore has been approved under RKVY to cover an area of 36,000 hectares. This year, instead of Farm Darshan, Kisan Mela (Rabi) was organised on September 12-13, 2012 to show the field trials and experiments conducted on various Kharif crops. The seed of improved varieties of Rabi crops and fertilisers worth Rs 63,34,000 were sold. The CCS Haryana Agricultural University publications were also sold for value of Rs 93,160. The university for the first time established Agro-Industrial Exhibition during Kisan Mela (Rabi). g 22 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Services Sector slice grows bigger The rise in the Services Sector’s share in the GDP of Haryana marks a structural shift in the state economy and takes it closer to the fundamentals of a developed economy Ruchi Sharma S ervices Sector has come to rule the roost. This aptly sums up and defines Haryana’s economy today. The Services Sector contributes the maximum share --54.6 per cent-- to the GDP of the state. Earlier, the economy was agriculture based but with the passage of time, it has undergone a significant structural transformation which is seen as a sign of maturing of the economy. At the inception of the state, the contribution of Agriculture and Allied Sector to the GDP was the biggest but today the Services Sector has de-pedestalled it. Over the years, the share of Agriculture and Allied Sector in GDP declined from 60.7 per cent (1969-70) to 28.1 per cent (2001-02) while the share of Industries Sector increased from 17.6 per cent (1969-70) to 28.6 per cent (2001-02) and the share of Services Sector increased from 21.7 per cent (1969-70) to 43.3 per cent (2001-02). In the last 10 years, the pace of structural transformation of state economy has accelerated and the state is set on a high growth trajectory. robust growth As a result of the robust growth recorded in Services Sector, the share of Services Sector in state GDP further strengthened to 54.6 per cent in 2011-12 and that of Agriculture & Allied Sector decreased to 16.7 per cent. COVER STORY 23 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 The composition of State GDP thus shows, that the share of Agriculture & Allied Sector is continuously declining, whereas the share of Services Sector is continuously increasing. The same trend in structural transition has been pointed out in the national economy. The share of Agriculture & Allied Sector in the national GDP has also decreased from 19 per cent in 2004-05 to 14.1 per cent in 2011-12 whereas the share of Services Sector has increased from 53 per cent in 2004-05 to 58.4 per cent in 2011-12. major share in GDP The rise in the Services Sector’s share in GDP marks a structural shift in the state economy and takes it closer to the fundamentals of a developed economy (in the developed economy, the Industry and Service sectors contribute a major share in GDP while agriculture accounts for a relatively lower share). The Services Sector with the robust growth rate of 13.6 and 11.6 per cent recorded during 2007-08 and 2008-09, respectively, acted as the main catalyst for sustaining the economic growth of the state above 8 per cent. During 2009-10, the robust growth of 11.7 per cent was achieved due to high growth of Services Sector (17 per cent) followed by Industry Sector (11.4 per cent). During 2010-11, the growth of 8.8 per cent could be achieved in spite of the low growth posted in Agriculture & Allied (5.4 per cent) and Industry (7.3 per cent) Sectors. faster growth rate During the period of 9th and 10th Five-Year Plans (1997-98 to 2006-07), the Services Sector grew at the average annual growth rate of 11 per cent. This growth rate of Service Sector was significantly faster than the average annual growth recorded for combined Agriculture and Industry Sectors during the same period. The growth of Service Sector GDP has been continuously above the overall GDP growth during this period. It has also been more stable than the growth of the other two sectors. The above trend of faster and comparatively stable growth of Service Sector as compared to other two sectors remained on the same path throughout the period of 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12). During first four years i.e. 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 of the 11th Five-Year Plan, the Services Sector recorded excellent growth of 13.6, 11.6, 17 and 10.8 per cent as compared to the low and fluctuating growth of -0.1, 7.2, -1.4 and 5.4 per cent achieved in Agriculture and Allied Sector and fluctuating growth of 6.6, 3.5, 11.4 and 7.3 per cent, in Industry Sector, respectively. The Department of Economic & Statistical Analysis, Haryana prepares the estimates of Gross Domestic Product of Services Sector annually at factor cost both at current and constant (2004-05) prices. Accord- The Services Sector with the robust growth rate of 13.6 and 11.6 per cent recorded during 2007-08 and 2008-09, respectively, acted as the main catalyst for sustaining the economic growth of the state above 8 per cent ing to the Quick Estimates of 2011-12, the State GDP from Services Sector at current prices has been estimated as Rs 1,55,661.07 crore in 2011-12. The real GDP from this sector has been recorded as Rs 97,765.58 crore in 2011-12, registering a growth of 9.7 per cent during the year. The good growth of 9.7 per cent during 2011-12 is attributed to the higher growth achieved in trade (9 per cent), banking & insurance (28.5 per cent) and other services (8.7 per cent) sectors during the year. The growth of this sector (9.7 per cent) during 2011-12 remained significantly higher than the growth of 8.3 and 4.4 per cent recorded in Agriculture & Allied and Industry Sectors, respectively. The annual growth rates of Service Sector GDP of the State were significantly higher than the growth rates at all India level of 10.3, 10, 10.5, 9.8 and 8.2 per cent during the first four years of 11th Five-Year Plan. Thus, the Service Sector of the state performed better than that of All India throughout the period of 11th Five-Year Plan. Among the four categories of Services Sector, Trade, Hotels & Restaurants is the largest group having the highest contribution to the state GDP. Finance, Insurance & Real Estate is the second largest group followed by Transport, Storage & Communication and Community, Social & Personal Services. The share of Trade, Hotels & Restaurants in the State GDP at constant (2004-05) prices increased from 18.4 per cent in 2007-08 to 22.1 per cent in 2011-12. The share of Finance, Insurance & Real Estate increased from 13.8 per cent in 2007-08 to 15.4 per cent in 2011-12. The contribution of Community & Personal Services also increased from 7.4 per cent in 2007-08 to 8.4 per cent in 2011-12. growing sub-sectors The Transport, Storage & Communication Sub-sector has recorded the fluctuating growth rates of 13.9, 5.4, 9.9 and 6.8 per cent during 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11, respectively. The GDP from Transport, Storage & Communication Sub-sector at constant (2004-05) has been recorded as Rs 15,682.85 crore, registering the growth of 8.8 per cent during the year 2011-12 according to the Quick Estimates. The Finance and Real Estate sub-sector has recorded fluctuating growth rates during the first four years (2007-08 to 2010-11) of 11th Five-Year Plan. The real GDP from Finance and Real Estate Services has been worked out as Rs 27,543.16 crore with the growth of 12.7 per cent in 2011-12 according to the Quick Estimates. The Community, Social & Personal Services Sub-sector has recorded the growth rates of 7.7, 20.9, 21.1 and 2.3 per cent during 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11, respectively. The real GDP from Community, Social & Personal Services Sector has been worked out as Rs 15,027.79 crore, recording the growth of 7.3 per cent in 2011-12 according to the Quick Estimates. g 24 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 An ideal state in the making The Governor, Mr Jagannath Pahadia, addressing the members of the State Assembly on the opening day of the Budget session COVER STORY 25 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 With people-friendly policies and efficient work culture in place, Haryana is destined to realise its vision of becoming an ideal state Haryana Review Bureau H aryana is scaling new heights in all the spheres of development. With the people-friendly policies and efficient work culture in place, Haryana is destined to realise its vision of an ideal state sooner than later. This was stated by the Haryana Governor, Mr Jagannath Pahadia, in the Budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. “The state’s growth story has generated an all round interest. The credit indeed goes to the peace loving and hard working people of the state,” he added. The advance estimate of GDP for 2012-13 at constant prices is Rs 1,91,820.76 crore as against the quick estimate of Rs 1,79,097 crore in 2011-12, recording a growth of 7.1 per cent in 2012-13. The per capita income of the state at current prices has been estimated as Rs 1,23,554 in 2012-13, recording a growth of 13.3 per cent. The Governor highlighted the achievements of the state government on various fronts. He, however, expressed concern over the scarcity of water in Haryana, and said that the state was water stressed having only 14 MAF of water as compared to its requirement of 36 MAF. “The problem is further aggravated by the fact that the state has been deprived of its legitimate share from the Ravi-Beas Rivers,” he added. He said that the government was firm in its resolve to get Haryana’s legitimate share of water as also for the expeditious construction of Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal. Members of the technical appraisal committee of the Union Ministry of Water Resources have already given clearance for Lakhwar Vyasi Dam and the work will start shortly. Environmental clearance for Renuka Dam is also at an advanced stage. The state government is also pursuing the matter regarding Kishau Dam project and it is hoped that the governments of Uttrakhand and Him- achal Pradesh will reach an agreement in this regard at the earliest. Construction of a dam on Kaushalya River has already been completed. The NCR Water Supply Channel is complete and is already supplying water for Gurgaon town. Water conservation and its efficient management being a priority of the state government, steps are being taken to reduce the conveyance losses in the canal network by rehabilitating old minors and canals. About 150 channels have been rehabilitated during the current financial year. The major work of rehabilitation of Barwala Branch costing Rs 26.9 crore is also near completion. More than 7,500 watercourses have also been identified for rehabilitation and 2,530 watercourses have already been rehabilitated. During the current financial year, Rs 118 crore has been spent on completion of 73 new and 59 ongoing flood control and drainage schemes across the state. “The Samman Pension of freedom fighters, their widows, unmarried unemployed daughters and disabled unmarried unemployed sons has been increased to Rs 20,000 with effect from August 15, 2012,” he said. PROVIDING QUALITY Power While referring to the issue of power, Mr Pahadia said that his government was committed to providing quality power supply to all the consumers by increasing the power generation, and strengthening the transmission and distribution system. To achieve this, concrete steps have been taken to add generation capacity in public and private sector and to make commensurate investments in transmission and distribution network. On an average, 1,068 lakh units are being supplied everyday in the current financial year as against 578 lakh units in 2004-05. In the last eight years, 340 new substations have been constructed, capacity of 574 existing substations augmented and 4,994 kms Highlights Haryana has outperformed all the states in the country in mobilising financial resources during the 11th Five Year Plan. n As against the national average mobilisation of 92.5 per cent of the projections of the 11th Five Year Plan by the states, Haryana was able to mop up resources to the extent of 192 per cent of the projected mobilisation, records the Working Group on State Financial Resources for the 11th Plan set up by the Planning Commission. n The advance estimate of GDP for 2012-13 at constant prices is Rs 1,91,820.76 crore as against the quick estimate of Rs 1,79,097crore in 2011-12, recording a growth of 7.1 per cent in 2012-13. n The per capita income of the state at current prices has been estimated as Rs 1,23,554 in 201213, recording a growth of 13.3 per cent. n The state has again been awarded the “Krishi Karman Award” on January 15, 2013 for the highest productivity of wheat in the country for 2011-12. n More than 60 per cent of the country’s export of basmati rice is from Haryana. n Farmers are getting a remunerative price for their produce. In Rabi 2012, the state procured 87.16 lakh MT of wheat, which is an all time record, registering an increase of 17.88 lakh MT (25.81 per cent) over the last year. n In Kharif 2012, the state procured 38.46 lakh MT of paddy, which is also an all time record, registering an increase of 8.8 lakh MT (29.67 per cent) over the last year. The government is providing subsidy on certified seeds to motivate farmers to increase both productivity and production. n 26 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Panipat Thermal Power Plant of new transmission lines laid. Renewable energy The state government has created an enabling environment for investment in renewable energy sources. Six biomass power projects of 63 MW capacity are being set up by the Independent Power Producer (IPP). Of these, two projects of about 20 MW are in a final stage of completion. For generation of power from industrial waste, 11 projects of 24.95 MW capacity through cogeneration route have been set up in the industries and four projects of 12.6 MW capacity are under installation. Haryana has been awarded the best state nodal agency in the country for installation of solar water heating systems for 2011-12. Three Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations have been set up by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board at Gurgaon, Panchkula and Rohtak and they have started generating ambient air quality data. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board has started the online processing of consent to establish and consent to operate applications since January, 2013. Land records The Governor said that an ambitious project of modernisation of land records was being implemented under the National Land Records Modernisation Programme. This will help make a qualitative change in the land records management. The state received the CSI-Nihilent e-Governance Award 2011-12 under the project category-G2G, for its land records project-Dynamic Integration of Property Registration, Land Records and Cadastral Maps. Investment Notwithstanding the market uncertainties and volatility at international and national levels, an investment of Rs 61,000 crore has been catalysed since 2005. Besides, an investment of about Rs 97,000 crore is also in the pipeline. The total exports from the state have increased from Rs 48,530 crore during 2010-11 to Rs 54,991 crore during 2011-12, registering an increase of more than 13 per cent. Land Acquisition & R&R Policy The government has further improved its Land Acquisition and R&R Policy, which has already become a model throughout the country. ‘Land Pooling Scheme’ has been incorporated in the Land Acquisition and R&R Policy since August, 2012. The landowning farmers can now opt to become partners in the development process. Agriculture Haryana has again been awarded “Krishi Karman Award” by the President of India on January 15, 2013 for the highest productivity of wheat in the country for 2011-12 i.e. 5,182 kg per hectare. Food grains production has reached a record level of 183.42 lakh tonnes during 2011-12. The production of wheat and rice has reached an all time high of 130.69 lakh tonnes and 37.59 lakh tonnes, respectively. The government is providing subsidy on certified seeds to motivate farmers to increase both productivity and production. Mr Pahadia said that more than 15.61 lakh soil health cards had been COVER STORY 27 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 distributed to the farmers to promote a balanced use of fertilisers. Gypsum is being provided to farmers on subsidised rates for reclamation of degraded alkali soil. Green manuring is being promoted in a big way to improve organic contents of soil. The government has done away with the stamp duty chargeable under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, in respect of instruments executed by the agriculturists in favour of commercial banks for securing loans for agricultural purposes. Co-operatives More than 35,000 co-operative societies with their membership exceeding 57 lakh are functioning in Haryana. The co-operative banks have disbursed loans amounting to Rs 6,833.67 crore during the current year. The co-operative banks are in the process of implementing Core Banking Solutions (CBS) under the guidance of NABARD for swift transfer of funds and for making transactions from anywhere across the country. Mr Pahadia said that it was a matter of pride for the state that the Shahabad Co-operative Sugar Mills had received the first prize at the national level for technical efficiency in other recovery area for the crushing season 2011-12. The Primary Agriculture Co-operative Society (PACS), Silani, in district Jhajjar, has received President’s Award for outstanding performance. “The government proposes to establish a State Livestock Mission to meet the challenge of doubling milk production by 2020 and requirement of growth in other livestock products,” he said. The state has made significant improvement in milk production. To further realise the potential by accelerated genetic improvement of livestock, the government has planned to increase the coverage of artificial insemination from 63 per cent to 90 per cent in the next five years. Education Haryana is the first state in the country to implement the Centrally-sponsored pilot National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF) project in schools which aims at enhancing the employability of youth through competency-based modular vocational courses. The Governor said that the Haryana School Teacher Selection Board had started the process of recruiting 9,870 primary school teachers and nearly 14,000 post graduate teachers. Now schooling facilities are available within a radius of one km and three km at primary and middle schools, respectively. A household survey of children has been carried out to identify drop-out and out-of-school children for ensuring 100 per cent enrollment as per RTE Act requirements. He said that the Haryana Government was implementing two flagship national programmes, namely, the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) with a view to providing various inputs for ensuring education of reasonable quality, universalizing elementary education, providing easy access to secondary education, providing adequate infrastructure etc. A separate cadre of teachers for Mewat district has been created as a long term solution to the chronic problem of vacancies in the district. A state level school for teachers’ education of international standard is also coming up at Silani Kesho, Jhajjar. Human resource development, upgradation of laboratories, compulsory computer education, organisation of science exhibitions and educational tours, and setting up of smart class rooms and language labs are a few innovative steps taken towards achieving quality improvement in college education. The government has also decided to establish the Haryana Institute of Education, Training and Research at Jind and National Law University at Sonipat. The Haryana Private Technical Educational Institution (Regulation of Admission and Fee) Act, 2012 has been enacted to regulate admissions and fees of technical courses run by private technical educational institutions in the state. Extension campus of IIT Delhi in the Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Highlights The exports from the state have increased from Rs 48,530 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 54,991 crore in 2011-12, registering an increase of more than 13 per cent. n More than 15.61 lakh soil health cards have been distributed to the farmers to promote a balanced use of fertilisers. n The State Advised Price of early, mid and late maturing varieties of sugarcane has been fixed at Rs 276, Rs 271 and Rs 266 per quintal, respectively during the current crushing season. n Under the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme, 6.3 lakh farmers have already been covered so far. n The government has done away with the stamp duty chargeable under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, in respect of instruments executed by the agriculturists in favour of commercial banks for securing loans for agricultural purposes. n The government is also establishing a Horticulture Bio-Technology Centre at Shamgarh, Karnal, for production of potato micro tubers through tissue culture technologies. n A new scheme on pesticide residue is being implemented to mitigate the effects of pesticides on fruits and vegetables. n Under the National Horticulture Mission, three new projects have been approved for 2012-13. These are, the Centre for Subtropical Fruits (CSTF) at Ladwa, Kurukshetra; Integrated Bee Development Centre (IBDC) at Murthal, Sonipat; and Flower Project at CCS HAU, Hisar. n An International Horticulture Market is being set up at Ganaur in Sonipat. The market is being positioned as a potential hub for fruits, flowers and vegetables from all over the country. n 28 COVER STORY Kundli, National Institute of Design (NID) in Kurukshetra, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Pinjore, Government Engineering Colleges in Jhajjar and Rewari districts are being set up for enhancing skill development capacity. The Indian Institute of Management is being established over 200 acres in Rohtak. The Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET) will soon move to its new premises on the campus of the Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science & Technology, Murthal. Sports Mr Pahadia said that the Sports Policy of the government has yielded outstanding results. Out of the six medals won by India in the London Olympics, four were bagged by sportspersons of Haryana. The government has now decided to give cash awards to Paralympic sportspersons also at par with other sportspersons. Sports and Physical Aptitude Test (SPAT) has been very successful in attracting children towards sports. With a view to strengthening the sports infrastructure in the state, the government is constructing 227 Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Khel Parisars, out of which, 158 Parisars have already been completed. Panchayati Raj Institutions A number of initiatives have been taken for the empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions, creation of social and economic infrastructure in the villages and uplift of the rural poor. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is being converged with schemes of other line departments to ensure creation of durable assets in the villages. During the current financial year (up to December, 2012), Rs 20,243 crore has been spent under MGNREGS. Health It is for the first time that Infant Mortality Rate in Haryana has decreased by four points within one year according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2011. This has been possible due to certain strategic inter- HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 ventions like opening of 13 Sick New Born Care Units (SNCUs), strengthening of immunisation programme and introduction of new born care facilities at delivery points and home-based post natal care. The Governor said that Haryana was the third state in the country to start the Pentavalent Vaccine. A special initiative has been launched for anaemia prevention and control by testing 11.7 lakh school children and 34,792 college girls. In order to strengthen the entire range of health services in urban areas, particularly urban slums, the government is planning to launch the State Urban Health Mission. The government has imposed a ban on gutkah and panmasala containing tobacco and nicotine as ingredients. Food and Safety Act has been made operational and registration and licensing has commenced for all food business operators. Four medical colleges are being set up in different parts of the state. The Outdoor Patient Department (OPD) at AIIMS-II in Jhajjar has become functional since November 24, 2012. The National Cancer Institute is also being set up in AIIMS-II. Infrastructure The extension of Delhi metro from Mundka to Bahadurgarh has been taken up for execution at a project cost of Rs 1,991 crore. A Metro Link having 5.1 km length at a project cost of Rs 1,088 crore is being implemented through M/s Rapid Metro Gurgaon Ltd. which will provide connectivity from Sikanderpur Station in Gurgaon to National Highway No. 8 (NH-8). Development of Metro Link from Sikanderpur Station to Sector-56, Gurgaon is likely to be commissioned by September, 2015. Special Economic Zones Four Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have become functional in the IT/ ITES sector in Haryana and licenses have been granted for establishment of 35 IT/Cyber Parks. Also, two Regional Rapid Transit Systems (RRTS) Corridors, namely, Delhi-Gurgaon-Rewari-Alwar (158 kms) and Delhi-Sonipat-Panipat (111 kms) Haryana accounts for 37 per cent of production of two-wheelers in the country are to be developed on priority basis. Industries The state government has declared 2013 as the Year of ‘Industrial Development and Employment’. It has adopted the strategy for establishment of Common Facility Centres (CFCs) in public-private-partnership mode under the cluster development scheme in order to support the micro, small and medium enterprises. A number of infrastructure development initiatives have also been planned under the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor project. The government has comprehensively revised and notified the “Haryana Minor Mineral Concession, Stocking and Transportation of Minerals and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2012”. The Governor said that the Haryana Government had taken several steps to ensure industrial safety and health of workers at their workplace and provide social security to the organised as well as unorganised workers. COVER STORY 29 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Highlights A National Horticulture Pavilion is also being planned on this campus to foster robust forward and backward linkages. n Four Special Economic Zones have already become functional in the IT/ITES sector in Haryana and licenses have been granted for establishment of 35 IT/Cyber Parks. n Two Regional Rapid Transit Systems Corridors, namely, Delhi-Gurgaon-Rewari-Alwar (158 kms) and Delhi-Sonipat-Panipat (111 kms) are to be developed on priority basis. n ‘Major Accident Hazard Control Units’ at Panipat and Gurgaon, and two ‘Hygiene Laboratories’ are being set up. n It is for the first time that Infant Mortality Rate in Haryana has decreased by four points within one year according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2011. n A special initiative has been launched for anaemia prevention and control by testing 11.7 lakh schoolchildren and 34,792 college girls. n During the tenure of the present government, 3,712.80 MW generation capacity has already been added in the state. n The government is supplying 1,068 lakh units on an average daily basis to the consumers in the current year as against 578 lakh units in 2004-05. n In the last eight years, 340 new substations have been constructed, capacity of 574 existing substations has been augmented and 4,994 km of new transmission lines have been laid. n During the current financial year, Rs 118 crore have been spent on completion of 73 new and 59 ongoing flood control and drainage schemes across the state. n Public health Reiterating the commitment of the state government to provide adequate piped drinking water in all the villages and towns with special focus on desert and drought-prone districts and Mewat, the Governor said that the Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Augmentation Project for Mewat had been implemented. Central assistance and loans from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) have been arranged for augmentation of water supply and improvement of distribution system in critical areas of Rewari and Mahendragarh districts. The drinking water supply and sewerage facilities are being improved in 17 towns in NCR. Besides, a project of storm-water drainage for Sonipat has been approved by the (NCRPB). Under the National River Conservation Programme, two projects for improvement of sewerage facilities and construction of sewage treatment plants in Sonipat and Panipat have also been approved. A drinking water project costing Rs 95 crore for Sonipat town based on Ranney well scheme is under implementation. Detailed Project Reports for augmentation of water supply and sewerage facilities in Ambala and Bhiwani (Phase-II) have been approved. Under the 13th Finance Commission grant, 11 projects for augmentation of water supply in Shivalik area and southern Haryana have been approved. Law and order Mr Pahadia said that the law and order situation in the state was peaceful. The government is paying focused attention to modernisation of police force to enhance its operational effectiveness and improve the safety and security of the people. The Governor concluded his address by reiterating the resolve of his government to continue to work for an inclusive and sustainable development of the state. g 30 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Haryana Review Bureau D etermined to achieve a balanced growth in the state so that all regions prosper, the Haryana Government is undertaking projects for the all-round development of the state. Refuting the allegation of regional bias leveled by the opposition, the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, detailed out the facts to prove his point during the Budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. The Chief Minister said that a number of projects had been initiated in various districts of the state. For example, the National Institute of Fashion Design is coming up in Panchkula; National Institute of Design in district Kurukshetra; Kalpana Chawla Medical College, involving an investment of crores of rupees, is being set up in Karnal. women's medical college A women medical college has been set up at the Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya and this is the first women medical college in public sector after independence of the country. Similarly, ESI Medical College, involving an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, has been set up at Faridabad, whereas the YMCA institute has been upgraded to a university. Moving on to Mewat, Mr Hooda said that a medical college named after Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewat, a martyr of 1857, was being set up at a cost of Rs 700 crore. Also, Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Ranney Well Water Scheme has been implemented. A Defence University would come up in district Gurgaon. A Sainik School has already been set up in Rewari, where the regional centre of the MDU has also been started. He said that it was at Bawal in district Rewari that an agricultural college was closed by the previous government, which would now become functional. Also, a Central University has been set up in district Mahendragarh. He said that a University of Animal Sciences named after Lala Lajpat Rai had been opened in Hisar and it was the third university in the district. In district Rohtak, the Pt B D Sharma PGIMS has been upgrad- Balanced growth sans bias The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has taken strong exception to the opposition allegation of regional bias in development of the state ed to University of Health Sciences, and soon an IIM would also come up. Similarly, AIIMS-II is being set up in district Jhajjar. In Sirsa, while the previous government had constructed a couple of rooms in the name of Chaudhary Devi Lal University, his government spent crores of rupees to develop it, Mr. Hooda added. The state government has implemented many progressive policies. With a view to grooming budding sports talent in rural areas, 227 Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadia are to be developed and out of these, 158 have already been constructed. Also, 780 coaches would be appointed to groom the players. The government has also implemented the policy of ‘Padak Lao-Pad Pao’. Outstanding sportspersons have been given jobs as Deputy Superintendents of Police. As many as 20 lakh children participated in the Sports and Physical COVER STORY 31 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 nounced during the last year of their tenure. Contrary to it, the present government has increased the rate of sugarcane by a total of Rs 159 per quintal so far during its tenure. Similarly, in case of wheat, the previous government increased its MSP by Rs 80 per quintal, whereas the present government has made a total increase of Rs 720 per quintal. The rate of cotton is Rs 3,900 under his government, whereas it was Rs 1,960 during the previous government. Law-and-order situation The Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, replying to discussion of Governor's address in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha Aptitude Test (SPAT) during this year. Under this ambitious programme, scholarships of Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 are being given to the children between the age groups of 8-14 years and 14-19 years, respectively. A sum of Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for the purpose. Mr Hooda said that the Central Government was also considering implementing this scheme. While adding that the state government was implementing various programmes for all sections of the society, he said that commissions for Scheduled Castes, human rights, women, and children have been set up and Lokayukta has been appointed. He said that 20.63 lakh persons were being benefited under various social security pensions. Dropout rate falls While referring to the issue of literacy raised by the Opposition, Mr Hooda said that as a result of various incentive-based schemes, the dropout rate had fallen in the state. In primary classes, the rate was 12.66 per cent when the present government assumed office in 2005, but now it was only 1 per cent. Similarly, in upper primary classes, it has reduced from 24.51 per cent to merely 2 per cent. As many as 19.70 lakh children belonging to Scheduled Caste, Backward Classes-A and BPL families are getting scholarships ranging from Rs 75 to Rs 400 from Classes I to XII. Referring to Human Development Index, Mr Hooda said that Haryana fell in medium category; whereas the national average was 0.467, Haryana was at 0.552 as against 0.527 of Gujarat, 0.380 of Uttar Pradesh, 0.376 of Jharkhand, 0.375 of Madhya Pradesh, 0.367 of Bihar and 0.359 of Chhattisgarh. RESOLVING WATER DISPUTE Mr Hooda also offered to settle inter-state water dispute with Punjab by sitting across the table, provided they gave Haryana its due share of water. He also reiterated his commitment to ensure that due share of state’s water reached Southern Haryana and added that the BML Hansi Butana Link Canal had already been constructed. Referring to the issue of Sutlej Yamuna link (SYL) Canal he said that it was the priority of his government and he would try to get it resolved out of the court. While referring to the issue of giving remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce, Mr Hooda said that the government had paid even the arrears of sugarcane left by the previous government. The rate of sugarcane was not increased by the then government from 1999 to 2004 and a hike of merely Rs 7 was an- While referring to the issue of law and order, Mr Hooda said that immediately after assuming office in 2005, he had directed the police to ensure registration of FIRs for each case whereas these were not registered during the tenure of the previous government. He said that it was the result of improved law and order situation that investment in the state had increased considerably. Before the year 2005, there was an investment of Rs 41,000 crore. During the tenure of the present government, an investment of Rs 61,000 crore has been received and that of about Rs 1 lakh is in the pipeline. He said that when he assumed office of Chief Minister in 2005, the economic, social, political and intellectual structure of the state was shattered. He regretted that the opposition in the state did not cooperate in the process of development which had been ushered in by the present government to transform its economy. He said that in every session, the opposition had been behaving in a similar manner and added that a mindless opposition is a hindrance in progress. He also criticised the opposition saying, “They are the dark past; we are the bright future of Haryana.” The Chief Minister concluded his reply by reciting a couplet, “Woh Jinko Gaon Ka Rehbar Mana Tha Kabhi, Unka Kirdar Toh Rahjano Se Bhi Bura Nikla. Hum Yeh Nahi Kehte Ki Is Zameen Ko Jannat Bana Diya Hamne, Magar Kuchh Khar Zaroor Kam Huye Hain, Guzre Jahan Se Hum.” g 32 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 to register cases within 24 hours against the culprits involved in rape and molestation cases, he added. The Chief Minister said that his government was fully committed to ensuring complete safety and protection of women in the state. In reply to four calling attention notices which had been clubbed into one, relating to issues pertaining to crime against women - particularly rape, molestation, eve-teasing and also chain snatching, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, said that a four-digit women helpline number '1091' had been activated to provide instant help to women in distress. Police Control Room vans, exclusively staffed by woman police officials, had been introduced, Surjewala added. Nutritional status improves Fast-track courts for women Swati Sethi D etermined to curb cases of violence against women, the Haryana Government has taken a series of steps, including appointment of a lady officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police, to assist the ADGP, Crime, in tackling cases of crime against women. Besides, 21 Fast-Track Courts (FTCs) have been set up for speedy trial in cases of heinous crimes against women, the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said while replying to a question in the Budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. Directions have been issued While replying to a calling attention notice, the Women and Child Development Minister, Mrs Geeta Bhukkal told the Assembly that the holistic strategies adopted by the government had resulted in substantial improvement in nutritional status of children. The Grade-I children, suffering from mild malnutrition, was 32.90 per cent, which was very close to normal grade, the Minister said. Therefore, a total of 89.64 per cent children are in normal or very close to normal grade, whereas in 1991-92, 77.86 per cent children were in this category. 10 elephant sheds set up “The state government has set up 10 sheds for elephants at Elephant Rehabilitation Centre, Yamunanagar,” the Environment Minister, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, told Haryana Assembly. He said 20 elephants could be accommodated in these sheds. Two deep tubewells have been installed for providing water for drinking and bathing of elephants. In reply to another question, he said that Rs 1.1 crore had been spent for the upkeep of Sultanpur National Park, Gurgaon; Kalesar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Yamunanagar; Bir Shikargarh Wildlife Sanctuary, COVER STORY 33 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Randeep Singh Surjewala Geeta Bhukkal Panchkula; Khol-hi-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary, Panchkula; Chhilchhila Wildlife Sanctuary, Kurukshetra; Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rewari; Abubshehar Wildlife Sanctuary, Sirsa; Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhajjar; Khaparwas Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhajjar; Sarswati Conservation Reserve, Kaithal; and Bir-Baraban Conservation Reserve, Jind. With a view to meeting the shortage of staff in veterinary hospitals, the government would soon recruit 88 veterinary surgeons and 1,034 animal attendants, said the Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister, Mr Paramvir Singh, while replying to a question. He said that the process for filling up 1,650 posts of sweeper-cum-chowkidar would be taken up in 2013-14. 13,969, out of which 1,965 buildings had been regularised which were in existence immediately before the commencement of the Punjab Scheduled Roads and Controlled Areas Restriction of Unregulated Development (Haryana Amendment) Act, 2009. He said that regularisation charges of Rs 11,23,75,645 had been recovered from regularisation of 1,965 such buildings. Rs 9,628.5 cr FDI received Haryana had received Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of Rs 9,628.5 crore from April 1, 2005 till date, Mr Hooda said. He said that the state had benefited in terms of generation of direct and indirect employment, opportunities for setting up support and ancillary units, technological upgradation and several other spillover effects. This had also contributed to increase in revenue of state exchequer and overall development of the state, he added. While replying to another question, Mr Hooda said that the number of buildings existing in the limit of local authorities along scheduled roads as on February 15, 2013 was Measures to control pollution The state government is taking all possible measures for controlling pollution in rivers Markanda and Ghaggar. The government was conscious of its duties, said Capt Ajay Singh Yadav. He said that it was a fact that untreated and partially treated effluent from industrial units located at Kala Amb in Himachal Pradesh was being discharged into Markanda River, a tributary of River Ghaggar, which was causing pollution in Ghaggar. "The Bio Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) value of Jattanwala Nallah falling in Markanda river ranges from 420-520 mg per litre and the BOD value in the water of Markanda river ranges from 106-385 mg per litre as against the permissible limit of three mg per litre," said Mr Yadav. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board has taken up the matter with the Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, from time to time requesting him to issue Capt. Ajay Singh Yadav necessary directions to the state of Himachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh Pollution Control Board to control pollution in river Ghaggar. Deadline for CETPs The Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) has given deadline up to June 30, 2017 for the construction of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in their industrial areas and Industrial Model Townships depending upon the development of industries and generation of industrial effluent. This information was given by the Environment Minister, Capt Ajay Singh Yadav, in the Haryana Assembly during question hour. He said that for the completion of second CETP in Sector 29, Part-II, Panipat, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has given deadline up to December, 2015. Old age pension up The Women and Child Development Minister, Mrs Geeta Bhukkal, told the Assembly that old age allowance in Haryana had been raised to Rs 600 per month from existing Rs 550 per month, thus benefiting over 9.83 lakh beneficiaries. She said that this enhanced pension would be admissible from April 1, 2013. At present, more than 12.87 lakh beneficiaries are getting old age allowance and out of them, more than 2.92 lakh are getting it at the rate of Rs 700 per month. g 34 COVER STORY HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Haryana to set up infra board Swati Sethi The Budget session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha passed 10 bills, including the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas (Amendment) Bill for setting up the Haryana Infrastructure Development Board. The bill aims at evolving a multi-disciplinary techno-legal financial institution for promotion of infrastructure development with professionals from administration, engineering, town planning, legal and finance cadres. The government decided to set up the board as a dedicated agency to encourage private sector investment in infrastructure projects through innovative development and financial structuring of infrastructure projects for implementation in public-private partnership mode. Section 3AA is proposed to be introduced for the constitution of the Board, while sub-section 7 of section 3A is proposed for amendment to enable transfer of amount collected under the fund vested with the director of the Board. Private varsities bill passed The Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill has been passed to convert an ordinance which was promulgated to incorporate the name of the Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University in district Gurgaon. Five proposals were received under the Haryana Private Universities Act for establishment of Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University in district Gurgaon, Jagan Nath University at Bahadurgarh, G D Goenka University, Sohna Road, Gurgaon, K.R. Mangalam University, Sohna Road, Gurgaon and SRM University, Sonipat to impart instructions and provide higher education in various streams. Appropriation bill voted The Haryana Appropriation Bill, for Rs 75,093 crore for 2013-14 has been passed to provide the appropriation out of the consolidated fund of Haryana of all moneys required to meet the grants made by the Legislative Assembly and expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of the state but not exceeding, in any case, the amount shown in the statement previously laid before the House. No to plastic carry bags The Haryana Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Amendment Bill has been passed to provide for challaning and compounding in view of usage of plastic carry bags. The issues and challenges of maintaining clean civic conditions are being addressed by necessary legislations as well as by creating awareness among residents. The wide usage of plastic carry bags made of non-biodegradable material is one of the major causes of civic pollution, particularly in urban areas. Recruitment board soon The Haryana Police (Amendment) Bill has been passed to constitute state level Police Recruitment Board and deals with matters concerning tenure, appointments, terms and conditions related to the Board. The amendment would further enable the prescription and notification of rules or regulations which would govern the overall functioning of the state level Police Recruitment Board/District Level Police Recruitment Board/Committee. The constitution of the Board was necessitated to conduct recruitment through a transparent process as stated in the Haryana Police Act, 2007. Bill to strengthen co-ops The Haryana Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2013 is considered to be a major initiative to strengthen and reinvigorate the cooperative sector in the state. The amendment in the Act aims at bringing it in consonance with the Constitution (97th Amendment) Act, 2011.The bill has been passed to amend the provisions of the Haryana Cooperative Societies Act, 1984, for incorporation and regulation of cooperative societies based on the principles of democratic member control, members’ economic participation and autonomous functioning. Relief to veggie growers The Haryana Rural Development (Amendment) Bill has been passed to give relief to the growers of vegetables and fruits and the public by reducing rural development fee on all vegetables and fruits from two per cent to one per cent with effect from September 1, 2012. Labour welfare bill approved The Punjab Labour Welfare Fund (Haryana Amendment) Bill has been passed for making a provision for the post of vice chairperson in the Punjab Labour Welfare Fund Act for effective and smooth functioning of the Haryana Labour Welfare Board and also to assist the Chairperson, and in his absence, to preside over a meeting of the Board. g COVER STORY 35 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Rail Budget rains gains for Haryana Besides three new railway lines out of the 22 announced in the Railway Budget, Haryana has got a railway coach manufacturing factory, a welding plant, rail link to Mewat and some new trains Haryana Review Bureau H aryana stands to gain a lot from the Railway Budget for 2013-14 presented by the Railway Minister, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal. Besides three new railway lines out of the 22 announced in the budget, Haryana has got a railway coach manufacturing factory to be set up in Sonipat, a welding plant for Sampla in Rohtak, and rail link to Mewat. While Mewat will be rail-linked for the first time with Delhi-Alwar rail line, the Hisar-Sirsa line will connect Sirsa with Delhi via Hisar. The Union Railway Minister, Mr Pawan Bansal, and MP, Mr Deepender Hooda, in the Mainline Electric Multiple Unit Train after it was flagged off in Rohtak The Haryana Vidhan Sabha has unanimously passed a resolution thanking the UPA Chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the Union Railway Minister, Mr Pawan Bansal, for announcing a number of projects for the state. While moving the resolution, The Haryana Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, said the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, had met the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister and urged them to give Haryana a rail coach factory which would provide jobs to the youth. Mr Hooda said the state government would bear half the cost of the project. Hooda hails railway budget Mr Hooda hailed the Railway Budget and thanked Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh and Mr Pawan Bansal for giving Haryana a rail coach manufacturing and mainte- 36 COVER STORY nance unit at Sonipat, a flash butt welding plant at Sampla in Rohtak district, fulfilling the long standing demand of rail service to Mewat area, and some new lines. Mr Hooda said that one of the biggest rail coach manufacturing factories would come up over 400 acres in Sonipat district in collaboration with the state government. Besides, a skill development centre would be set up in Sirsa. It would contribute to the national skill development programme of the government. The Ministry of Railways plans to open 25 such centres all over the country to impart skills to the youth in railway-related trades. New lines and trains Mr Hooda said that Haryana has got in the Railway Budget three out of the 22 new lines in category II, one out of seven new lines in category-I as special project, one out of five MEMUs, two out of eight DEMUs, one out of 14 gauge conversion projects, two out of 36 new line projects to be completed in 2013-14, and two out of the five electrification projects. The state also got 11 express trains, one passenger train, three train extensions and increase in the frequency of four others. He thanked Mr Bansal for introducing three new railway lines of Delhi-Sohna-Nuh-Firozpur Jhirka-Alwar; Hisar-Sirsa via Agroha and Fatehabad; and Yamunanagar-Chandigarh via Sadhaura, Naraingarh. A new railway line as special project to be set up in Haryana is Rewari- Rohtak extension up to Makrauli — acting as a Railway bypass for Rohtak city as the Rohtak-Panipat line will be shifted out of the city. Rohtak will become one of the first towns to have such a decongestion line. survey for railway lines He also thanked him for the announcement of survey for railway lines of Hisar-Fatehabad; Dadri-Jharli via Jhajjar and Narwana-Uklana; and electrification of Delhi-Rewari-Jaipur and Jakhal-Hisar railway lines. Mr Hooda said the other projects HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Besides three new railway lines out of the 22 announced in the budget, Haryana has got a railway coach manufacturing factory to be set up in Sonipat, a welding plant for Sampla in Rohtak, and rail link to Mewat Haryana got included doubling of the Jakhal-Dhuri-Ludhiana railway line; MEMU (electric train); services of Delhi-Rohtak as replacement of conventional service by MEMU and DEMU services of Delhi-Kurukshetra via Kaithal; and Rohtak-Rewari. The gauge conversion project of Sikar-Loharu would be completed soon. The new line projects to be completed in 2013-14 include Jind-Bhambewa–Gohana and Gohana-Sonipat. Besides, many new trains have been introduced and extensions of existing trains have been approved, benefiting the people of the state. The express trains include Bandra Terminus-Hisar Express (weekly) via Ahmedabad; Palanpur-Marwar-Jodhpur-Degana-Delhi-Firozpur Intercity Express (daily) via Bathinda; Delhi-Sarai Rohila-Sikar Express (bi-weekly) after gauge conversion; Delhi-Hoshiarpur Express (Weekly); Hazrat Nizamuddin-Mumbai AC Express (weelky) via Bhopal; Khandwa-Bhusawal; Indore-Chandigarh Express (weekly) via Dewas; Ujjain-Guna-Gwalior-Hazrat Nizamuddin-Kalka-Sai Nagar Shirdi Express (bi-weekly) via Hazrat Nizamuddin; Bhopal-Itarsi-Katra-Kalka Express (bi-weekly) via Morinda; Kota-Jammu Tawi Express (Weekly) via Mathura, Palwal; New Delhi-Katra AC Express (six days a week); and Una/Nangaldam-Hazoor Saheb Nanded Express (Weekly) via Anandpur Saheb, Morinda, Chandigarh, Ambala. The passenger trains include Loharu-Sikar Passenger (Daily) after gauge conversion. The extension of trains include 12449/12450 Madgaon-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express to Chandigarh; 12629/12630 Yesvantpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Sampark Kranti Express 2 days to Chandigarh and 54632/54633 Dhuri-Hisar/Hisar-Ludhiana passenger to Sirsa. The trains whose frequency would be increased include 14037/14038 Delhi-Pathankot Express 3 to 6 days; 12217/12218 Kochuveli-Chandigarh Express 1 to 2 days; 12687/12688 Madurai–Dehradun/ Chandigarh Express 1 to 2 days and 12629/12630 Yesvantpur–Hazrat Nizamuddin Sampark Kranti Express 2 to 4 days. “Haryana has a robust economy and we would bear half of the expenditure on laying the new railway lines”, Mr Hooda said. The Chief Minister said that he had urged the Railways Minister to give Haryana a rail coach facility. It would not only provide more employment opportunities to the people, but would also facilitate setting up of many ancillary units boosting the economy of the area. With these proposals, the long standing demands of the people have been fulfilled, he said, adding that since the Railway Minister had fulfilled the aspirations of the people of state, the state government would also reciprocate the gesture by giving full cooperation. new initiatives Mr Hooda was all praise for the new initiatives taken by the Central Government in the Railway Budget. Steps like e-ticketing through mobile phones, efforts to bring about a paradigm change in e-ticketing system, introduction of disabled-friendly coaches, 67 new express trains, and 27 new passenger trains and trains like “Azadi Express” would bring about a qualitative change in the services rendered by the Railways. He also appreciated the decision to fill up 47,000 vacancies for the weaker sections and the physically challenged. The Railway Budget would not put any burden on the common man, and it is for the first time that the state has got so many railway projects. Mr Deepender Singh Hooda, Lok Sabha MP from Rohtak, has COVER STORY 37 thanked Mr Bansal for providing three new rail lines. He also thanked Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh, for meeting the long pending demands of Haryana. The three new rail lines in category II are (a) Delhi-SohnaNuh-Firozpur-Jhirka-Alwar (b) and Hisar-Sirsa via Agroha and Fatehabad and (c) Yamunanagar-Chandigarh via Sadhaura, Naraingarh. Mr Hooda said that one of the biggest rail coach factories will be set up over 400 acres in Sonipat district, in collaboration with the state government. Two small plants will also be set up – a modern signaling equipment facility at Chandigarh through PPP mode and a flash butt welding plant in Sampla. Union Budget 2013-14 It will propel growth: Hooda skill development of youth Besides, a skill development centre will be set up in Sirsa to impart skills to the youth in railway related trades. This will enhance the employability of the youth of the state. There is also a proposal under category I special projects, for Rewari- Rohtak new line extension up to Makrauli, which will serve as a rail by-pass for Rohtak. Mr Hooda also said that under the category of surveys of new lines, two surveys are proposed in Haryana- for Dadri-Jharli via Jhajjar and Narwana-Uklana. The electric train service between Delhi and Rohtak and two such services between Delhi and Kurkushetra via Kaithal; and Rohtak and Rewari are also proposed for Haryana. new rail projects The new rail line projects, which are expected to be completed during the next financial year are Jind-Bhambewa-Gohana and Gohana-Sonipat. There is also a proposal for electrification of the two rail lines Delhi-Rewari-Jaipur and Jakhal-Hisar. Sirsa Lok Sabha MP, Mr Ashok Tanwar, has also thanked Mr Bansal for taking care of the interests of Haryana. He expressed his gratitude to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh, Mr Rahul Gandhi, and the Chief Minister for protecting the interests of Haryana. g The Union Finance Minister, Mr P Chidambaram The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has hailed the Union Budget for 2013-14 as investment and growth-oriented, anti-inflationary, pro-poor and crafted with the intent of ensuring inclusive, equitable and sustainable development. Reacting to the Budgetary proposals, presented by the Finance Minister, Mr P Chidambaram, to the Lok Sabha, Mr Hooda lauded the proposal to allocate Rs 500 crore to start crop diversification programme which would promote technological innovation and encourage the farmers to choose crop alternatives. “It is very encouraging that this programme would be implemented in the original Green Revolution states which face the problems of stagnating yields and over-exploitation of water resources, an answer to which lies in crop diversification”, the Chief Minister said. Mr Hooda recalled that the Working Group on Agriculture Production, constituted by the Prime Minister and headed by him, had recommended such schemes in the larger interest of the farming community. Such initiatives reflect the pro-farmer policies of the UPA Government. He also welcomed the proposal to carve out PMGSY-II and allocate a portion of the funds to the new programme which will benefit Haryana immensely. Greater emphasis on farm research, higher allocation for agriculture, extension of the interest subvention scheme, and increased flow of credit to the farm sector bode well for the growth of farm economy of the country. “The farmers have responded well to the slew of welfare measures taken by the UPA Government by setting a new record in the production of food grains, and the steps outlined in the Budget today will further boost their confidence”, Mr Hooda added. socio-economic objectives Mr Chidambaram, working under the able guidance of the UPA Chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, had done well to create the economic space and find the resources to achieve the socio-economic objectives, Mr Hooda said. Clarity in tax laws, a stable tax regime and non-adversarial tax administration would surely attract warm response and willing compliance. The emphasis and higher allocation for the social sector will not only benefit women, children, backward classes and the minorities but would also play the great leveller by pulling down social inequities. Similarly, higher allocations for health and education underscore the commitment of the UPA Government and its concern for the wellbeing of the masses, added Mr Hooda. HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 38 Change the mindset about women: Sonia Swati Sethi T he UPA Chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi gave a clarion call to the people to eradicate the stigma of female foeticide and crime against women, like rape and molestation, from the society and added that there was a need to change the mindset of people regarding women. Mrs Sonia Gandhi was addressing the first convocation of Bhagat Phool Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Khanpur Kalan in Sonipat district, on the occasion of International Women’s Day. She also inaugurated India’s first post independence women’s medical college, Bhagat Phool Singh Government Women Medical College. The only government women medical college, the Lady Hardinge Medical College, was set up in 1914. people who graced the occasion The Haryana Governor, Mr Jagannath Pahadia, the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the AICC General Secretary, Mr BK Hariparsad, a number of ministers of the Haryana Government and many MPs were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Gandhi said, “Our heads hang in shame over incidents of rape and crime against women. It is our collective responsibility to wash off this stigma.” “The UPA Government has taken steps in this direction by making a provision for a special Nirbhaya Fund and an all-women bank in the Union Budget. An amount of Rs 1,000 crore each has been provided in the budget for this purpose. We have made laws against domestic violence and sexual harassment at workplaces and soon a new law for crime against women would also be enacted,” she added. She said the Haryana Government deserved all praise for providing opportunities to women to showcase REPORT 39 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 cumb to any hindrance because the nation needed them. They are lucky for having got the opportunity to get education in this university. While referring to Bhagat Phool Singh Women University, she said that this Gurukul was started in 1936 with merely three students but, in the last six years, it had emerged as a magnificent complex. Journeys of thousands of miles begin with small steps. Most of the university’s students hailed from rural areas and it would certainly set an example for social revolution and change, she added. steps to empower women UPA Chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, conferring degrees to the students. Governor Jagannath Pahadia, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Sharma are also seen in the picture their talents and hoped that the efforts made now would bear fruits in future. “I would like to congratulate the Haryana Government working under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, which has made special efforts for women empowerment in the fields of education, health and social justice, More and more women should take over important positions and education alone can prepare them to face the challenges of the future. The growing number of women in local bodies and panchayats has strengthened our democracy which has played an important role in highlighting the talents of Haryana women in the fields of education and sports,” said Mrs Gandhi. Education to prepare women Mrs Gandhi added that more and more women should take over important positions, and education alone could prepare them to face the challenges of the future. “The growing number of women in local bodies and panchayats has strengthened our democracy,” she added. She also expressed concern about the decline in population of girls and said that it was due to poor thinking that this problem was being felt in the entire country. She said that concerted efforts would have to be made to check this problem. Therefore, it is high time to raise voice against it. Mrs Gandhi said that the passage of education and success was never easy, but the students must not suc- The Haryana Governor, Mr Jagannath Pahadia, who is also chancellor of the university, praised the setting up of the Rs 1,000 crore Nirbhaya fund and an all-women bank by the Central Government. He also appreciated the steps taken by the state government to raise the status of women in Haryana. While referring to a number of initiatives taken by the state government for women empowerment, the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, said that these included schemes like Priyadarshini Awaas Yojna under which 3.5 lakh houses would be constructed in rural and urban areas for the poor people. The ownership would be of the woman in the family. Parents of only girl child or children are being given monthly pension from the age of 45 years. Financial assistance of Rs 31,000 and Rs 11,000 is also being given on the marriage of girls belonging to Scheduled Castes living below the poverty line and daughters of widows living below the poverty line. Mrs Gandhi presented gold medals to the outstanding students. As many as 2,436 students were awarded degrees in the convocation. Earlier, she went around the Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College and Hospital and also interacted with the patients to know their wellbeing. She was also shown a documentary on the progress and contribution of the medical college and hospital. She also appreciated the available medical facilities in the medical college and hospital. g 40 PHOTO FEATURE HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 The colours of Holi... A photo feature by Randeep Singh PHOTO FEATURE 41 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 42 A festival for young and old HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 43 Riding the mood Can't do without dhol beats 44 Splash in the pool of colours Women not lagging behind HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Age is no bar 45 46 Preparing colour that lasts HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Let's see who wins: Men and women trying to grab kolada HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 47 Hurrah! I got it 48 NEWS IN CAPSULE HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 THE MONTH THAT WAS Working for inclusive Haryana: Hooda Haryana has chosen the path of ‘Rapid Inclusive Economic Growth’ to build an inclusive Haryana-socially, culturally and economically, said the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, while interacting with industrialists and media persons at a conclave organised by a media group to showcase investment opportunities in New Delhi. He said, “Any vision for growth remains a mere dream unless it is supported by good governance and political will. We have an excellent track record on the law and order front. The work force in Haryana is diligent and hard working. The number of man days lost on the industrial front in Haryana is one of the lowest in the country. Haryana was one of the first states to come out with a comprehensive and progressive labour policy.” Haryana today has succeeded in harnessing the progressive thrust on industrialisation by dint of innovative systems and pragmatic strategies, thereby becoming a pioneering state in modern India. The state-of-the-art infrastructure, industry-friendly policies, responsive administration, peaceful law and order conditions and abundant skilled manpower make it a preferred destination for industrial investment, he added. Mr Hooda described Haryana as a unique success story of social engineering and good governance. He said that the achievement of Haryana is a step towards realising the dreams of our founding fathers and a tribute to the democratic system without any dilemma. He said that a strong economy is a prerequisite for inclusive growth. Today, the economy of our state is robust and on the uptick. Industry is booming. Growth is heading north. Exports are rising and marshalling of resources is excellent. This has won acclaim. Haryana has outperformed all states The Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, at a conclave in New Delhi in mobilizing financial resources during the 11th Five Year Plan. Rail coach factory to come up in Sonipat The upcoming rail coach factory would be set up along Jind-Sonipat rail line near Gohana in Sonipat district and a number of ancillary units would also be set up in the adjoining districts, said the Union Railways Minister, Mr Pawan Bansal, while addressing a function at Rohtak Railway Station, organised to flag off the Rohtak-Bahadurgarh-Delhi MEMU (electric) train from Rohtak Railway Station. Mr Bansal said that the Rail Coach Factory would accelerate the pace of development in the state and also provide direct and indirect employment to lakhs of people. He said that Rohtak-Delhi MEMU train would start daily at 7 am from Rohtak and reach Delhi Railway Station by 9.15 am On return, it will start at 3.50 pm from Delhi and reach Rohtak by 6.20 pm. MEMU train would provide economical and faster travelling option and have 7,500 passengers capacity on one round trip. From Rohtak to Delhi, MEMU train would have stoppages at stations of Delhi, Kishanganj, Vivekanand Puri, Daya Basti, Shakur Basti, Mangolpuri, Nangloi, Mundka, Ghevra, Bahadurgarh, Asaudah, Rohand Nagar, Sampla, Ismaila, HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Kharawar, Asthal Bohar and Rohtak. The minister said that the three new rail lines of Gurgaon-SohnaNuh- Firozpur Zhirka- Alwar, Hisar-Agroha-Fatehabad-Sirsa and Yamunanagar-Sadhaura-Naraingarh-Chandigarh rail lines would change the face of the state. The work of Meham-Hansi Rail line would start soon, he added. NEWS IN CAPSULE 49 Women take part in the function organised by the Haryana Forest Department at Pinjore Industrial training to 16.75 lakh youths Haryana Government has fixed a target to impart industrial training to 16.75 lakh youth under 12th five year plan in the state. The Industrial Training Minister, Mrs Geeta Bhukkal, said that about two lakh unskilled or unemployed youth would be trained through the short term or Modular Employable courses under Skill Development Initiative scheme based on Modular Employable Skills of Government of India during the 12th Five Year Plan through a network of Government and Private institutes registered as Vocational Training Providers. She said that department intends to increase the present training capacity significantly by increasing the number of Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) as well as private ITIs and also by increasing the intake capacity of the existing institutes. She said that government had earmarked a sum of Rs 200 crore for skill development in the budget allocation for year 2013-14. Haryana players bring laurels Players of Haryana have again brought laurels to the state by overall winning the Gramin Khel Pratiyogita 2012-13 organised by Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs under Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA). The Director General, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Mr Sudhir Rajpal, said that Haryana had bagged 90 gold, 58 silver and 46 bronze medals in this competition. Six groups of girls and boys below 16 years of age participated in this competition. He said that last year too, the state had won the championship by bagging 37 gold, 16 silver and 22 bronze medals. g Forest Department celebrates International Women’s Day Taking International Women’s Day as the apt opportunity to recognise extraordinary achievements of women, the Forest Department honoured 25 women from various districts of Haryana for playing a role model to other women and spreading awareness on environment along with other social issues. The programme was held on March 8 at Forest Bhawan in Pinjore at Panchkula. As many as 500 women from 17 districts of the state participated in the celebrations of International Women’s Day. The Chief Guest of the function was Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Haryana Cooperation Department, Mrs Shakuntla Jakhu. Additional Chief Secretary, Forest Department, Mr Ramendra Jakhu, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr C R Jotriwal and Additional Principal Chief Conservators of Forest, Dr Amarinder Kaur and R K Sapra, were also present on the occasion. Making use of the platform, many women came on the stage to share their success stories that inspired other women present there. The Forest Department, along with the women of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), organised an exhibition of products of SHGs from various districts to spread environmental awareness. Mrs Shakuntla Jakhu spoke about gender equality. She asked men to support women in their efforts so that very soon we could coin a new adage, “Behind every successful woman, there is a man.” Mr Ramendra Jakhu said that with a view to making women partners in protecting forests, a total of 2,200 Self-Help Groups were formed which were mostly handled by women members. Through SHGs, women have not just become self-dependent but have also brought a change in their socio-economic status. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr C R Jotriwal, said that the Forest Department had initiated many schemes to empower women and make them self-reliant. Under the leadership of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Dr Amarinder Kaur, the Women Cell created in Forest Department is working successfully. Dr Kaur said that through SHGs women had discovered their potential to lead and today many of them were panches and sarpanches in their villages. Besides, spreading environmental awareness, these women are taking up many other social issues like female foeticide, dowry, and drug de-addiction. 50 SPORTS HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 It was Jaspreet’s determination and optimistic attitude that helped her overcome the society’s traditional mindset against girls and make a return to the field, and that too with a bang Jaspreet defies odds, is back with a bang Saurabh Duggal T o resist an attack and score a point is what Jaspreet Kaur (17) has learned on the sports field, and this, she has quite successfully been able to replicate in her real life. It was Jaspreet’s determination and optimistic attitude that helped her overcome the society’s traditional mindset against girls and make a return to the field, and that too with a bang. A product of Shahbad hockey centre, she helped the country’s women’s hockey team win the World Hockey League Round-2 held in New Delhi last month and was adjudged the ‘best defender’ and ‘player of the tournament’. Latest sensation of the Indian women hockey, Jaspreet, who is a regular face of the senior squad since early 2010, remained in oblivion for almost six months, skipped a test series and four-nation series, before making it to the field again in September last year. After the Olympic qualifiers in February last year, the pressure of SPORTS 51 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 Know Jaspreet g g g g Drag flicker, deep defender and has ability to convert penalty corners in to goals One of the few and rare talents in Indian women hockey, who was picked to represent the country in the senior section before playing any international tournament in any age-group section Made her international debut in 2010 in a test series against Japan Has played 53 international matches for senior India and two tournaments in the junior section A proud family relatives for Jaspreet’s marriage increased on her family, even though she was just sixteen at that time. Eventually, her father Kirpal Singh decided to get her engaged and told her that the hockey field was no more for her. “At times, you are helpless in front of your family’s wish. But then because of your determination and passion, things start falling in place. I have forgotten the entire episode as a bad dream and now the only thing I remember is that every time I step in the field, I have to be my best,” said a bright and jubilant Jaspreet. It was Jaspreet’s mother who came out in her daughter’s support and stood by her. “Due to increasing pressure from relatives on us and a proposal from a quite good family, my husband decided for an engagement and after that an early marriage. Because of all this development, my daughter had to give up her dream of following her passion, hockey. She tried to convince her father, but he was not ready to listen anything. And then she started remaining aloof,” said her mother Baljeet Kaur. “I started feeling the pain she was undergoing and I decided to talk to her father. He didn’t give a damn to my thoughts, and so I requested Jaspreet’s coach, Baldev sir, to intervene. With our efforts we were able to convince my husband and he totally dropped the idea of marriage,” she added. PROUD OF HER ACHIEVEMENTS And now, not only her father, but the entire Kharindwan village (around 10 km from Shahbad) takes pride in Jaspreet’s achievement. On her return after making the country victorious, a large cavalcade from the village was present to receive her at Shahbad bus stand. About 10,000 people gathered to witness the village’s pride. “That day I realised what Jaspreet’s stature is. In our entire family, including the extended one, nobody has ever got such a rousing welcome,” said the proud father Kirpal Singh. “Now I realise what a blunder I was going to do. Her achievement has proved me wrong. And I am thankful to God that I listened to Baldev Sir’s advice and didn’t marry her off. It was coach saheb, who spotted her first and now she is back because of him. My daughter will play hockey till the time he wants, and I will ensure that nothing can stop her from doing so,” he added. g The writer is Senior Sports Journalist with the Hindustan Times, Chandigarh 52 ART AND CULTURE HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 The queen of seasons descends on the canvas The breath-taking beauty of nature during spring time has inspired many an artist from Haryana to paint their canvases in all hues of the spectrum, capturing the joys of the season Painting by Pinky Katyal events like Rangoli competition, onthe-spot painting competition, flower show, folk dance etc, are organised by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) during the two-day Spring Fest in the state. Various stalls displaying exotic flowers of different sizes, hues and colours are set up for the visitors. celebrating spring Anjana Datta S pring, the queen of seasons, the loveliest and most delightful of all, has finally arrived. Thank God! Neither there is a layer of chilly mist in the morning nor is the sun beating relentlessly upon our backs as during the intolerable days of summer. There is a certain mellow serenity in the air accompanied by a gentle and fragrant cool breeze, the birds twitter skipping from one branch to another, nature’s beauty is at its peak and one knows that it is the advent of the vernal season. As you look at God’s plenty around you, you are left in a state of flummox to see the enchanting and alluring sight of nature around you. The trees that have shorn off its leaves during autumn, lavishly blossom with dramatic extravagance during this time. All the annual flowers bloom only in spring. visual delightS As you walk through a garden, the very greenness of the pristine grass with dewdrops sparkling like tiny diamonds provides a rare visual delight. You are greeted by a riot of crimson coloured and scarlet red flowers, magnificent jacarandas, colourful lilies, daffodils and hyacinths, enhancing the beauty of the place. In order to add spice to this already vibrant season, a series of special The occasion also serves as a pedestal for some of the folk artists and craftsmen of the region to display their works. To add an extra dose of beauty and joy to the festival, some of the seasoned artists also come out with their creations to depict the splendorous botanic feast on the occasion. “We have our own unique way of celebrating spring,” remarks Shivani Parmar, an artist from Ambala. “According to Hindu lore, this festival marks the celebration of Goddess Saraswati Puja. We all prefer to dress up in bright colours like yellow, orange or red, symbolising the vibrancy and joyousness of spring,” she explains. “Spring is a glorious time. The season is welcomed with a variety of events to rejoice and celebrate the gift of this vibrant season,” remarks Pinky Katyal, another artist based in Gurgaon. “I make it a point to visit various gardens to witness nature’s glorious splendor from close quarter and feel connected to it,” she adds. “I am a lover of nature. The gardens with its lush lawns, a variety of bewitching flowers, in different shapes, colours and fragrance, in full bloom amid shady exotic trees and shrubs are the cynosure of all eyes during this time,” remarks Pinky. “The floral spectacle is there all ART AND CULTURE 53 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 and fauna. There is hardly any place on earth which doesn’t offer such incredible variety of natural splendor – the sea, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, flowering trees and shrubs stir the imagination of a nature lover,” says Neeraj Mittra, an artist from Karnal. “And spring is the time when nature is bedecked with resplendent trees, blossoming flowers and flowing rivers – all casting a magical spell. Imagine waking up on a lazy Sunday morning to the cool bracing air, trilling of birds and the susurration of leaves. That’s exclusive joy, so refreshing and rejuvenating,” he exclaims. His abstract paintings in oil colours capturing the vibrant shades of this season are feast to the eyes. Painting by Shivani Parmar As nature greatly fascinates him, most of his works convey an unbridled joy of nature. His through the year. But it reaches its paintings, depicting meticulous detail dazzling peak in spring when the of nature in vibrant hues in rich nature is at its salubrious best. To sacolours and bold strokes, fascinate the vour the beauty of nature, I carry the viewers. They show greater originalisimilar impressions on my canvases,” ty and innovation as well as depth of she exclaims. technical expertise in the work. His showcasing BEAUTY Her paintings showcasing spring are effervescent frames of nature. There are the fields with yellow stacks of paddy lying there. There are flowers everywhere – balsam, hibiscus, yellow trumpet-shaped flowers, marigold and lush-green lawns to delight the viewers. These are expressions of her mind on Mother Nature. Like nature, her work is vibrant, colourful and bright. The colours and lines harmonising with each other, allow the viewer to weave his own narrative along the line, as it were. “Spring is the only time when nature is blessed with an infinite variety of flora Painting by Shakti Ahlatwat work is full of intense expressiveness with a vibrant unity in content fully emphasised here. Shakti Ahlawat’s painting depicting kites on the canvas in various hues entices the eyes. The first thing that strikes you is the riot of colours on the canvas. Seeing his work, you begin to revel in his artistic motifs drawn from spring. His work has the resonance of familiarity. His art is an exciting and evocative combination of colours, brush strokes and sensitivity. expression of artist’s mind “Art is a deep and sincere expression of the artist’s mind. An artist has an obsession with reflections. Whatever an artist sees around him, he feels it and that sensitivity is reflected in his work,” explains Shakti, an artist based in Rohtak. He excels in interpreting his mood of the season on his canvases. A vibrant lively culture, distinctive arts and ceremonies, gentle and friendly people, and spectacular scenic beauty, all these give India a near unreal image in the world. India is a country which celebrates festivals from all around the world with equal joy which highlights its multicultural aspect more than ever. So it comes as no surprise that for spring too, the country goes all out to rejoice! g The writer is a freelance journalist 54 POTPOURRI Judge Yourself QUIZ- 8 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 “ QUOTE OF THE MONTH The difference between the right word and almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug” Answers to the quiz are given below in the reverse... Q1. In which district of Haryana are Rajdoot motorcycles manufactured? A) Hisar B) Karnal C) Ambala D) Faridabad Q2. In which of the following years were all villages of Haryana electrified? A) 1968 B) 1970 C) 1972 D) 1976 Q3. According to Census 2011, what is the percentage of literacy in Haryana? A) 62.4 % B) 55.8% C) 65.7% D) 76.4% Q4. In which district of Haryana the National Dairy Research Institute is located? A) Sirsa B) Kurukshetra C) Karnal D) Jind Q5. Which of the following union territories is the capital of Haryana? A) Chandigarh B) Pondicherry C) New Delhi D) Lakshadweep When God made woman When God created woman, he was working late on the 6th day. An angel came by and said, “Why spend so much time on that one?” And the Lord answered, “Have you seen all the specifications I have to meet to shape her?" “She must be washable, but not made of plastic, have more than 200 moving parts which all must be replaceable and she must function on all kinds of food, she must be able to embrace several kids at the same time, give a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee to a broken heart and she must do all —Mark Twain this with only two hands.” The angel was impressed. “Just two hands....impossible!” And this is the standard model! “Too much work for one day.... wait until tomorrow and then complete her,” said the angel. “I will not,” said the Lord. “I am so close to complete this creation, which will be the favourite of my heart.” “She cures herself when sick and she can work 18 hours a day.” The angel came nearer and touched the woman. “But you have made her so soft, Lord.” “She is soft", said the Lord, “But I have also made her strong. You can’t imagine what she can endure and overcome.” The woman is indeed marvellous! Woman has strengths that amazes man. She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens. She holds happiness, love and opinions. She smiles even when she feels like screaming. She sings when she feels like crying, cries when she is happy and laughs when she is afraid. She fights for what she believes in and stands up against injustice. g Answers: 1. D, 2. B, 3. D, 4. C, 5. A FEEDBACK 55 HARYANA REVIEW APRIL 2013 FEEDBACK A: Are you getting the magazine every month? Yes…………….No………….. B: Do you get it on time, say by the 15th of every month? Yes…………….No………….. C: How do you rate Haryana Review from the standpoint of get-up; lay-out; design and production? Very good……......Good ……......Average…. D: How do you find the contents of the magazine? Excellent…………….;Satisfactory…..…..; Unsatisfactory E: Does Haryana Review do justice to the readers by providing information about the state? 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