Teaching of Bhagavad Gita to be introduced in schools: Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said that government will introduce teaching of Bhagavad Gita in schools across the state from coming academic session.

"Students in schools will be taught shlokas of Bhagavad Gita from the new academic session," he said.

The CM said that the government will also introduce a bill with "stringent punishment for cow slaughtering in the on-going budget session of the assembly."

The Bharatiya Janata Party Government in Haryana will bring a new law against cow slaughter, he said.

In the proposed 'Govansh Sanrakashan and Gau Samvardhan (Cow Protection and Cow Conservation and Development) Bill' provisions of tough law on cow slaughter and for conservation and better care of indigenous cattle will be made, he said.

He said that the government has taken steps to ban sale of beef in the state with immediate effect.

Haryana Government on Saturday imposed a complete ban on the sale of beef in any form and proposed to provide for 10 years rigorous imprisonment for cow slaughter.

Khattar, a first time MLA and the only chief minister of first ever BJP government in Haryana, said that the priority of his government was to end corruption from the system.

Noting that corruption is a "main problem" in the state, Khattar said that the government would take several steps, including introduction of technical system like IT, to eradicate the menace from the society.

"To end corruption one of the major things is to culminate discretionary powers," he said.

The CM said that since the formation of BJP government in the state the vigilance bureau had caught more number of government officials for indulging in corruption than the total cases in the past ten years.

"Whosoever is found involved in corruption at any level will not be spared," he said.

On reply to a query on controversy surrounding Robert Vadra's land deals, Khattar said that "our target is not to move ahead by keeping one person in mind. We have got a positive mandate to eradicate corruption."

He said that the emphasis of his government is to put a check on corruption.

He said that patwaris (revenue officials) have asked to complete some 50,000 mutations pending since years within a month in the state.

The CM said that the government would soon introduce a new transfer policy in the state.

"Transfer will not be considered as a disciplinary action rather people will be given postings as per their performances," he said.

Change of Land Use and getting officials transferred has become an "industry" in the state, Khattar said, adding, that transparency would be brought in the matter.

He said that due to recent inclement weather farmers in the state have suffered a "huge loss."

The government had already ordered a special revenue assessment of the loss suffered by farmers and a report on the matter would soon be submitted to the centre, he said.

The CM said that a central team would also visit the state to see the loss suffered by farmers due to inclement weather.

He assured that farmers who have suffered losses would be adequately compensated.

Khattar said that the government would create a data base of every individual in the state.

He further said that the state's new industrial policy will come in the next month.

"Investors are keen to come to Haryana," he said adding, that the government is committed to providing conducive atmosphere to them to set up their units in the state.

"We will introduce single window system where all formalities of entrepreneurs will be completed at a single place," he said.

Ruling out power shortage in the state, Khattar said that the government's target is to generate 400 MW power through solar energy.

He cautioned farmers in the state that the government would not waive off their pending power bills.

"In fact we are likely to introduce a scheme to provide 24 hour power supply to those who pay their bills in time," he said.

The state is suffering a loss of Rs 5.5 crore annually on the power front due to various reasons, including non-payment of bills, he said, adding, that the government would make recovery from defaulters by all means.

Over the vexed issue of Sutlej Yamuna Link canal, he said that the matter is subjudice as the case is pending with the Supreme Court.

He, however, said that the government would construct SYL so that southern Haryana's water problems come to an end.

He laid emphasis on diversification in the agriculture sector suggesting floriculture, fishery, beekeeping and setting up of agro-based industry as an alternative and viable solution to farmers with marginal land holdings.

He said that Internet connectivity would be provided in 4000 villages by year end.

In police recruitment, there will be no interview system and the only method will be written and physical test for the selection of candidates.

In other jobs as well, minimum marks will be kept for interviews, he said.

Ruling out dissension within the ruling party and its leaders in the state, Khattar said that "BJP is a party of collective leadership."

"Entire party is united in the state and there are no differences with anyone," he said.

Referring to cabinet minister Anil Vij's remarks on social media, he said that "it's stories created by media just for entertainment."

He said that his government was committed to get Swaminathan report implemented but a final call on the issue has to be taken by the Centre.

"We are in the larger interest of farmers," he said.

On the issue of land acquisition, he said that Haryana will follow what Centre's law says on it.

He, however, said that land of any farmer will not be acquired without his consent.

On the issue of procurement, he said that each grain of a farmer will be lifted by the five state government agencies.

He lashed out at the previous Bhupinder Singh Hooda government for "lopsided" development of the state.