GOHANA: All villages in Haryana would be linked through internet and each village would have its own website through which information about various development works would be made available to the people.
To begin with, broadband facility would be provided in 2500 villages this year and to all remaining villages during the next three-and-a-half years, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said while addressing "Haryana Swaran Jayanti Panchayat Sammelan" here today.
BJP National president Amit Shah and representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions from about 6907 villages participated in the Sammelan.
The Chief Minister, who made a number of announcements for further strengthening the rural infrastructure, announced that village streets would be constructed at a cost of Rs 5000 crore under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA).
He said that the State Government has made adequate arrangement for supply of drinking water in the State, especially in the month of April, May and June.
The Chief Minister also announced those village, block samiti and district which would achieve the target of hundred per cent household toilets, under the Nirmal Gram Yajana by November 1, 2016, would be honoured with a cash award of Rs one lakh, Rs five lakh, and Rs 20 lakh respectively.
Apart from this concerned additional Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Block Development and Panchayat Officer concerned would also be honoured by the government.
While referring to the recent agitation in the State, Khattar cautioned the people against those forces which are trying to divide them.
He said that "we are united and would remain united".
He urged the people to live with the spirit of 'Haryana Ek Haryanvi Ek.'
He said that on the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for rural development, various schemes of the Central and State Government have been implemented.
Khattar said that initially, development of villages and welfare of farmers and the poor would be ensured by following the spirit of 'Antodaya' so that the benefit of welfare schemes and programmes reach the grass root level.
While referring to the budget of the State Government, Manohar Lal Khattar said that earlier an increase of eight to ten per cent used to be made in the budget every year, but the present Government has made an increase of 28 per cent in the State s budget.
He said that this year budget of Rs 88,000 core has been presented as against the previous budget of Rs 69,000 crore.
Apart from this additional Rs 200 crore would be spent on the development projects, he added.
Khattar said that the State Government is committed to provide housing facility to the poor in the State.
He said the Centre has implemented the scheme 'Housing For All. Under this scheme, the State Government has set a target to construct one lakh 'pucca' houses this year and each eligible beneficiary would be provided Rs 1.50 lakh for the construction of house.
Apart from this, it has also been decided to increase the carpet area of houses meant for economically weaker sections and those living Below Poverty Line under various housing schemes from 30 square meters to 50 square meter.
The Chief Minister said that the villages having population of more than 10,000 were being given the name of 'Maha Gram Panchayats' and would be provided with sewerage and drainage facilities. At present the number of such villages is 120.
He said that with a view to provide all people centric services in all villages online, village secretariat were being constructed.
The village secretariats would be constructed in 1000 villages this year and the remaining villages would be covered during the next three-and-a-half years.
He said that the State Government has adopted the policy of zero tolerance for corruption to ensure hundred per cent utilization of funds mean for development.
The State Government has decided to constitute village level social audit committees to ensure optimum utilization of funds, Khattar said.
The State Government is effectively implementing the 'Swacch Bharat Abhiyan' under which it has decided to achieve hundred per cent target of household toilets.
At present the number of such villages is 9500.
He said that it has also been decided to make the State Kerosene free.
Khattar said that as the State is completing 50 years of its existence this year, various new schemes would be implemented for providing employment opportunities to the youth.
He said that 359 MoUs signed during the 'Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit at Gurgaon in March this year with investment proposals of Rs 5.84 lakh crore would also generate employment opportunities for the youth.
Earlier Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayti Raj, Birender Singh said that with a view to ensure rural development in the State, Rs two lakh crore would be directly transferred to the bank accounts of concerned Panchayats, another Rs two lakh crore would be given for undertaking various development works under MGNREGA in the next five years.
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Pal Gurjar said that both the Central and the State Governments are working for the welfare of the poor, farmers and labourers.
Haryana Agriculture Minister O P Dhankar said that for the first time educated youth including women have made way to the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
He said that Pradhan Mantri Krishi Bima Yojna has been implemented and he urged the representatives of the PRIs to work for the success of this scheme.
Haryana Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu said that the Gram Uday se Bharat Udey has boosted the confidence of the newly elected representatives of PRIs.
He said that a target has been fixed to double the income of farmers by 2022.
He said various schemes for the welfare of farmers and development of villages would be implemented and he assured that there would be no dearth of funds for the same.