Hooda announces Rs 200 crore compensation to farmers

Chandigarh, Apr 7 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced Rs 200 crore compensation to farmers whose crops were damaged due to hailstorms and heavy rainfall during February and March last.

He was addressing a mammoth Vikas Rally organised by Hansi MLA Amir Chand Makkar at historical town of Hansi in Hisar district.

Mr Hooda reiterated his commitment that only the Congress party would bring water of SYL canal to the state. He said the matter was under consideration of the Supreme Court and the decision was likely to be delivered soon.

While taking a dig at opposition parties, he said that the then Lok Dal Party had opposed the Rajiv-Longowal Accord and Indira Gandhi Award, resulting in unprecedent delay in the construction of SYL.

He reminded that it was the then Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi who laid the foundation stone of the canal and had released a sum of Rs 700 crore for its construction.

The Chief Minister appealed to farmers, artisans and shopkeepers to avail the opportunity offered by the Government of waiving off of interest on cooperative loans. He said that with this decision about 9.40 lakh people of the state would get the benefit of a total Rs 830 crore.

Mr Hooda appealed to parents to provide qualitative education to their children so that they could compete with others in the modern age. With a view to providing qualitative education, he said EDUSAT system had been introduced in the state which was the biggest in Asia.

He said that 25 per cent seats had been reserved for the students of Haryana in the upcoming Rajiv Gandhi Education City being set up in Sonepat district.

While referring to the criticism of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being made by some leaders, the Chief Minister asserted that without introducing the concept of SEZs in the state the problem of unemployment could not be solved.

He made it clear that Haryana Government had prepared a road map under which special thrust was being given to promote industries and under the plan about Rs 2,00,000 crore would be invested in the state in the years to come which would provide employment opportunities of about 10 lakh people.

Regarding the power problem, Mr Hooda said that efforts were being made to generate 5000 MW of additional power and assured that after 25 months there would be no power problem in the state.

The Chief Minister honoured Ms Geeta Jakhar an eminent athlete and Jitender Singh who had brought laurels to the state by carving a picture on the grain of a rice.

UNI