Haryana progressing better than Gujarat: Hooda

Jind, Feb 6 (PTI) Haryana is progressing by leaps andbounds and the state is far ahead of Gujarat in terms ofdevelopment and agriculture production, Chief MinisterBhupinder Singh Hooda said here today.

The Congress leader told mediapersons that the rice yieldin Haryana was 2726 kg per hectare in 2008-09 whereas it was1744 kg per hectare in Gujarat.

Similarly, wheat production of the state was over 4390 kgwhereas the same was 2377 kg in Gujarat.

He said that Haryana is at number one position in wheatand mustard productivity.

As far as Bajra is concerned, the state yielded 1769 kgper hectare as compared to 1365 kg per hectare of Gujarat.

Haryana yielded 980 kg pulses per hectare, 1041 kg gramper hectare, 1738 kg mustard per hectare and 694 kg cotton perhectare whereas the state of Gujarat had recorded 777, 1011,1136 and 507 kg per hectare of pulses, gram, mustard andcotton, respectively.

The rural population living Below Poverty Line recordedin Gujarat was 19.1 per cent whereas it is 13.6 per cent onlyin Haryana. Gross State Domestic Product percentage of Gujaratis 12.48 per cent and Haryana has achieved 18.13 per centgrowth, he said.

Turning to other issues, the Chief Minster said that hewas always in favour of a separate High Court for the stateand is trying his best to get it soon.

"I am expecting it soon," he added.

In reply to another question about appointment ofPresident of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee, he said thatthe UPA Chairperson would decide on the issue.

Responding to a query regarding response to theallegations of corruption by the leader of opposition, Hoodasaid that it was surprising that the people who are "neck deepin corruption" were now levelling "baseless" charges. It hasbecome "a sort of a joke", he said.

Hooda said that there was no dearth of funds for thedevelopment projects but the ban on mining has resulted inscarcity of raw material, which has hampered development.

He said that mining in some areas has been allowed and heexpected the development works would be further expedited withopening up of mining in more areas.