Not invited for Beti Bachao programme: Haryana Health minister

Chandigarh, July 21: Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, who courted controversy after questioning the state government's move to rope in actress Parineeti Chopra for 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' initiative, on Tuesday, July 21 claimed he has not been invited to a key event related to the campaign.

As the issue yet again brought to fore the apparent strain in his ties with Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the health minister took to Twitter to deny any differences.

"I don't know who is organising this function, so how can I go there and attend it," Vij said today referring to the 'Call for Action' event at Gurgaon being organised by the state government this evening under the Centre's flagship scheme.

Notably, both Health and Education are key departments along with the Women and Child Department, which has been made the nodal department, for the success of the Narendra Modi government's BBBP programme.

Khattar, State's Women and Child Development Minister Kavita Jain, Parineeti, US Ambassador Richard Verma, besides other dignitaries are slated to take part in the event.

Last week, Parineeti Chopra was announced as the brand ambassador for the campaign by the Haryana government after which Vij had expressed ignorance on the issue and even went on to say that they do not need "any actor or actress for this campaign".

I am not aware what the programme is all about, Vij said

Vij on Tuesday, July 21 said, "I am not aware what the programme is all about. My department (Health) does not have any intimation. Moreover, the Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma's name also does not figure in government advertisements issued in the print media today about the event. So, I presume he too must not be invited for the function".

Vij, who was considered to be in the race for chiefministership after BJP won the polls in Haryana last year, has often taken veiled jibes over functioning of Khattar. However, he today sought to downplay any differences with the Chief Minister.

"The Chief Minister is my dear friend. I neither have any differences with him nor any difference of opinion," Vij posted on his twitter handle. He said that the talk of differences is a creation of Congress leaders who had to bite the dust at the hustings.

'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign, aimed at ensuring survival, protection and empowerment of the girl child, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Panipat in the state in January this year, an event in which Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit had also been present.

PTI