Kurukshetra: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday reiterated the state govt’s commitment to building an educated, healthy, secure and self-reliant Haryana, inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. Addressing a state-level function held to mark Phule’s birth anniversary in Babain, the CM emphasised that Phule’s life and teachings continue to guide efforts toward creating a just and egalitarian society.The event, organised by Saini Sabha Kurukshetra, also witnessed the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Savitribai Jyotiba Phule Group of Institutions. Haryana agriculture minister Shyam Singh Rana was also present on the occasion. During the event, Saini announced the opening of a College of Nursing in Babain, fulfilling a long-pending demand of the institution. He also announced a grant of Rs 51 lakh from his discretionary fund to the Saini Sabha. Additionally, he approved the widening of the Mathana-Babain road from 5.5 metres to 7 metres at a cost of Rs 13.38 crore, significantly strengthening local infrastructure. In his address, Saini paid tribute to Phule, describing his contribution as a “revolutionary force” in India’s social history. He noted that Phule fought against social evils such as caste discrimination, untouchability, child marriage and illiteracy, especially among women. Along with his wife Savitribai Phule, Phule established the country’s first girls’ school in Pune, marking a historic step toward social reform through education. Saini highlighted that the state celebrates the birth anniversaries of saints and reformers under the ‘Sant-Mahapurush Vichar Prasar evam Samman Yojana’ to promote their teachings among younger generations. Drawing parallels with present governance, the CM said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is advancing the vision of inclusive development through the mantra ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’, reflecting Phule’s ideals. He said govt schemes aim to ensure that the benefits of development reach the last person in society.Highlighting the govt’s performance, Saini said out of 217 commitments made during the assembly elections, 62 have already been fulfilled, while work is progressing rapidly on 157 others. Key decisions include increasing the creamy layer income limit for backward classes from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh annually and providing LPG cylinders to poor women at Rs 500, with subsidies worth Rs 250 crore already disbursed. He elaborated on welfare measures, including reservation for Backward Class-B in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies, and financial assistance of Rs 51,000 for the marriage of daughters from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The govt has also implemented 27% reservation in education and jobs for backward classes, along with concessional education loans — up to Rs 15 lakh for studies in India and Rs 20 lakh for studies abroad at an interest rate of 4%. Reaffirming the govt’s vision, CM Saini concluded that education remains the most powerful tool for social transformation, and the state is committed to ensuring inclusive growth by empowering every section of society. Ends MSID:: 130193166 413 |
