Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, urged the Pal Gadaria community to prioritize their children’s education, emphasizing that knowledge is the most powerful weapon to break all barriers.
The Chief Minister was addressing members of the Pal Gadaria community on late Wednesday evening in Chandigarh while launching a public awareness campaign marking the 300th birth anniversary of Mateshwari Ahilyabai.
Paying floral tribute to the portrait of Ahilyabai, the Chief Minister said that the awareness campaign will continue until May 31, culminating in a grand celebration in Kurukshetra on the same day.
He said that the Pal Gadaria community is a living representation of India’s great traditions, culture, and hardworking spirit. This community has been the backbone of India’s rural economy for generations. Their heritage is proud and glorious. The community traces its lineage to the Holkar dynasty, which ruled Indore in Madhya Pradesh for a long time. The community has produced valiant figures such as warrior Malhar Rao Holkar and the revered Mateshwari Ahilyabai, said Nayab Singh Saini.
The Chief Minister further said that when we speak of a ‘Atamnirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India), the role of hardworking communities like the Pal Gadaria becomes extremely significant. Even in adverse circumstances, they have demonstrated with their inner strength, and dedication that if India resides in every village, it certainly carries the fragrance of their hard work. He said that, unfortunately, many communities were deliberately neglected for decades after independence, with no policies or direction made for them.
Nayab Singh Saini said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, today’s India is a new India, guided by the mantra ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas’. The government not only makes policies but also ensures their benefits reach the last person standing in line.
The Chief Minister said that just as Mateshwari Ahilyabai built temples and fought for the poor, Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has also renovated many temples and initiated several schemes for the social and economic empowerment of Scheduled Castes. The Haryana Government recognized that some Scheduled Caste groups still did not benefit from reservation. To bring them into the mainstream, the government has implemented sub-categorization within the Scheduled Caste reservation, said Sh. Nayab Singh Saini.
The Chief Minister further said that within the 20 percent reservation quota for Scheduled Castes in direct recruitment in government services, half (10 percent) has now been reserved specifically for the Deprived Scheduled Castes. Additionally, the state government had previously provided 20 percent reservation to Scheduled Castes in Class I and II posts.
Informing about welfare schemes for poor families, the Chief Minister said that free food grains are being provided to 52 lakh BPL (Below Poverty Line) families in the state. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, around 15 lakh women from poor families have received free LPG gas connections. More than 15 lakh BPL and Antyodaya families in the state are being provided LPG cylinders at the subsidized rate of Rs. 500. Besides this, poor families are entitled to 1,000 kilometers of free travel annually through the Happy Card scheme, he said.
Nayab Singh Saini said that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, homes are being built to provide shelter to every poor family. For home repairs, an amount of Rs. 80,000 is given under the Ambedkar Awas Navinikaran Yojana. The Ayushman Bharat-Chirayu scheme offers free medical treatment of up to Rs. 5 lakh per year for poor families. Under the Shagun scheme, an amount of up to Rs. 71,000 is given for the marriage of daughters from poor families. The DAYALU Yojana provides financial assistance of up to Rs.5 lakh to families with an annual income of up to Rs.1.80 lakh in case of death or disability of a member, he informed.
Expressing happiness at the progress of the Pal Gadaria community, the Chief Minister said that the community is now advancing in education, politics, sports, and entrepreneurship. Youth from this community are shining bright in every field like medicine, engineering, and administrative services, and daughters are also emerging as leaders through education. This, he said, is the true transformation and the essence of the new India.
He called for unity among the people and assured that the government will leave no stone unturned for the welfare, progress, and dignity of the Pal Gadaria community. Work hard, move forward — the government stands shoulder to shoulder with you, assured the Chief Minister.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Sh. Krishan Kumar Bedi, also paid tribute to Mateshwari Ahilyabai, stating that she was a torchbearer of Sanatan Dharma. He added that the present government has upheld this flag high. He emphasized that the state government is working with the spirit of Antyodaya, ensuring that every poor person benefits.
Public Health Engineering Minister, Sh. Ranbir Gangwa, also offered floral tributes to Mateshwari Ahilyabai on this occasion.
OSDs to Chief Minister Sh. Bharat Bhushan Bharti and Sh. Vivek Kalia, BJP State President, Sh. Mohan Lal Kaushik, former Uttar Pradesh Minister Sh. Satish Pal, and several other dignitaries also remained present on the occasion.
Additional Principal Secretary to CM takes strict action against officer over pending complaints on Jan Samvad, CM Window and SMGT
Orders issuance of Displeasure note to senior officer of Revenue Department
Additional Principal Secretary to CM reviews public complaints of Irrigation, Water Resources and Revenue Departments
Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr. Saket Kumar has ordered to issue a displeasure note to a senior officer of Revenue Department for negligence in resolving complaints received on Jan Samvad, CM Window and Social Media Grievances Tracker (SMGT). Apart from this, the Nodal Officer of SMGT of Revenue Department has been asked to submit an explanation for negligence in resolving pending complaints.
During a review of the Revenue Department, it was found that a large number of complaints are pending at the headquarters and district level, and neither effective monitoring nor regular review was being done at the district level. In view of the seriousness of the issue, Dr. Saket Kumar directed that a separate review meeting of the Revenue Department will be held soon, in which a detailed review of the pending cases will be done.
Clarification has been sought at the level of Chief Engineer (CEBWS) of Irrigation and Water Resources Department regarding 745 cases pending on the Jan Samvad portal. At the same time, the officers of Ambala and Yamunanagar Circle of Irrigation Department have been strictly warned for timely resolution of complaints received from the districts. During the meeting, various topics related to construction/repair works, water supply and flood control were also discussed in detail, which included construction/repair of canals, drains, minors, bridges, waterways, roads, beautification scheme of ponds, water supply for ponds and water works of villages, and regulation related issues.
Dr. Saket Kumar was chairing a review meeting on CM Window, Jan Samvad and SMGT late last evening. Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister, Sh. Vivek Kalia and Rakesh Sandhu were also present in the meeting. The Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister also directed the nodal officers of the departments to coordinate and resolve the problems faced by all the departments immediately so that the problems of the citizens can be resolved on time.
Last week, a review meeting of CRID and Urban Local Bodies Department was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Saket Kumar, in which clear guidelines were given to ensure quick resolution of pending complaints and accountability of the officers. During the review, action was taken against a superintending engineer for negligence, an FIR was registered in one case and orders for vigilance inquiry were given in another case.
Continuing this process, the works of Irrigation and Water Resources Department and Revenue Department were reviewed in yesterday’s meeting. Dr. Saket Kumar directed the Revenue and Irrigation and Water Resources Department to settle the complaints related to the general public immediately with complete honesty. He said the aim of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini is that the people should get all the facilities within the stipulated time and no laxity should be shown at any level.
Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister, Vivek Kalia said during the meeting, the pending Jan Samvad/CM Window/SMGT cases of all the officers of the concerned departments were thoroughly reviewed and details were taken on the progress of each case. He said during the meeting, many officers were personally contacted over the phone and information was also taken about the status of pending cases.
