Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Ladwa (Kurukshetra), May 29

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said instead of pursuing struggle for Jat reservation, community leaders should support the state government in skill development initiatives to make the youth fit for employment.

Addressing a public rally at Ladwa, Khattar said since the state government was not a major employer, reservation in government jobs would not be an answer to unemployment.

“On an average Haryana government employs nearly 10,000 persons annually and 10 per cent reservation, as demanded by Jats, may ensure jobs to less than 50 youths in the 21 districts. I often ask the community why they are so restless for a handful of jobs whereas youths could have better prospects in various sectors if they get skill development training to hone their skills,” Khattar said.

Khattar said dismal academic environment was among the major challenges faced by his government.

He blamed previous governments for the dismal state of education blaming mushrooming of colleges that appointed untrained teachers.

“Of the 450 B.Ed colleges in the state, many have a dubious working. They promote students who remain absent with hardly any focus on quality teachers,” he said.

Recent scrutiny of government schools revealed of nearly four lakh fake students.

“To ensure postings at their preferred places, teachers had enrolled non-existing students as their pupils. We have introduced Aadhaar-based school enrolment to weed out the practice of misrepresentation of student strength,” he said.

The State would ensure the availability of electricity to those who pay their bills, he said.

Khattar called for public participation for Center’s initiatives—Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Announcing a financial grant of Rs 20 crore for Ladwa, which is represented by BJP’s Pawan Kumar Saini, Khattar gave his nod for the construction of a new bus stand at Pipli, an ITI, and development of two urban estates.

Khattar said strict action would be initiated against anyone trying to vitiate peace in the name of reservation.

Calling additional forces a routine exercise which was initiated by the state Home Department on the basis of assessment done by the police and respective district authorities, Khattar said there was no threat like situation in the state.