‘2019 belongs to BJP, poll victory sure’

INTERVIEW

Minister for Finance, Excise and Taxation, and Revenue, Capt Abhimanyu, says that revenue and excise collections have grown more than the average of the past five years and the revenue on stamp duty has registered a growth of 25 per cent on the year-on-year basis in the past two years despite a slowdown in the real estate sector. He claims that with its robust fiscal health, Haryana can be a leading light in the country as far as fiscal management parameters are concerned. He insists the BJP will again form the government in Haryana and also at the Centre. Excerpts from an interview with Sushil Manav...   

You hold important portfolios such as finance, excise and taxation, revenue and disaster management in the Haryana Government. What do you think are your major achievements in the last four years?

I had the honour and privilege of serving Haryana in the past. Then I had headed the departments of industry, labour and environment. At present, I have the portfolios of finance, excise and taxation, revenue and disaster management. I feel honoured to have presented the first ever white paper on the economic health of Haryana. We, under the leadership of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, realised that we need to do something drastic and hence brought the Enterprise Promotion Policy — 2015. Under the policy, we introduced revolutionary changes in the industrial environment by completely eliminating ‘Inspector Raj’, changing labour laws, facilitating regulatory approvals through self certification and third party verification. These measures catapulted Haryana from the 14th spot to the third position in the country in “ease of doing business”. It was when I had the industries portfolio earlier that the government had decided to end the contract of the old concessionaire and float new tenders for the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway. The expressway was completed in record time and I am very happy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on November 19. In the Excise and Taxation Department, we made functioning online much before the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime was implemented in the country. The transformation from VAT to the GST was smooth primarily because we were well prepared in advance and had organised training workshops for all stakeholders. We have not only successfully implemented the GST regime in the state, but have also maintained buoyancy in VAT as well as GST collections, though the rate of tax in some categories has been reduced. In the Revenue Department, we have introduced online property registration, e-stamping, e-registration, e-mutation, online ‘jamabandi’ and online girdawari. The ownership and transfer and even the usage of land in the form of girdawari is now completely online. Haryana is rated one of the best states in the country in land revenue management. In the Finance Department, we have made all treasuries online. We have made the entire working of the government online as far as finances are concerned and have kept fiscal parameters under control. We have continued to grow and lead economically and maintain our pole position in the gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita income growth. We were among the first states in the country to give the benefits of the Seventh Pay Commission to our employees. We have been able to provide the largest social security scheme in the form of a pension of Rs 2,000 per month to more than 23 lakh beneficiaries. In the Disaster Management Department, we have given the biggest and fastest ever compensation to farmers in distress due to crop loss in natural disasters. The journey of four years has been very satisfying in terms of performance. We still have a long way to go and there is much more to be done. Haryana can be a leading light in the country as far as fiscal management parameters are concerned. I bet that Haryana can compete with the best in the world in terms of fiscal parameters someday. 

Basically, your ministries are not only responsible for revenue generation but also for proper utilisation of finances. If your departments fail, the health of the government will be affected. How is the fiscal health of Haryana today?

We have continuously maintained sound fiscal health of the state. We could take the right steps at the right time and supported the industry, agriculture, and service sectors by creating an environment conducive to their growth. This resulted in revenue growth. There had never been a dearth of funds for development or social welfare. The revenue and excise collections have grown more than the average of the past five years. Also, the revenue on stamp duty, which is directly related to the health of the real estate sector, has registered a growth of 25 per cent on the year-on-year basis in the past two years despite a slowdown in that sector. This is primarily because we were able to bring transparency and accountability in the system through e-stamping and online registration. We managed to check losses in public sector undertakings. For the first time, all four power companies are now making profits.  

Opposition parties often accuse your government of leading the state into a debt trap. They allege that debt under your government has increased disproportionately. What do you say?

Nothing could be farther from the truth than these allegations. I sometimes feel amazed at my political opponents’ lack of understanding and sheer ignorance of our policies. Many times, I have challenged former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for a debate or a discussion on the issue with me at any forum, place and time of his choosing. Your question is specific. You have said that the government debt has increased disproportionately. As a matter of fact, the percentage increase in debt per year in the past four years has been less than the rise witnessed when Hooda was Chief Minister. At the same time, more important is that the state GDP growth has been almost 50 per cent plus in the past four years. The per capita income has grown. We are well within the parameters of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003. Hooda is continuously and deliberately misleading people by ignoring that Rs 26,000 crore of debt, which we had taken over from power distribution companies, was actually taken when he was Chief Minister. It was more expensive. By taking over this debt, we have relieved the power companies of Rs 2,700 crore per annum interest cost. It was a wise decision that we took. We corrected a mistake committed by the previous government and now the power companies are making profits for the first time after long.

You also hold the excise and taxation portfolio. How smooth has been the transition from VAT to the GST regime? Has the shift adversely affected the collection of taxes in Haryana?

Fortunately, Haryana had done the homework well. While shifting from VAT to the GST, we had a deliberate plan of training of officials, tax consultants, tax facilitators, dealers, including traders, and the industry. We conducted training sessions at all levels in all districts. By the time the GST became a reality, Haryana was fully prepared for it. Even during VAT days, we had made our functioning online, as we knew that the GST would be completely online. Haryana has consistently been ranked among the top five states in the country in the implementation of the GST. I have no reason to be worried about revenue collections in Haryana. The trajectory, so far, has been on the right path. The implementation of e-waybills in the state has also been successful. I appreciate traders, industry, dealers and consumers for their support in making this possible.

Of late, a number of scams such as bogus input claims of VAT/ GST have come to light. Some officers have also faced action. Your comments?

We have acted strongly against such frauds and dealers as well as officials involved in wrongdoings. Such things have happened in many other states as well. Haryana has led from the front in tackling such frauds and has taken immediate punitive action. Such things have guided us to improve the system of detection of frauds.

You are also a successful entrepreneur. Your family is one of the few big business families of the state which have businesses across the world. What prompted you to join politics when you were doing quite well in business? 

God has been very kind to me and my family. My family has been conscientious in giving back to society for what it has given to us. I believe that the political system needs to be improved by bringing in educated and capable people to serve the state. I took the plunge; took risk against the dynastic politics of those who are established in Haryana for three to four generations. I took the challenge of establishing the BJP in rural areas. I always followed the ideology of my party so that I could become an example for others with experience of the industry and the private sector to join politics and serve people. In fact, I have been a soldier in uniform.    

The INLD, a major political party of Haryana, has witnessed a split recently after much tumult. Do you think this development will have an impact on Haryana politics, and how?

Such events could well be predicted. Most of the parties following dynastic politics have no ideology and will one day end this way. The lust for power and money without political commitment towards people cannot sustain. The history of various political parties in India and abroad has proved that internecine feuds have resulted in the end of dynasties-led political parties. The INLD has long been a party to reckon with in the state and its weakening has created space for other political parties, particularly the BJP, because the core belief of the INLD cadre is anti-Congress.   

Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has become very active in the past some months. He has started a rath yatra across the state. How do you view his electoral prospects?

The 10-year rule of Bhupinder Singh Hooda will be remembered in the history of Haryana for its crony capitalism, land scams, rampant corruption, regionalism, caste violence, industrial violence and labour unrest. The man has been charged with corruption by misusing power and is out on bail from court. Unfortunately, his misdeeds did not cease despite him losing power. He worked to create an environment of fear, and caste conflicts by promoting arson and looting in the garb of an agitation, by encouraging his supporters to indulge in violence that singed Haryana. People of Haryana are not going to forgive Hooda for the February 2016 violence that consumed 31 innocent lives, besides causing a huge loss of public and private properties. I don’t see any political future for Hooda in Haryana now. He is not getting any support except from his cronies. 

You are among the few Jat leaders in the BJP. Ironically, your own house in Rohtak was burnt during the Jat agitation for reservation and your business units were vandalised. Some Jat activists are facing trial in the CBI court for it. Leaders of the Jat quota agitation are unhappy with you for this reason. Do you think this will affect your electoral prospects next year?

I am a proud member of the brave community of Jats who are actually nationalists, and whose exemplary bravery for being always on the forefront in the defence of the country is well known. It is this community that can boast of having won most of the medals for the country in international sports events. It is known not only for bravery and strength, but also for its contribution to the field of art and culture. One of our daughters, Manushi Chhilar, is the running Miss World. We have thousands of youths performing well in academics, and joining IITs and AIIMSs. Jats are a progressive community. Our leaders such as Chaudhary Charan Singh and Sir Chhotu Ram were graduates from institutions such as St Stephen’s College and Delhi University a hundred years ago. Jats are known for providing justice to all other communities living alongside them in villages. Hence, the February 2016 violence was not the doing of Jats. It is a well known fact that the violence was instigated by a particular faction of the Congress which had no connection with the Jat quota agitation. I and my family enjoy the support and respect of a large section of society. In fact, I have been getting messages from the members of my community that the stand taken by my family behoves a true Jat family.  

The parliamentary elections are a few months away. The state Assembly elections are also due later next year. Last time, the BJP came to power in Haryana on the back of Narendra Modi’s charisma. What do you think how will your party perform in the upcoming parliamentary and Assembly elections?

I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that the writing is on the wall; 2019 belongs to the BJP. People will not allow those who play divisive politics to mislead them and stop the growth of Haryana and the country. We will form the government again in Haryana as well as at the Centre with even a bigger majority. 

Do you think the  Assembly and parliamentary elections will be held together or will the Assembly election be held on time?

My understanding is that both elections will be held when due. 

You have contested the parliamentary elections in the past. Do you plan to fight the Lok Sabha elections this time?

I don’t plan anything for myself. It is for the party organisation to assign me a role and I always discharge my duty to the best of my ability. 

Who do you think will lead the party in the upcoming elections and who will the Chief Minister in case the BJP forms the government again?

The BJP will definitely form the government again and our workers will lead the party to victory in the upcoming elections. I will say that it is BJP workers who will form the government in Haryana.

You are a very senior BJP leader. Do you aspire to become the Chief Minister of Haryana?

I am a small worker, a committed and dedicated worker of my party. My only aspiration is to work for the welfare, progress, and development of my people, my state and my country.