Haryana committed to water security, farmers’ welfare, says governor as Budget Session gets under way
The Budget Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha began here on Friday.
Governor Bandaru Dattatraya, addressing the Vidhan Sabha to mark the commencement of the Budget Session, reiterated the state’s commitment to securing its legitimate share of water from the Ravi-Beas rivers and completing the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal. He said that continuous efforts are being made in this direction.
“Moreover, the state government is actively working on the construction of the Renuka, Kishau and Lakhwar Vyasi dams on the upper reaches of the Yamuna river to ensure a consistent water supply to the state from the Yamuna and 10 its tributaries, Giri and Tons. Once completed, these dams will provide Haryana with 47.81 per cent of the total stored water,” he pointed out.
The Governor further maintained that a Memorandum of Understanding had also been signed with the Government of Himachal Pradesh for the construction of the Adi Badri Dam. This dam, being built by the Himachal Pradesh government, is expected to be completed by June 2027.
Talking of farmers’ welfare schemes, the Governor said Haryana is the only state in the country where all 24 crops are procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). “The government has also abolished the practice of ‘Abiyana’, which had been in place since the British era. To directly benefit farmers, Rs 1,25,000 crore has been transferred to the bank accounts of 12 lakh farmers for the purchase of crops at MSP over the last nine seasons through the e-kharid portal,” he added.
Dattatraya went on to underline that the Maha Kumbh held in Prayagraj recently was a powerful demonstration of the nation’s strength and unity. “In a vast nation like ours, which encapsulates unity in diversity, our Constitution gives equal rights to every citizen. The entire world witnessed the strength of our great cultural unity during the Maha Kumbh,” he noted.
“Under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana launched in December 2023, elderly individuals from low-income group families have been given the opportunity to visit Ayodhya and bathe in the Sangam during the recently held Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Through the Happy Yojana, 11,64,692 people from the state have travelled a total of 42.14 crore kilometres, free of cost since December 2023,” Dattatraya informed.
Talking about the Deendayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Parivar Suraksha Yojana, he pointed out that financial assistance amounting to Rs 840.90 crore had been provided to 22,585 poor families following the death or disability of a family member in an accident.
The Governor also claimed that the law and order situation in the state remained peaceful and under control, with an atmosphere of communal harmony and peace prevailing. “In 2024, a total of 1,11,397 criminal cases were registered in the state, which is 16,216 less than last year. This marks a 12.7 per cent reduction in criminal cases compared to the previous year,” Dattatraya added.
