Won’t tolerate laxity, warns Vij

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 15

The newly inducted ministers in the Manohar Lal Khattar Cabinet assumed charge today with Home Minister Anil Vij warning government officials to perform or be prepared to take voluntary retirement from service.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar accompanied the ministers to their allotted rooms as a number of supporters thronged the civil secretariat with bouquets and sweets. Even IAS officers made a beeline for their new bosses.

Power minister Ranjit Singh Chautala was seen surrounded by a number of well wishers while Vij, education minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar and cooperation minister Banwari Lal took to work straightaway by meeting officials and fixing meetings.

Vij, who has been entrusted with heading the key portfolio of the Home Department, said he would strive to improve the image of the police so that its acceptability among the public increased.

“I can go and raid anyplace anytime. This is my style of working. Wherever you will keep me, I will hit a sixer. Gabbar is back,” warned Vij.

“I will not tolerate laxity on anyone’s part. My message to them (government officials) is to perform and if any official feels he cannot do so, then they can take voluntary retirement,” he said.

Vij fixed Tuesday for presentation from the police department.

Gujjar listed his priorities too and met officials to get an overall view. “We have to improve our government schools, the pass percentage must cross 75%, the meritorious students should get coaching for clearing entrance exams and those in classes X and XII must get career counselling,” he said.

Ranjit Singh Chautala too talked of work ethics. “I don’t compromise on ethics. You all know my reaction to the Meham firing incident (he had revolted against his brother Om Prakash Chautala over the incident),” he said.

Cooperation minister Banwari Lal also called a meeting of officials from his departments. “I will ensure that sugarcane farmers get their pending dues,” he said.

Agriculture minister Jai Parkash Dalal will start holding meeting with officials from next week. “I have asked them to explain the roadmap to achieve the target of doubling farmers’ income. Regular monitoring of targets will be carried out every three months. Curbing stubble burning, turning farmers to crops that use less water and the right price for farmers’ produce are our priorities,” he said.

Dalal has an old association with agriculture ministry. As a close associate of then agriculture minister Surinder Singh, son of Bansi Lal, he was to board the helicopter with him but had to go elsewhere at the eleventh hour. Surinder Singh died in copter crash along with OP Jindal, father of Naveen Jindal, in 2005. “I narrowly escaped that tragedy,” he said, after assuming the charge.

Projects in pipeline to be completed soon: CM  

Chandigarh: CM Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday admitted that caste and regional factors were taken into consideration while inducting ministers. He described all ministers as capable and efficient and said they would work as a team and take necessary steps in the interest of the state. He said that besides taking several new initiatives, works which were in the pipeline would be completed at the earliest. TNS