Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced a significant increase in pension of freedom fighters and their widows besides promising cash incentives to sportspersons from the state on winning medals in the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Speaking after unfurling the national flag at Narnaul, Hooda said the monthly pension of freedom fighters of Haryana and their widows would be increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 11,000 per month.
Earlier, the Congress-led government had increased the pension from Rs 1,525 to Rs 6,000 per month.
The chief minister said the decision would cost the state exchequer an additional financial burden of Rs 7.50 crore.
Hooda said the government would give a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh to sportspersons from the state on winning gold medal in the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi.
Players winning silver and bronze medals would be given Rs five lakh and Rs three lakh each respectively, he said, adding Haryana would extend its full cooperation to make the Games a success.
Paying rich tributes to freedom fighters, Hooda said the state Government was providing a number of facilities to the families of martyrs, freedom fighters, serving soldiers and ex-servicemen.
The government announced a number of relief measures for victims of recent floods in the state, the chief minister said.
"They will be provided adequate compensation. 50% lease amount to be paid by farmers, who have taken panchayati land on lease, has been waived off in flood-hit areas. A financial assistance of Rs 1346 crore has been sought from the Centre to provide relief to the affected," he said.
On the power scenario, he said four new power plants had been set up in the state to make it self sufficient in electricity generation.
The chief minister noted that the state made tremendous progress in the field of industries. An investment of over Rs 53,000 crore had already been catalyzed and investment of more than Rs one lakh crore was in the pipeline, he said.
Special stress was being laid on strengthening of infrastructure, he said, adding the construction of Kundli-Manesar-Palwal expressway would be completed by December this year.
Gurgaon has been provided with metro connectivity which would be extended up to Faridabad and Ballabgarh, he said.
After the unfurling of tricolour, he inspected the parade and took salute from the contingents of Haryana police, home guards and NCC cadets.
The chief minister announced to give Rs 2.51 lakh for the school children, who took part in the Independence Day function.
Earlier he visited 92-year-old freedom fighter Babunand Sharma at his house in Narnaul and announced an financial aid of Rs 51,000 for him.
Comments