Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that social harmony should be a way of life and that its true essence lies not in erasing individual identities, but in strengthening social and national unity while ensuring equal respect and dignity for every person.
Emphasising the government’s commitment to social harmony, mutual goodwill and inclusive development, CM Saini said the Haryana Government was working in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas”, with a focus on achieving the goal of Antyodaya.
The Chief Minister said the government was firmly committed to ensuring that development schemes and their benefits reached those at the last rung of society on priority.
CM Saini was addressing the Samrasta Sammelan and Pratibha Samman Samaroh, organised by the Meghwal Utthan Samiti in the Bawal Assembly constituency of Rewari district on Sunday. On the occasion, he honoured 411 young achievers.
The Chief Minister said Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas envisioned a society free from discrimination, fear and injustice. He said Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Mata Savitribai Phule challenged social orthodoxies, opened the doors of education to all and made historic contributions, particularly towards women’s education.
Similarly, Baba Saheb Dr BR Ambedkar regarded education as the most powerful instrument of social transformation and fought for the rights of deprived sections and equal opportunities. CM Saini said that although the paths followed by these great personalities were different, their ultimate goal was the same – knowledge, dignity, equality and equal opportunities for every individual to progress.
The Chief Minister said the government was making every effort to ensure that financial constraints did not become an obstacle to children’s aspirations. Under this approach, free coaching for competitive examinations is being provided to Scheduled Caste students whose annual family income is up to Rs 2.50 lakh.
Under the Dr Ambedkar Meritorious Students Scholarship Scheme, annual scholarships ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 are being provided. Post-matric students are also receiving educational allowances ranging from Rs 2,500 to Rs 13,500, along with mandatory fee support.
Students of Classes 9 and 10 are being provided an annual scholarship of Rs 3,500, while those residing in hostels receive Rs 7,000 annually. Free bicycles have been provided to 9,090 students at a cost of Rs 3 crore, while 4.02 lakh students from Classes 1 to 8 have received incentive assistance amounting to Rs 44.18 crore.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to promote merit and academic excellence, CM Saini said that under Mission Buniyaad, around 400 children received digital coaching. Of these, 272 students were selected for institutions such as the IITs, while 61 qualified for NEET. He said talented youngsters could realise their potential when provided with the right opportunities and platforms.
CM Saini said the government’s objective was not merely to provide financial assistance to needy sections but to empower them to become self-reliant while preserving their dignity.
Under the Mukhyamantri Vivah Shagun Yojana, Scheduled Caste families are provided Rs 71,000 for the marriage of their daughters. Over the past 11 years, Rs 1,200 crore has been distributed under the scheme.
Similarly, during the last 18 months, Rs 2,042 crore has been transferred to the accounts of 10 lakh women under the Lado Lakshmi Yojana. To expand the scheme, its registration portal will be opened in September, enabling women from families with an annual income of up to Rs 1.80 lakh to apply.
CM Saini accepted all 10 demands put forward by the Meghwal Utthan Samiti and said they would be forwarded to the concerned departments for necessary approvals.
On the demand for constructing dharamshalas in Rewari and Bawal, the Chief Minister said that once the committee identifies suitable locations, the government would initiate the process of making land available in accordance with the prescribed rules.
He also said the government had set a target of establishing libraries in every panchayat. Around 1,000 libraries have already been opened across the state, and the initiative would soon be expanded to all villages so that children do not have to travel long distances for studies and preparation for competitive examinations.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs 31 lakh for the Meghwal Utthan Samiti.
(With ANI inputs)
