 "I have zero tolerance for favouritism: Manohar Lal Khattar")
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, viewed as a political novice and an inexperienced administrator in the beginning, has proved his detractors wrong. Swift implementation of administrative reforms in the past few months, crackdown on corrupt officials and a road map for holistic development of the state have revived hope of effective governance by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which got an absolute mandate in Haryana for the first time. In an interview with Komal Amit Gera, the chief minister unfolded his vision for the state. Edited excerpts:
Your government said a new industrial policy would be announced. Why is it delayed? Do you plan to offer any incentives to industry?
We had uploaded the draft of the new industrial policy to get feedback from stakeholders. Then, it was sent for inter-departmental discussion.I needed time to understand the problems and expectations of industry from all sectors and regions of Haryana and now we are giving it final touches. We are contemplating concessions (to industry) on power consumption. We may encourage new industry to set foot in interiors of Haryana. This will give them access to cheaper land and help us address regional imbalances.
Yes, we might organise such an event before November 1 (Haryana Day). The date and venue has not been decided.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been touring extensively across the world, seeking investments through the 'Make in India' campaign. Did Haryana get any fresh foreign direct investment proposals?
We received investment proposals from China and Singapore. Investors from different parts of India, those who have roots in Haryana, have also evinced interest. Industry has come to know that Haryana has a corruption-free government and will not face harassment. They are waiting for the new industrial policy.
Why did your government cancel appointments made by the previous government?
I have zero tolerance for favouritism in appointments. Selected candidates should have the ability to deliver. Employment to one person is not only a livelihood for him/her; society also should benefit.
Haryana has halved the multiplying factor in rural land from two to one. Farmers are opposing it. How do you justify this?
The decision was taken by the previous Congress government and we have only implemented it. The logic given for this ruling was that the average distance between two urban centres in Haryana is only 15-16 km, compared to 100 km or more in bigger states.The high multiplying factor dissuaded many investors, as land cost makes a project viable or not. Moreover, in many instances, a farmer is the buyer of land. Our government did not acquire an inch of land since we assumed power. A 3,400-acre parcel proposed for acquisition in Bawal early this year was returned to farmers, as 100 per cent consent could not be gathered.
Farmers are unhappy as the Swaminathan commission report has not been implemented by the Central government.
Implementation hit a block, as the Government of India is short of funds. They might do it in a phased manner. Haryana is conducting a study on agriculture diversification and encouraging farmers to move remunerative crops than traditional ones. We are working on a cooperative model of agriculture, as 80 per cent of the farmers fall under small and marginal categories. Small landholdings do not give enough scope for diversification. We will provide them all kinds of assistance to grow non-traditional crops such as mushrooms, medicinal plants, floriculture, etc. Some retailers of Delhi have approached us to put up their outlets to procure fresh fruits and vegetables. We are counselling sugarcane growers to diversify, as prices have nosedived and hit the entire value chain. We are also planning to upgrade the skill sets of young farmers under the National Skill Mission in Haryana.
Farmers have been committing suicide due to crop failure. Are you preparing any contingency plan?
We are in the process of evolving a scientific system to assess the actual loss of crop. Our patwaris are not able to visit every farm. There is room for human error. The existing crop insurance system is also not workable as small farmers do not buy cover. We are working to improve.
You worked with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Does this affiliation help you as a chief minister?
The Prime Minister is accessible to all chief ministers. The Prime Minister, his Cabinet and chief ministers are in the first rung of the government. All of us have equal participation.
There were some undercurrents in Haryana BJP against you when you assumed power. How did you tackle that?
The undercurrents were only in media reports. There is absolute unity in the party. I communicate with my Cabinet colleagues regularly. Meetings with the legislative members are also organised regularly to sort out the matters. I am available to my ministers and MLAs. There is no room for any dissension.
The Haryana government has appointed the S N Dhingra Commission of Inquiry to investigate land deals struck during the B S Hooda government. When will it give its report?
The panel will give its report within six months. The probe is not against Robert Vadra or former chief minister B S Hooda, the scope of the inquiry has been limited to Sector 83 in Gurgaon, where the department of town and country planning had granted licences for developing commercial colonies to some entities.
There is a perception that the government is going slow on reforms. Election promises have not been implemented. Your government will complete one year this October. What is your take?
We did not publicise it but have pushed reforms aggressively. Of 164 common citizen services, we have put 23 online; CM window that was earlier the defunct has been revived and I am personally monitoring it. Online auction of liquor vends, C-forms and e-registration are available.
An assessment of obsolete laws is being prepared to scrap redundant laws. We are also doing a utility mapping of institutions and personnel in the government for optimum utilisation of space and staff.
Your government said a new industrial policy would be announced. Why is it delayed? Do you plan to offer any incentives to industry?
We had uploaded the draft of the new industrial policy to get feedback from stakeholders. Then, it was sent for inter-departmental discussion.I needed time to understand the problems and expectations of industry from all sectors and regions of Haryana and now we are giving it final touches. We are contemplating concessions (to industry) on power consumption. We may encourage new industry to set foot in interiors of Haryana. This will give them access to cheaper land and help us address regional imbalances.
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Do you plan to hold investors' summits to mobilise investments?
Yes, we might organise such an event before November 1 (Haryana Day). The date and venue has not been decided.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been touring extensively across the world, seeking investments through the 'Make in India' campaign. Did Haryana get any fresh foreign direct investment proposals?
We received investment proposals from China and Singapore. Investors from different parts of India, those who have roots in Haryana, have also evinced interest. Industry has come to know that Haryana has a corruption-free government and will not face harassment. They are waiting for the new industrial policy.
Why did your government cancel appointments made by the previous government?
I have zero tolerance for favouritism in appointments. Selected candidates should have the ability to deliver. Employment to one person is not only a livelihood for him/her; society also should benefit.
Haryana has halved the multiplying factor in rural land from two to one. Farmers are opposing it. How do you justify this?
The decision was taken by the previous Congress government and we have only implemented it. The logic given for this ruling was that the average distance between two urban centres in Haryana is only 15-16 km, compared to 100 km or more in bigger states.The high multiplying factor dissuaded many investors, as land cost makes a project viable or not. Moreover, in many instances, a farmer is the buyer of land. Our government did not acquire an inch of land since we assumed power. A 3,400-acre parcel proposed for acquisition in Bawal early this year was returned to farmers, as 100 per cent consent could not be gathered.
Farmers are unhappy as the Swaminathan commission report has not been implemented by the Central government.
Implementation hit a block, as the Government of India is short of funds. They might do it in a phased manner. Haryana is conducting a study on agriculture diversification and encouraging farmers to move remunerative crops than traditional ones. We are working on a cooperative model of agriculture, as 80 per cent of the farmers fall under small and marginal categories. Small landholdings do not give enough scope for diversification. We will provide them all kinds of assistance to grow non-traditional crops such as mushrooms, medicinal plants, floriculture, etc. Some retailers of Delhi have approached us to put up their outlets to procure fresh fruits and vegetables. We are counselling sugarcane growers to diversify, as prices have nosedived and hit the entire value chain. We are also planning to upgrade the skill sets of young farmers under the National Skill Mission in Haryana.
Farmers have been committing suicide due to crop failure. Are you preparing any contingency plan?
We are in the process of evolving a scientific system to assess the actual loss of crop. Our patwaris are not able to visit every farm. There is room for human error. The existing crop insurance system is also not workable as small farmers do not buy cover. We are working to improve.
You worked with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Does this affiliation help you as a chief minister?
The Prime Minister is accessible to all chief ministers. The Prime Minister, his Cabinet and chief ministers are in the first rung of the government. All of us have equal participation.
There were some undercurrents in Haryana BJP against you when you assumed power. How did you tackle that?
The undercurrents were only in media reports. There is absolute unity in the party. I communicate with my Cabinet colleagues regularly. Meetings with the legislative members are also organised regularly to sort out the matters. I am available to my ministers and MLAs. There is no room for any dissension.
The Haryana government has appointed the S N Dhingra Commission of Inquiry to investigate land deals struck during the B S Hooda government. When will it give its report?
The panel will give its report within six months. The probe is not against Robert Vadra or former chief minister B S Hooda, the scope of the inquiry has been limited to Sector 83 in Gurgaon, where the department of town and country planning had granted licences for developing commercial colonies to some entities.
There is a perception that the government is going slow on reforms. Election promises have not been implemented. Your government will complete one year this October. What is your take?
We did not publicise it but have pushed reforms aggressively. Of 164 common citizen services, we have put 23 online; CM window that was earlier the defunct has been revived and I am personally monitoring it. Online auction of liquor vends, C-forms and e-registration are available.
An assessment of obsolete laws is being prepared to scrap redundant laws. We are also doing a utility mapping of institutions and personnel in the government for optimum utilisation of space and staff.