Haryana moving towards high Ease of Living Index: Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said the state government was focusing on moving towards a high Ease of Living Index for the people of the state after systematically ushering in a new era of corruption-free governance.

The Chief Minister was speaking during the fifth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Haryana has become kerosen-free and open defecatio-free, it moved from 14th to the third rank in the Ease of Doing Business and removed the blot of female foeticide.

Congratulating the Prime Minister for the reconstitution of the NITI Aayog, he said that it is a hub of innovation and knowledge for the states to learn from each other and to replicate the successes and good practices of others.

Elaborating on the steps taken by the government, Khattar said being both a leading agrarian and industrial state, the state has focused on managing and regenerating water sources in a sustainable manner.

He said the government set up Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority in 2017 for development, protection, rejuvenation, conservation, construction and management of all the ponds in the state.

The authority has developed a pond data management software to monitor progress of rejuvenation and development works on over 14,000 water bodies -- ancient and teh new.

Of these, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority is working on revival of more than 500 water bodies through rainwater harvesting.

A comprehensive drainage plan and 'zero drain out system' has also been taken up for Gurugram.

The plan includes creation of water harvesting structures, pondage areas, channelization of creeks and construction of recharge wells.

The Chief Minister said under the scheme 'Other Interventions under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana -- Per Drop More Crop', 881 structures have been created and 13,656 hectares have benefitted in 10 districts of the state.

--IANS

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