Farmers Movement Archive

2 years of BJP-JJP rule: Covid, farm stir kept Haryana government on toes

Tribune News ServiceChandigarh, October 25The Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP-JJP alliance government, which turns two years old tomorrow, has spent the better part of its term crisis-hopping and no end seems to be in sight.Soon after assuming power following the fractured mandate of 2019 where no party got a clear majority, the Covid virus came knocking and kept the government on its toes.While the government juggled issues of overflowing hospitals, oxygen shortage and a troubled economy during the Covid-hit months, the alliance struggled out of these trying times. Hardly had the cases started to recede and the government faced another daunting challenge posed by the farmers up against the Centre’s three farm laws. Marching from Punjab right through Haryana, they laid siege at the Delhi borders and continue to camp at Singhu and Tikri.To make matters worse, the movement of the BJP and JJP leaders continues to be very restricted since protests by the farmers follow them wherever they go.The ongoing DAP fertiliser shortage has added to the government’s headache as long queues and short supplies have translated into road blocks and protests in districts of south Haryana.While the alliance, cobbled post-election, remains intact, the Chief Minister, on his part, has tried to micro-manage at various levels whatever challenges his government faced.However, the crises did not hold back the government from taking “big decisions”, including 75% reservation for Haryanvis in private sector jobs up to a certain salary, 50% for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and the launch of the “Meri Fasal Mera Byora” portal to facilitate easy procurement of crops and provide direct benefits of compensation and other schemes to the farmers.Though the notification for reservation of jobs in the private sector is yet to be done for it to come into force, the right to recall elected representatives of PRIs is being seen as another “empowering” decision.State BJP chief OP Dhankar said the Khattar-led government had made direct payment to farmers a reality. Better water management and giving ownership rights to villagers as also to individuals who have leased or licenced municipal houses or shops for 20 years or more are among its big achievements. “Increasing social security, opening 2,000 ‘Har Hith’ stores, providing insurance cover to farmers and arhtiyas during Covid, rehabilitation of children who have lost both parents to Covid, sprucing up health facilities…the list is endless and offers something for every section,” he added.However, the Opposition feels that the government has nothing to showcase in the name of achievement. Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Hooda said the alliance had proved to be a complete “failure” in its two years. “They mismanaged the ground situation whether it was Covid, farm stir, fertiliser crisis or providing security and health services. This alliance was never meant to be and was put together with the sole aim of retaining power. The state and its people find themselves completely abandoned and nobody in the government has the time to listen to them.”Something for every sectionIncreasing social security, opening 2K ‘Har Hith’ stores, insurance to farmers amid Covid, better health facilities… the list offers something for every section. — OP Dhankar, state BJP chiefA complete failureThe alliance failed every challenge & mismanaged the ground situation whether it was Covid, farm stir, DAP crisis or security & health services. They were never meant to be. Bhupinder Hooda, lop

The Tribune

2021-10-26