Ratia, January 26: The 77th Republic Day was celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm at the grain market in Ratia sub-division. District Council Chairperson Advocate Suman Khichad attended the ceremony as the chief guest, hoisted the national flag, and took the salute of the parade. Before the ceremony, she paid homage to the statues of martyrs Udham Singh, Devendra Singh, and Bhagat Singh by garlanding them and offering flowers. School children presented a colorful cultural program at the Republic Day ceremony, showcasing their talent through patriotic songs.
Freedom fighters and their dependents, social and religious organizations, officials, school children, and employees were honored with certificates of appreciation and shawls. The tableaux presented by various departments were a special attraction at the Republic Day ceremony. The District Council Chairperson extended her heartfelt greetings and best wishes to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Republic Day. She said that our Constitution was implemented on this day in 1950. It is because of this Constitution that we all have the right to equal justice, freedom, and equality.
She said that it is due to the sacrifices of revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Chandrashekhar, and Udham Singh that we are breathing freely today. A freedom struggle memorial has been completed in Ambala in memory of the people of Haryana who played a leading role in the freedom movement. Along with this, we have also achieved new heights in education, health, and sports. Many of our policies and schemes are being followed by other states of the country. District Council Chairperson Advocate Suman Khichad said that she expresses her gratitude to the brave soldiers who protect the country's borders.
In this direction, a Department of Soldier and Paramilitary Welfare has been constituted. The ex-gratia amount for soldiers and paramilitary personnel from Haryana who were martyred during wartime, and for Agniveers, has been increased to one crore rupees. A 10 percent reservation has been provided for Agniveers in direct recruitment. In addition, the process of providing government jobs to the dependents of the 1984 riot victims has been initiated. The current government, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mantra of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (Together with all, development for all) and "Haryana Ek, Haryanvi Ek" (One Haryana, One Haryanvi), has continuously worked towards the progress and upliftment of all of Haryana and every Haryanvi.
He said that in line with Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's philosophy of Antyodaya (uplifting the poorest of the poor), identity cards have been issued to all families in the state, ensuring that eligible families receive the benefits of government schemes at their doorstep. Free dialysis facilities are being provided to patients suffering from kidney disease in all government hospitals and medical colleges. Under the Ayushman Bharat Chirayu Yojana, senior citizens above 70 years of age are being provided health benefits up to Rs. 5 lakh.
Under the Chief Minister's Housing Scheme (Rural), 12,031 plots of 50-100 square yards have been allotted in two phases. Furthermore, priority is being given to youth from poor families in the recruitment of employees through the Skill Development Corporation. Provisions have also been made to secure the jobs of employees hired through the corporation. Similarly, in the agricultural sector, the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal has been created, linking various farmer welfare schemes.
The purchase of all 24 crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is being ensured, and the sale proceeds are being directly transferred to farmers' accounts within 48 hours. Farmers are being given a price of up to Rs. 415 per quintal for sugarcane. Under the Chief Minister's Kisan Khetihar Mazdoor Jeevan Suraksha Yojana, an amount of up to Rs. 5 lakh is being provided. Haryana is the first state in the country to launch the Chief Minister's Horticulture Insurance Scheme to protect horticultural crops from adverse weather conditions. To tackle the problem of stubble burning in the fields, biogas projects have been established in Kaithal, Kurukshetra, and Fatehabad, generating 49.8 megawatts of electricity.
Under the Stubble Incentive Scheme, an amount of more than Rs. 412 crore has been distributed to farmers for crop residue management. The government has respected the talent of the youth and has provided government jobs to more than 180,000 young people on the basis of merit. Today, Haryana has a prominent name in the world of sports. Our youth are achieving great feats and bringing glory to the state and the country.
The Chairman said that to provide higher education facilities to girls, the government has established a college within a 20-kilometer radius. So far, 81 new colleges have been opened in the state. Of these, 31 are exclusively for girls. Under the Super 100 program, students are being prepared for NDA and SSB examinations through expert institutions.
The Lado Lakshmi Yojana has been implemented for women. So far, an amount of Rs. 441 crore has been transferred to the accounts of more than 8.63 lakh women in three installments. To provide quality pre-school education to young children, 4000 Anganwadi centers have been upgraded to play schools, and nutritious food is being provided to children to free them from malnutrition. The government has decided to promote 50 percent of Anganwadi workers to supervisor positions.
Present on the occasion were ASP Divyanshi Singla, Ratia SDM Surendra Singh, Naib Tehsildar Vichitra Nand, Station House Officer Pushpa Sihag, BDPO Hanish Kumar, Shashi Prakash, Vikas Kumar Langyan, Municipal Secretary Shubham, Urban Council President Ankit Singla, Market Committee Chairman Raju Mehta, Vice Chairman Kulwant Saini, Vigyan Sagar Baghla, District Council Chairman representative Subhash Khichar, Municipal Council Chairman representative Mahesh Khanna, Dr. Sunil Indora, Joginder Nanda, Kulwant Saini, Sukhwinder Goyal, Ramesh Mehta, District Councilor Vakil Nathwan, Ms. Bibo Indora, Umakant Singla, litterateur Dr. Naib Singh Mander, B.L. Batra, Gurcharan Singh Khokhar, Block Committee Nagpur President Gurpreet Kaur, Kewal Krishan Mehta, and representative Gurtej Singh, along with officers from various departments, councilors, representatives of social and religious organizations, and other dignitaries were present.