SC, OBC students to be given full scholarship in govt colleges: Haryana CM

The Chief Minister was speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised by the All India Saini Seva Samaj on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule in Gurugram.

On this occasion, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, MP Upendra Kushwaha and Kalpana Saini were also present.

Paying tribute to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Chief Minister Saini said: "Mahatma Jyotiba Phule worked to awaken the country and society at a time when India was in the shackles of slavery. He devoted his entire life to stop child marriage, supporting widow remarriage, giving women the right to education, eliminating untouchability and empowering the society. He raised his voice for the education of girls, widow remarriage and Dalit upliftment, that too in times when it was difficult to even think about these things. He used to say that "only education can uplift a person and a society"."

The Chief Minister said that Mahatma Jyotiba Phule along with his wife Savitribai Phule opened India's first girls' school in Pune.

"His wife was also a great social reformer and India's first female teacher," CM Saini added.

Savitribai Phule dedicated her life for women's education, empowerment and their rights, the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister also praised the All India Saini Seva Samaj for organising the National Awakening Maha Sammelan on Mahatma Phule's birth anniversary.

CM Saini said Mahatma Phule's ideals give us a direction in accordance of which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas'.

"The history of Saini society is ancient and glorious. It has always considered labour, sacrifice and service as its religion. The contribution of this society in agriculture, horticulture and public service has been incomparable. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, the pioneer of social revolution and Savitribai Phule, the first female teacher of India, are gems of Saini society," he added.

The Chief Minister said the welfare and upliftment of the poor was, is and will remain our resolve.

"Therefore, our basis of development is the empowerment of the poor. The focus on last mile delivery has changed the lives of these classes. This resolve to serve the deprived is true social justice."

He said the state government has increased the income limit of creamy layer for Backward Classes from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh annually and has given reservation to Backward Class-B in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.

"It is very difficult for the poor to bear the expenses of children's education. Therefore, loans up to Rs 15 lakh for studies in the country and up to Rs 20 lakh for studies abroad are given to children of Backward Class families with annual income up to Rs 3 lakh at 4 per cent annual interest," he added.

He described the state government as farmer-friendly and said Haryana is the first state in the country where it has decided to buy 100 per cent of the crops of farmers at the Minimum Support Price.

Under the 'Har-Ghar Grihini Yojana' of the Haryana government, gas cylinders are being given to 17 lakh poor families every month for only Rs 500.

The Chief Minister appealed to the people to educate their children and said that this would be a true tribute to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.