SATISH HANDA

Nearly 32 lakh labourers have returned to work in nearly 47000 industrial units out of total number of about a lakh micro, small, medium enterprises (MSME) in Haryana state already started production as per central government guidelines. State government has given powers to all deputy commissioners in the state for opening of remaining industrial units in a zone during 4.0 lock down period. Dushyant Chautala deputy chief minister also holding the charge of labour and employment department in the state addressing media persons told that nearly 32 lakh workers has started work in their manufacturing units permitted to start work in Rad, Green and Orange zones, whereas industrial units situated in  250 containment zones in the state has not been permitted to open their manufacturing units. According to information, on May 12 there were 198 containment zones in the state and another 52 zones mainly at Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonepat and Jhajjer near Delhi having between 37 to 100 active cases are known as critical zones.

Dushyant Chautala told that Maruti Udyog in Gurugram district started production on May 12, 2020 has already rolled out few vehicles in a short span of few days. Mool Chand Sharma state transport minister said that Haryana Roadways has already started services in the state during 4.0 lock down period and there is plan to start bus services in adjoining states Delhi, Chandigarh, H.P, U.P, Uttarkhand and Rajasthan observing social distancing soon. Chautala said, state government is making every effort to increase revenue and bring back financial activities in the state on right track. He disclosed, budget worth Rs 1000 crore has been finalized in the state to complete developmental works in alliance with MNREGA scheme this year. Deputy Chief Minister told that in past five years developmental works of value worth rs 350 to Rs 450 crore every year were co0mpleted through MNREGA scheme and now focusing on introducing large number of additional works to increase employment opportunities under this scheme in the fields of construction of schools, construction of roads, cleanliness of ponds and forestry in rural areas. Chautala said, decision has been taken to increase financial activities to improve economic condition of state. He said, excise department in the state has earned revenue worth Rs 300 to Rs 350 crore in past one week, apart from this government has permitted to icrease number of registrations of properties in order to earn additional revenue to government and amount worth Rs 100 crore earned in a short span of few days. He said, Haryana state government have plans to develop new industry trying hard to invite foreign investment in the state which would also create sources for employment opportunities in the state.. Chautala admitted that shifting of migrant labourers, especially skilled labour to their native states is likely to make severe dents in industry in the state but state government is trying to make available skilled as well as unskilled labourers and have plans to develop residential houses for labourers near prominent industrial sectors across the state and large number of labourers from other states has started registered themselves willing to join industry in Haryana state.

Shouting slogans ‘Vande Matram’, ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Haryana Sarkar Jindabad’ a train carrying 1296 migrant labourers along with 12 children including 693 from Ambala, 398 from Yamunanagar and 205 from Panchkula left in fourth special train arranged by District Red Cross Society Ambala from platform number 3 Ambala Cantt railway station for Bhagalpur in Bihar on May 19 late evening. All passengers travelling in the train were provided free railway ticket, face mask, a sanitizer bottle and water after screening test by health department at the railway station.  Among those present at the railway station during train departure were Capt. Shakti Singh Nodel officer, Satinder Siwach Estate officer, Subhash Sihag SDM Ambala, Vijay Lakshmi District Red Cross officer and B.S. Gill Station Director.

A passenger travelling in a special labour train running between Ludhiana and Akbarpur became unwell during journey when brought down from the train compartment at platform number 2 Ambala Cantt railway station was declared died by doctor arrived from railway hospital Ambala Cantt. Body of deceased was identified as Sunil Ahmed resident of village Ratna in U.P and was sent to civil hospital mortuary to identify if it was a case of corona positive or death due to some other reason. The body of deceased remained lying in the train for a long times and the train remained stranded at the platform no. 2 for more than two hours.