category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal made a significant announcement declaring free education in both government and private colleges for girls from families with an annual income of Rs 1.80 lakh in the state. In addition, he also announced that the government would cover half of the college fees for girls from families with incomes ranging from Rs 1.80 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. The fees for private colleges, where applicable, will be borne by the Haryana Government. The Chief Minister also announced the conversion of Samalkha from a municipality to a Municipal Council. He made these announcements during the Jan Ashirwad rally organized at Samalkha in Panipat district on Sunday. In a grand gesture, Chief Minister Manohar Lal unveiled a substantial development plan for the residents of Samalkha. He disclosed plans to establish two sectors, each spanning 100 acres, wherever land is available in Samalkha. Furthermore, he announced that the existing 50-bed CHC in Samalkha would be converted into a 100-bed hospital. Addressing infrastructural concerns, the Chief Minister announced the construction of a straight 1-kilometer road connecting the mini secretariat to the hospital provided people provide land for this purpose. This will make the commute more convenient. Chief Minister Manohar Lal outlined several other developmental initiatives, including an 8-kilometer-long road as an eastern bypass on the minor road from Karhans village near Pattikalyana, Rs 11 lakh grant each to Ravidas Sabha and Kashyap Rajput Dharamshala, and construction of an underpass at Narayana Gate in Samalkha with Rs 6.80 crore. He also announced construction of by-pass on highway in front of Samalkha bus stand, stalled work of Punjabi Sabha building will be completed, announced to give Rs 2 crore for installation of lights and beautification at Chulkana Dham. Other projects announced included the development of a vegetable market in Bapauli with Rs 1.25 crore, a bus stand in Bapauli village, and the construction of the bridge on Nangla R Drain at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore. The Chief Minister also allocated Rs 8.5 crore for nine roads of the Marketing Board and Rs 25 crore for the repair of PWD roads. The Chief Minister said that 2012 land dispute of the Agarwal community will be swiftly resolved. Out of the 57 announcements made for Samalkha, 42 have been successfully completed, and work on the remaining is in progress, he added. He assured that Bhapra Stadium, inaugurated last year, would be handed over to the Sports Department within the next month. He said that the previous government had kept 500 acres of land in Gannaur for years, and an international fruit and vegetable market is being built on it by spending Rs 5600 crore. He also discussed the development of a rapid metro train from Delhi Sarai Kale Khan to Panipat, with the Haryana government already depositing its share of funds for the project. He also addressed challenges in the foundry industry of Samalkha, assuring resolution, and revealed plans to acquire 100 to 500 acres of land for industries near Dekadla through HSIIDC. Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal highlighted the government s achievements since 2014, emphasizing the commitment to eradicating corruption, reducing crime, and eliminating caste-based politics. He underscored the state s appeal for investment, focusing on education, health, security, self-respect, self-reliance, service, and good governance. The government s initiatives include providing free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh for families with income up to Rs 1.80 lakh and naming medical colleges and universities after prominent individuals. MP Sanjay Bhatia, BJP leader Sanjay Chokkar, BJP District President Archana Gupta, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Jyoti Sharma and other officials were also present on this occasion. (editor dailyworld.in)