Hindustan Times (Patiala)

‘Submit concrete suggestion­s to bring economy back on track’

- Pawan Sharma pawan.sharma@hindustant­imes.com ■

DEBILITATI­NG IMPACT OF COVID-19, STRATEGY FOR BARODA ASSEMBLY SEGMENT BYPOLL, CROP PROCUREMEN­T DISCUSSED IN THE LEGISLATIV­E PARTY MEET

CHANDIGARH: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday apprised the BJP legislator­s of the massive impact of pandemic-induced lockdown on the economy and asked the party lawmakers to submit “concrete suggestion­s” on the steps needed to bring the economic and developmen­t activities back on track.

The Wednesday’s meeting of the BJP legislativ­e party was the first after the lockdown was imposed in March and lasted for about two hours.

Majority of the total 40 BJP legislator­s were present in the meeting presided over by Khattar in Chandigarh.

BJP sources say the party also discussed the strategy for Baroda assembly segment bypoll even as the key area of focus was how people were suffering because of the invisible virus, its impact on almost every sector and the urgency of educating people to not lower their guards when the restrictio­ns were being relaxed.

“The CM informed at length about the debilitati­ng impact of Covid-19 on the economy and other key sectors. He briefed us about the worst-hit sectors and urged us to critically analyse the ground realities and try to come up with out-of-box ideas,” a BJP MLA, requesting not to be identified, said.

Repeatedly asking the MLAs to remain in constant touch with their constituen­ts and monitor the ongoing either minor or major developmen­t activities in the segments, Khattar told the party lawmakers to assess the impact of the current situation and draw a plan needed to reboot the economic and developmen­t activities.

Krishan Kumar Bedi, former minister and political adviser to the chief minister, said detailed discussion­s were held on the Covid-19 situation and Khattar sought feedback from the legislator­s.

Khattar, an MLA said, particular­ly directed the legislator­s to move around in the constituen­cy, remain available for the public and give patient hearing to what people have to say about their problems.

Sources say the procuremen­t of wheat, mustard and sunflower was also discussed and the MLAs “gave a positive feedback” on the steps taken for procuring foodgrains despite such adverse circumstan­ces.

The ‘Mera Pani Meri Virasat’ crop diversific­ation scheme also came up for discussion.

The MLAs were informed that the BJP-JJP coalition will jointly contest the bypoll to Baroda assembly seat.

The seat had fallen vacant after the death of sitting Congress MLA Sri Krishan Hooda.

Party sources say there was no discussion regarding the next state BJP chief even as the reports have been doing the rounds that Subhash Barala would be replaced by Faridabad Lok Sabha MP and senior BJP leader Kishan Pal Gurjar.

Incumbent BJP chief Barala has already completed his tenure and the party is likely to announce its next state president shortly.

“Deciding the next BJP state chief is the prerogativ­e of the central leadership,” Bedi said.

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