Haryana CM Khattar praises khap panchayats, calls them 'custodian of social customs'

Kandela: Heaping praises on Khap Panchayats, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said these groups have always been a significant contributor in resolving social issues and are part of “our traditions”. [caption id=“attachment_2260218” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar praised Khap panchayats. Image courtesy: Facebook[/caption] “Even today, Khaps are playing an important role in redressing public grievances as well as strengthening the feeling of brotherhood,” Khattar said at a felicitation function organised by Sarvjatiya Kandela Khap and Kandela Gram Panchayat in Jind district. “However, time and again, many misconceptions are spread about Khaps that they are unconstitutional bodies, but I have always been saying that Khaps act as custodian of our social customs,” he said. Khap not only delivers judgments but it also exhorts the citizens, he said, adding, “I was born in Nidana village which is under Maham Chaubisi Khap.” He thanked the Khap panchayats for their role in implementation of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme. Last month, Akhil Bharatiya Jaat Mahasabha (ABJM) and Khap panchayats had vowed to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign and said they would work at village level to give a boost to the scheme. After laying the foundation of a big hall of ‘Historical Chabutra’ of Kandela Khap, Khattar urged the villagers to maintain honour and dignity of Khap Panchayats as per social traditions. Later, Khap leaders and villagers submitted a charter of demands to the Chief Minister. Khattar said he was very well versed with the problems of the area and promised to address the issues. On the compensation to farmers who had suffered losses due to untimely rain and hailstorm, Khattar said the state government has given compensation of about Rs 1,100 crore to the affected farmers. However, complaints have been received from some places about irregularities committed by Patwaris (revenue officials) on which action is being taken, he said. Referring to the campaign launched by the government to curb corruption, he said that during his last visit to Jind he had ordered disciplinary action against those Tehsilars who had committed irregularities. The same practice would be adopted in future also against those found indulging in wrong doings, the Chief Minister said. Khattar said he would again visit Kandela during public meeting of Jind Assembly constituency. Notably, two-time former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, along with his supporters, will take to streets to highlight alleged anti-people policies of the Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government in the state by starting a ‘Jansampark Abhiyan’ from Kandela village on 31 May. On the issue of women safety, Khattar said the state government has decided to open a women police station in every district. Any woman would be able to get her complaint registered telephonically at these police stations. In case of need, police vehicle would facilitate the women to reach police station to get her complaint registered. Khap leader Takram Kandela welcomed the Chief Minister on this occasion. State BJP President Subhash Barala also addressed the gathering. State President of All India Jat Mahasabha Om Parkash Maan, Takram Kandela, besides representatives of various Khap Panchayats, was present on this occasion. PTI