Jat stir don’t augur well for state: Gurgaon MP

Gurgaon MP and Union minister of state for defence, Rao Inderjit Singh, said the recent strife and violence in Haryana during the Jat agitation does not augur well for the state and is a zero sum game. Singh criticised the Haryana government for its failure to manage the agitation.

The minister was speaking at the valedictory function of the Happening Haryana Global Investors’ Summit that concluded on Tuesday.

“I can say this on the basis of my experience and understanding that the recent strife will not be allowed to recur as everyone is a loser when something like this happens,” Singh said.

The 10-day agitation demanding reservation for the Jat community in education and government jobs had brought the state to a standstill in the third week of February. Protesters vandalised public property, blocked road and rail transport and damaged channels carrying water to Delhi and Gurgaon.

Referring to the resentment brewing among the youth and certain sections of society, Singh said there was a need to balance development and take industries to backward areas.

“More importantly, the industry should think about giving back to society in terms of jobs and subsidiary work, which can become a steady source of income,” the Gurgaon MP said. He criticised the private sector for not employing locals.

The Union minster also reminded the state government about the importance of creating adequate infrastructure, and bringing water to the city. “Where will the water come from? Where are the roads? If the government does not plan and deliver on these things, the promises of development will not mature,” he said.

“Haryana, a water-starved state, needs to turn this condition around. The centre and state should together strive for sustainable development,” he said.

The protesters had also damaged a water supply channel to Gurgaon, leaving the city parched for over a week.

Appreciating the role played by the people of Gurgaon and south Haryana during the agitation, Singh said this maturity was the reason that the city raced ahead and became attractive for foreign and local investors over the last three decades.

After speaking his mind for about 10 minutes, Singh lauded the Haryana government for its perseverance. “I also laud the investors, who preserved their faith in the state despite the challenging times. Offers of investment worth `5 lakh crore are overwhelming indeed,” he said.

The minister also congratulated the state government for its resolve in improving the infrastructure. Creating educational and skill development opportunities for those whose lands were acquired for setting up industries and other infrastructure projects, is also imperative, he said.