Haryana

• 21 Jun 2023

Union Transport and Highways Minister gave a big gift to Haryana

Why in News?

On June 20, 2023, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated 11 flyovers on the eight-lane National Highway from Delhi to Panipat in the Sonipat district of Haryana.

Key Points:

• The project is 24 km long and has cost around Rs 900 crore.
• The Union Road Transport and Highways Minister also laid the foundation stone of Karnal bypass and the new bypass for Ambala city besides inaugurating 11 flyovers from Delhi to Panipat. The cost of these projects is about Rs.3700 crores.
• On this occasion, The Chief Minister of the state Mr. Manohar Lal said that so far 17 National Highways have been constructed in the state and Haryana is perhaps the only state whose all the district centres have been connected with national highways.

The Haryana Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme

Why in News?

On June 20, 2023, Haryana's Forest and Environment Minister Kanwar Pal said that the state government will also give pensions to trees above 75 years of age on the lines of pensions given to elderly people. In this regard, the government has prepared and notified 'The Haryana Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme'.

Key Points:

• This pension given under 'The Haryana Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme' will be Rs 2500 per year. Now people will be entitled to pension for trees above 75 years of age standing in the courtyard of their house and engaged in the field.
• At present, this scheme has been made for 5 years, later it will be further improved based on the need and suggestions.
• The scheme covers trees grown from a single seed. A grove of trees arising from a seed, like ficusbengalensis, would also be considered a single tree.
• The scheme does not cover fallen trees, hollow, dead, dry or diseased trees. Trees standing on forest land will not be covered under this scheme.
• The Environment Minister said that the decision to include which trees above the age of 75 years in 'The Haryana Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme' will be taken by a committee formed under the chairmanship of a divisional forest officer.
• The amount of pension given by the state government for the maintenance of the Pran Vayu Devta tree will be sent to the bank account of the owner of the tree.
• The pension of Pran Vayu Devta Tree will be increased every year on the lines of the 'Old Age Samman Pension Scheme'.