BJP to review Hooda government's schemes, Vadra land deal

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said his government will review announcements and recruitment made by Congress government in the last six months. Employee salaries on Punjab pattern, old-age pension, loan-waiver, and interest-free loans too will be looked into, Khattar, the 10th chief minister of Haryana, said, reiterating that the review will include the contentious Robert Vadra-DLF land deal.

He however, clarified that review did not scrapping of schemes. “Those found suitable will be continued,” he said.

"We will conduct a proper review and continue those that are in public interest," chief minister said before his first cabinet meeting. "We will scrap schemes where discrepancies are found," he said.

Khattar said that cabinet has decided to stop all the ongoing recruitments with immediate effect. Also, all the re-employments made by Congress will be re-examined. "I have asked for a list of such re-employment and will probe if these were driven by motives," he said.

On the controversial Robert Vadra-DLF case, the chief minister said that the government would not be driven by the spirit of vendetta. He said that proper legal action will be taken in all such complaints.

Also, under the scanner, are the hurriedly made appointments of two information commissioners and three commissioners of the Right to Service Commission. Senior IAS officer Pradeep Kasni had opposed the appointments alleging breach of procedures.

Even though the BJP in its manifesto had promised to provide salaries on Punjab pattern, old age pension and interest free loan, the review is likely to delay the implementation of the ‘high-cost announcements’, sources in the Haryana finance department said.

"These announcements were made in view of the elections, without proper assessment of the financial implications," a BJP MLA said.

The Congress led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda had declared enhanced salaries and old-age pension of Rs 1,500 per month from 1 November, eyeing a third term in the state. He also announced pay scales on Punjab pattern to employee.

The BJP too promised to implement salaries on Punjab pattern. It has also announced to increase old age pension to Rs 2,000 per month in the manifesto.