Sampla (Haryana), Oct 9 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Tuesday said peasant leader Sir Chhotu Ram had undertaken various welfare works for the upliftment of the poor and that the British-era politician served as an inspiration for modern day government programmes.

Speaking at a public meeting after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 64-feet-tall statue of Chhotu Ram here, Khattar said, "The great farmer leader had implemented the 8-hour work rule for labourers and one-day holiday rule for traders."

Khattar said the vision of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram had helped the present state government to launch Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana for the welfare of farmers.

Khattar recalled that during his last visit here the prime minister had announced to rename Garhi Sampla village to Chhotu Ram Nagar.

The welfare policies and schemes of the government have helped the state shine at the national and international levels, he claimed.

He said a provision was being made for the registry of property within 'laal dora' in villages.

Apart from this, the state government has also abolished 'remand pratha' in the interest of farmers so that they would not have to make frequent rounds of the revenue courts to get their land-related issues settled.

He claimed the state had ensured transparency in government jobs. He said 8.25 lakh youths have so far been provided employment under the skill development programme.

During the public meeting, Khattar requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the remaining section of Kundli Manesar Palwal (KMP) Expressway, the work for which was likely to be completed in a month. He said Manesar Palwal section of the expressway had already been completed and made operational. The state government has also decided to develop panch gram yojana along the expressway, the CM said.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Steel Minister Birender Singh thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making the farmers financially strong.

He said Chhotu Ram had resolved to work for the welfare of the poor, farmers and people belonging to Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes.

It was Chhotu Ram who raised the topic of minimum support price for crops, he said, adding that Chhotu Ram had envisioned the Bhakra Dam in 1923 and today the farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan were getting sufficient water.

Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Dev Vrat also recalled the contributions made by Chhotu Ram for the upliftment of farmers, poor and people belonging to the weaker sections.

Speaking on the notable works of Chhotu Ram, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister O P Dhankar said the farmer leader had got the lands of farmers freed from the clutches of landlords, got their loans waived and ensured better prices for their produce. "Some used to call him 'Chota Ram'," Dhankar remembered.

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