NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, today unveiled a grand statue of Maharaja Agrasen, inaugurated a newly constructed ICU, and laid the foundation stone for a PG hostel in Hisar, Haryana. The event witnessed the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and several other dignitaries.
In his address, Amit Shah highlighted Haryanaโs historical significance, emphasizing its role in enriching and preserving Indiaโs culture, values, and traditions. From the times of the Mahabharata to Indiaโs freedom struggle and beyond, Haryana has played a pivotal role in the nationโs development.
He noted that Maharaja Agrasenโs governance model ensured prosperity and welfare for all without burdening the state. Agrasenโs philosophy of economic cooperation, where every new settler was supported by existing members of society, laid the foundation for a thriving entrepreneurial community.
The Union Home Minister emphasized that today, the Agarwal community, inspired by Maharaja Agrasen, continues to contribute significantly to nation-building through entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
PM Modi Following Maharaja Agrasenโs Path
Amit Shah drew parallels between Maharaja Agrasenโs welfare-driven governance and Prime Minister Narendra Modiโs development policies.
He underscored the transformation brought about by the Modi government over the past decade, lifting 25 crore people above the poverty line and providing essential amenities such as:
- 4 crore houses for the underprivileged
- 81 crore people receiving free ration
- 11 crore families with gas connections
- 12 crore households with toilets
- 15 crore people receiving piped water
- 60 crore citizens benefiting from health coverage up to โน5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Shah praised the Haryana government for being the first in the country to ensure household sanitation through toilet construction initiatives.
Massive Investments in Healthcare Infrastructure
The Union Home Minister emphasized the Modi governmentโs commitment to healthcare infrastructure.
Over the past decade, โน64,000 crore has been invested in public health centers and community health facilities, establishing:
- 730 integrated public health labs
- 4,382 block public health units
- 602 new critical care units
He highlighted the tripling of Indiaโs health budget from โน33,000 crore in 2013-14 to โน1.33 lakh crore in the 2025-26 budget. Additionally, he mentioned the rapid expansion of medical education:
- AIIMS institutions increased from 7 in 2014 to 23 in 2024
- Medical colleges grew from 387 to 766
- MBBS seats doubled from 51,000 to 1.15 lakh, with 85,000 more seats planned in the next five years
- PG medical seats rose from 31,000 in 2014 to 73,000 today
Shah assured that within the next five years, every district in the country will have a medical college, further strengthening Indiaโs healthcare infrastructure.
Haryanaโs Transparent Governance Under Double-Engine Government
Amit Shah lauded Haryanaโs double-engine governmentโled by like-minded leaders committed to development. He criticized previous administrations for corruption in employment and praised the Saini government for providing 80,000 jobs to youth in a transparent manner, free from bribery and nepotism.
Haryanaโs achievements under the BJP-led government include:
- Tripling of medals won by Haryanaโs athletes in the last decade
- Highest basmati rice exports in the country
- One in every ten Indian soldiers hailing from Haryana
- Largest procurement of 24 crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP)
- First state to grant land ownership rights within red line areas (Lal Dora)
- 50% female participation in Panchayats
Major Financial Boost to Haryana
Between 2004-2014, Haryana received โน41,000 crore from the central government. However, under PM Modiโs leadership, Haryana has been allocated โน1.43 lakh crore from 2014-2024. Additionally, massive investments have been made in infrastructure development:
- โน1.26 lakh crore in overall infrastructure projects
- โน72,000 crore for road construction
- โน54,000 crore in railway development
Legacy of O.P. Jindal: People Before Profits
Amit Shah acknowledged the contributions of O.P. Jindal in fostering a community-oriented business ethos. He credited Jindal for instilling values of prioritizing societal well-being over corporate profits, making Hisar a hub for economic growth and healthcare advancements.
With the unveiling of Maharaja Agrasenโs statue, the inauguration of a new ICU, and the foundation stone-laying for a PG hostel, Hisar is poised for further growth. Amit Shah reaffirmed the governmentโs commitment to Haryanaโs development, ensuring prosperity through transparent governance, enhanced medical infrastructure, and economic opportunities for all.
