Om Prakash Yadav, who is a Minister of State (MoS) for Social Justice and Empowerment (Independent charge) and Sainik and Ardh Sainik Welfare (Independent charge) in the newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) coalition Government in the State says the welfare of the last person of the society in the queue is his priority. Steps will be taken to ensure that irrespective of caste, creed, region and religion all the Centre and State Government benefits are reaching to the last man of the State.

He said one out of 10 forces in the Indian defence services is from Haryana and large number of youths of Mahendragarh and neighbouring districts are in defence forces. Being a Minister of State (Sainik and Ardh Sainik Welfare), all the possible steps will be taken for the welfare of the defense personnel of the State, he added.

Retired as Agriculture Development Officer, Yadav has been close to the family of former Minister Rao Birender Singh. Known for his social service, he is also president of Haryana Yadav Mahasabha. Two-time MLA from Narnaul Assembly constituency, fought his first election in 2014.

In the 2019 Assembly polls, Yadav contested from Narnaul on BJP ticket and won by getting 43.21 per cent votes cast.

In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, Yadav reveals his political journey and priorities as MoS of the State. Excerpts from the interview:

Congratulations to you, for the new role. What will be your first priority as Minister?

Thanks. It is a great responsibility for me. I understand the seriousness of it. I will try my best to meet the expectations of the common people. Welfare of last man of the society is the priority. All government benefits must reach the last person in the queue. In my social and political life, my priority always has been for the poor. Government run schemes will be delivered effectively for the needy persons of the society.

You became a minister after winning the assembly election for the second time. How do you view your this new role?

I am second time MLA and a first time minister. This is an opportunity to work for the people that I will use to the best of my ability. Haryana’s development is paramount and I want to ensure that everyone’s progress at any cost.

You retired as an agriculture development officer and joined politics. You have a vast experience of public service. What is your action plan?

I will chalk out plan after meeting officers and deploy their expertise effectively. All stakeholders need to feel important and valued for the State to really make a mark.  I will meet officials and implement the best practices. It is only after holding detailed meeting with all stake-holders that I will be able to unveil my roadmap.

You worked as an MLA in your constituency during BJP-led government’s last tenure. How do you view your government’s last five years performance? What are challenges ahead?

All round development took place at a rapid pace in last five years of BJP-led government in the State. Our government has done a lot but there is always scope for improvement. BJP-JJP-led coalition government will run five years smoothly. Both the parties have same goal of working for the people and betterment of the State. I see this as an opportunity to work for holistic development of the people of the State. Our government had reached each individual during five years of its tenure and will do the same in the next five years. As a minister I will also work hard on improving the delivery for the intended beneficiaries. I will examine all issues pertaining to the social justice and empowerment department and handle these keeping everyone’s interest in mind. I will focus and emphasis on redressing concerns of all the section of societies including farmers, traders and youth of the State. Our government will work for the people under the visionary leader Manohar Lal Khattar with only agenda of development in the next five years.

When did you think of joining politics? How has been your political journey so far?

I completed B.Sc in Agriculture from Hisar Agriculture University and have been actively participating in social activities since long. During college time, I had participated in several sports activities and was a good sportsman. After retirement as ADO from Haryana government, I wished to work for the people of the State and became Pradhan of Yadav Sabha of district Mahendragarh. Former CM Rao Birender Singh is my ideal. I had opted politics for social services. I contested election 2014 and 2019 and won. Now I have been given responsibility of Minister of State to serve the people of the State.

You must have made some promises during election for your constituency people. What are priorities for your constituency?

I thank people of my constituency for showing faith and electing me for the second time. It is true that politics is a 24 hours job. I have given maximum time to public life. I believe that if your intention is good and work unbiased, people will support you and send you in the Assembly. Work for public welfare will be continued.  A strategy for improving system based on effective delivery will be made in collaboration with the department officials. The officers will be directed to speed up the completion of the ongoing development works.

How will you meet the expectation of the people?

Overall development was carried out by the BJP-led government across the state, especially in Narnaul over the last five years. For the development of the constituency, large numbers of projects worth more than Rs 143 crore were spent in the last five years. Canal-based drinking water was provided to many needy villages. Narnaul got a girls’ college, a medical college, a trauma centre, an upgraded civil hospital and power houses during five years. More works will be done in the next five years.

Large numbers of youth of State are in defence forces. Being a MOS (sainik and ardh sainik welfare, what are your priorities for defence personnel?

Lots of works were being done by the central government for the welfare of defence forces. In Haryana too, all the works related to defence forces will be completed. Facilities will be provided to all the defence forces and their families. It is true that one out of 10 forces in the Indian defence services is from Haryana state. Large of youths of Mahendragarh and neighbouring districts are in defence forces. Being a minister of state (sainik and ardh Sainik welfare), all the possible steps will be taken for the welfare of the defense personnel of the State.