Rohtak, March 16 – Member of Parliament Deepender Hooda attended the Shahidi Football Tournament in Behlba village as the chief guest. He motivated the players and highlighted Haryana’s rich sporting talent, criticizing the BJP government for scrapping the “Padak Lao, Pad Pao” policy introduced under former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s Congress government.
Hooda Criticizes BJP for Ending Sports Promotion Policy
Hooda stated that the “Padak Lao, Pad Pao” policy had inspired Haryana’s youth to pursue sports as a career by offering medal-winning athletes direct appointments to DSP and other prestigious government positions. This policy helped Haryana’s athletes shine on international platforms like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Championships, earning maximum medals for India.
However, Hooda alleged that the BJP government not only dismantled this policy but also deprived medal-winning athletes of their due rights. He also criticized the discontinuation of the Congress-era SPAT (Sports Promotion and Talent) policy, which provided a monthly stipend of ₹1,500–₹2,000 to top-performing school athletes and facilitated stadiums and coaching at the village level. Hooda claimed that athletes now face a shortage of proper sports facilities across the state.
Accusations of Broken Promises by BJP
Hooda accused the BJP government of failing to deliver on key election promises. He pointed out that BJP had promised to regularize HKRN employees, but instead, they are being laid off. He highlighted that sanitation workers haven’t received salaries for months and that many people’s ration cards have been revoked.
He accused the BJP of failing to implement promises such as providing ₹2,100 per month under the Ladli Laxmi scheme, purchasing farmers’ crops at MSP, giving two lakh government jobs to youth, creating five lakh employment opportunities, and providing LPG cylinders at ₹500 under the Grihini scheme. He alleged that farmers are being forced to sell their produce at throwaway prices.
Congress to Push for Accountability
Hooda vowed that the Congress party would act as a strong opposition and hold the BJP government accountable for its unfulfilled promises. He questioned whether BJP had matched Haryana’s salaries with Punjab’s, doubled farmers’ income, implemented Swaminathan Commission recommendations for MSP, or improved women’s safety.
He assured the public that Congress would continue to press the BJP government to fulfill its commitments and support the people of Haryana in addressing their problems. MLA Balram Dangi was also present at the event.
