Haryana grants land rights to 1 lakh Prajapati families

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday called upon members of the Prajapati community to strengthen their traditional pottery craft by embracing modern technology and aligning their products with market demand. He urged them to adopt new techniques, avail government schemes, and enhance the quality and appeal of their creations.

The chief minister was speaking at a state-level function in Kurukshetra, where land entitlement certificates were distributed to Prajapati families. He personally handed over certificates to beneficiaries, while similar events were held simultaneously in all 22 districts.

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This historic initiative benefited around one lakh families across 1,700 villages, granting them collective legal rights for soil excavation under the Gram Shamlat Bhumi Niyamawali, 1964.

“These certificates will not only give the Prajapati community legal authority to carry out their work without hindrance but will also help them give new direction to their art, fulfil their aspirations, and manufacture products locally,” the Chief Minister said.

This fulfils the commitment made by Mr. Saini during the Daksh Prajapati Jayanti celebrations in Bhiwani on July 13 — in just one month — demonstrating the government’s resolve to match words with action.

Describing the Prajapati community as hardworking, honest, and highly skilled, Saini noted that the art of making earthen pots has been a vital part of India’s cultural heritage. However, over time, this craft did not receive the respect, opportunities, or resources needed to connect future generations to it.

The chief minister alleged that during Congress rule, land meant for the Prajapati community’s work was encroached upon, and ill-conceived policies disrupted their livelihood. “In every village, there was adequate land for sourcing soil, but instead of protecting it, the previous government carved out plots from the very land where the community earned its living,” he said.

In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” Saini said the government’s goal is not merely to provide land but to create an ecosystem for the community’s skills to flourish. He highlighted the establishment of the Mati Kala Board to promote artisans, incentives for pottery and clay art, and an increase in the creamy layer income limit for backward classes from ₹6 lakh to ₹8 lakh.

Saini urged citizens to join the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign by planting and nurturing a tree on every important occasion and to actively support the Prime Minister’s Swachhata Abhiyan. He said that over one lakh families have already been given houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with the pace of the scheme set to increase.