Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday batted for making available facilities for cashless transactions at religious places.
He also pitched for offering milk and food items to the deities in packets so that it could be further distributed to the needy people.
His remarks came during a visit to the Mata Mansa Devi Shrine complex near here on the auspicious third day of Chaitra Navratri.
Besides paying obeisance, Khattar performed 'yajna' amid chanting of hymns. Later, he told reporters he had offered prayers for prosperity and success of the people of Haryana.
In reply to a question, he said the facility of cashless transaction should be available at temples and other religious places, whether they are managed by the government or social organisations.
The system of cashless transactions is a new initiative in the country and has found acceptance among the people, he added.
When his attention was drawn towards the appeal made by the Deputy Commissioner of Panchkula to the devotees to offer milk in packets, the chief minister was all praise for the suggestion and said apart from milk, other food items could also be offered in packets so that it could be distributed to the poor and those in need.
To another question, Khattar said the state government has been encouraging women to become entrepreneurs.
Many programmes like 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' and opening of woman police stations have been implemented to empower women, he said.
Later, the chief minister also honoured those who had donated blood during a camp organised by District Red Cross Society in association of Shiv Kavad Mahasangh Charitable Trust and Onkar Dass Mittal Charitable Trust.