Haryana: Sainis demand security for 'weaker sections'

KURUKSHETRA: The birth anniversary of Maharaja Shoorsaini was celebrated in Thanesar town of Kurukshetra on Sunday. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar presided over the state-level function and addressed the gathering of the Saini community, which listed its demands on the occasion.
Four key demands included easing the criteria for the creamy layer and provision of benefits to those with annual income below Rs 8 lakh, construction of a students hostel, library and nursing college in Kurukshetra and clearing the backlog of other backward classes (OBC) quota in government jobs. Before reaching the function venue, Khattar inaugurated a multi-storey building named Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Block, which was built by Saini Samaj Sabha at a cost of around Rs 1 crore.
Khattar said, "In the creamy layer criteria, people with a monthly income of Rs 25,000 will be the first to benefit. If the government still has funds, it could also help those with income of up to Rs 50,000."
On the need to ensure that help is provided to those who are genuinely in need, Khattar said, "The government has fixed a new definition of below poverty line (BPL) residents. Now, people with a monthly income of Rs 15,000 (Rs 1.8 lakh per annum) are included in the BPL category. There are cases of people holding BPL cards living a good life while people who actually need support remain deprived. Therefore, the government has tightened the criteria. If a BPL family has received support from the government, it should try to lift itself out of poverty so that the funds can be used for some other beneficiary."
Radaur MLA Bishan Lal Saini of the Congress also attended the event. "I attended the event of the community at Kurukshetra. Some demands were put forward before the CM and I do not think these will be met," he said.