Government committed to upliftment of every section with the goal of Antyodaya: CM Nayab Singh Saini

Chandigarh, March 20 – Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the Nayak community has been a symbol of hard work, honesty, and social harmony for centuries. The community has maintained its identity and culture even in the most difficult circumstances.
The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering during a programme at Sant Kabir Kutir in Chandigarh on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Sri Guru Ladhunath Ji Maharaj, organized under the Sant Mahapurush Samman evam Vichar Prasar Yojana.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister paid floral tribute to the statue of Sant Shiromani Sri Ladhunath Maharaj Ji. Public Health Engineering and Public Works Minister Ranbir Gangwa was also present with him. The Chief Minister was welcomed and honoured by members of the Nayak community with a turban and a memento.

Extending greetings on Navratri and the birth anniversary of Sant Ladhunath Maharaj Ji, the Chief Minister said that the occasion is a celebration of our cultural values, spiritual heritage, and social unity. His life is a source of inspiration for all. He was a guiding light who showed society the path of truth, service, and dedication, and devoted his entire life to the service of humanity.

The Chief Minister said that Sant Ladhunath Maharaj Ji made tireless efforts to eradicate social evils, discrimination, and ignorance. He believed that “service to humanity is the true service to God.” He strongly opposed killing of living beings and spread awareness against it. He further said that Sant Ladhunath Maharaj Ji attained samadhi at the age of 47 in Masuri village of Bikaner district. He continues to live in the collective consciousness of society. A fair held every year in his memory in this village reflects the devotion of people and is considered the third largest fair in Rajasthan.

Nayab Singh Saini said that the Nayak community has a glorious history filled with bravery, sacrifice, and struggle. The community actively participated in the freedom struggle against the British.

The bravery of tribal warrior Bhima Nayak of Nimar, Budhu Bhagat, leader of the Kol rebellion, and Narsa Nayak, a warrior of the Vijayanagara Empire in South India, is still remembered in folklore. In Haryana, there is evidence of the active role of the Nayak community in many revolutionary events in Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, and Hansi. He appreciated the community for spreading the teachings of Sant Ladhunath Maharaj Ji among the masses.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi included many backward castes in the Scheduled Castes list, enabling these sections to benefit from welfare measures and move ahead on the path of progress. The goal of the double engine government is Antyodaya—uplifting those who are at the last mile, regardless of their region, caste, or community. The government is committed to ensuring that all sections progress and receive equal rights. “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” is the core principle of the state government’s policies.

He said that saints, sages, seers, and spiritual leaders like Sant Ladhunath Ji have shown the right path to humanity. Their teachings are a heritage for all mankind, and it is our collective responsibility to preserve them.

He urged the gathering to take a pledge to follow the path of service, dedication, and goodwill, and work together to make Haryana a leading state in the country.

The Chief Minister said that the government has constituted the Haryana State Scheduled Castes Commission for the welfare and protection of rights of Scheduled Castes. He added that 20 percent reservation has been provided to Scheduled Castes in Group A and B posts.

He said that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 1.56 lakh houses have been provided to the poor to fulfil the dream of owning a house. Additionally, more than 27,000 plots have been allotted to poor families in urban and rural areas under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana. Ownership rights have also been given to people occupying houses up to 500 square yards on Panchayat land in villages.

Referring to various schemes, he said that under the Dr BR Ambedkar Awas Navinikarn Yojana, financial assistance of Rs. 80,000 is being provided for house repairs to Scheduled Castes, Denotified Castes, and Tapriwas communities living below the poverty line. So far, Rs. 416 crore has been disbursed to 76,985 beneficiaries under this scheme.

He said that illness does not differentiate between rich and poor, and therefore the government has ensured that no poor person is deprived of treatment due to lack of money. Under the Ayushman Bharat–Chirayu Yojana, free treatment up to Rs. 5 lakh is provided. So far, 27 lakh people have availed treatment under this scheme.

He said that both the state and central governments are committed to the welfare and upliftment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes.

Highlighting educational support schemes, he said that meritorious Scheduled Caste students scoring 90 percent or above in Class 12 are given a one-time cash incentive of Rs. 1.11 lakh per student. So far, 570 students have received Rs. 6.33 crore under this scheme.

Under the cash award and monthly scholarship scheme, Rs. 95.76 crore has been provided to 2,56,968 Scheduled Caste students studying in Classes 9 to 12. Additionally, Rs. 9.99 crore has been given as scholarships to 58,817 BPL students studying in Classes 9 to 12.

He said that free bicycles have been distributed to 9,090 Scheduled Caste students studying in Classes 9 to 11 in government schools at a cost of Rs. 3 crore. Further, Rs. 10.80 crore has been reimbursed as board examination fees to 1,01,069 Scheduled Caste students. Under the one-time allowance scheme, Rs. 44.18 crore has been given to 4,02,062 Scheduled Caste students from Classes 1 to 8.

He added that under the Mukhyamantri Vivah Shagun Yojana, financial assistance of up to Rs. 71,000 has been provided for the marriage of 2.60 lakh daughters of poor Scheduled Caste families.

Government stands with the underprivileged: Gangwa

During the programme, Public Health Engineering and Public Works Minister Ranbir Gangwa said that for the first time, a government has taken the initiative to celebrate the birth anniversaries of great saints at the official level, and it has been done by the BJP government. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for organizing the birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Sri Guru Ladhunath Ji Maharaj at Sant Kabir Kutir under the Sant Mahapurush Samman evam Vichar Prasar Yojana.

Gangwa said that Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is a leader who takes all sections of society along and ensures prompt redressal of issues. Referring to problems faced by people in obtaining certificates, he assured that strict instructions have been issued by the Chief Minister that no official will delay such work.

He said that the present state and central governments are working for every section of society and stand firmly with the underprivileged.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister’s OSD B.B. Bharti, patron of Sant Ladhunath Education Trust  Jagdish Nayak, President Ashok Majra, district president of Mazdoor Sangh and councillor  Gyan Singh, Sant Krishnanath Chandpura, Sultan Singh,  Rajesh Kumar, state president of Akhil Bharatiya Nayak Sabha  Harbhagwan Singh, along with several other dignitaries from the Nayak, Hedi, Aheria, and Thori communities were present.