Conduct caste census in Haryana, says Bhupinder Hooda

Chandigarh, July 14

Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda today demanded that a caste census should be carried out in the state to identify backward communities.

On the formation of the new Backward Classes Commission, Hooda said in the terms of reference, the caste census was missing. “The caste census should be carried out to identify those who are backward and how you will give benefits,” he said. He also pointed out that the SC Commission had not been formed yet.

“The government is continuously issuing decrees against Dalits and people of backward classes. The purpose of reducing the annual income limit of creamy layer from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 6 lakh is to deprive the backward classes of reservation. After this decision, now a peon’s child will also be deprived of reservation,” he said.

Holding a press conference, he said the state was under a debt of Rs 3,24,448 crore. “Our demand is that a White Paper should be brought on state’s finances. Why have such loans been taken and where have these been spent?” he questioned.

On the new campus of the National Institute of Fashion Technology at Panchkula, he said it was approved during his tenure and expressed surprise that the present government took eight years for the construction.

Responding to a question on a separate Haryana Legislative Assembly, Hooda said the coalition government was trying to weaken the state’s claim on Chandigarh. “The government has agreed to pay Rs 550 crore to the Centre for 10 acres of land in its own state capital even though Punjab and Haryana have a 60:40 right over Chandigarh. If the Assembly building is falling short, then the building should be expanded along with the existing Assembly rather than having a separate building altogether,” he stated.