Chandigarh: Gangster threats have prompted Haryana to provide security cover to 396 people, including 338 businessmen and 25 public representatives, from Jan 1, 2025, to July 31 this year, the state govt told the vidhan sabha on the concluding day of the monsoon session on Tuesday.In a written reply to an unstarred question by Congress MLA Pooja (Mullana), chief minister Nayab Singh Saini said 691 security personnel had been provided to the 396 persons during the period.Businessmen account for nearly 85% of all those given protection, while public representatives constitute 25 of the beneficiaries, and another 33 fall under “other categories”.The govt, however, refused to disclose the identities, designations or district-wise details, citing security considerations. The CM said revealing details of the persons concerned could pose a threat to their safety.The reply showed that the security burden was overwhelmingly borne by the state exchequer. Of the 396 beneficiaries, 366 were provided security entirely at govt expense, while 20 received security on a payment basis. For the remaining 10, the cost was shared between the govt and the beneficiaries.With 691 personnel deployed for 396 beneficiaries, the govt data translates into an average of around 1.75 security personnel per person over the period, though the reply does not provide individual-wise deployment details.The question had specifically sought details of businessmen, public representatives and officers who were provided security because of threats from gangsters, along with district-wise particulars, names and designations, number of personnel assigned to each and whether the protection was funded by the government or paid for by the beneficiary.SECURITY COVER396 | Persons provided security691 | Security personnel deployed338 | Businessmen25 | Public representatives33 | Other categories366 | Security fully funded by govt20 | Security provided on payment basis10 | Partly govt-funded, partly paid
