The Punjab government, under pre matric scholarships being given to the students belonging to the scheduled castes families, has disbursed an amount of Rs. 56.59 crore amongst 2, 66,428 students since 2007-2015.Disclosing this here today the Welfare Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike said that the government was aimed to impart quality education to the economically weaker students especially in the 9th and 10th class students. He said that to facilitate these students a number of schemes have also been initiated by the Government in which the students are being provided financial assistance for education.He further reiterated the resolve of the SAD-BJP Government to raise the educational and health status of all the sections of the society with a view to ensure equality amongst all sections and evolve a healthy society. True to its commitment, the State Government was providing scholarships to all those students of 9th and 10th class belonging to the scheduled castes families provided they are the permanent resident of Punjab with annual family income not more than Rs. 2 lakh.The Minister has also directed all the district welfare officers of the state to ensure proper disbursement of the scholarship amount so that it could timely be given to the students.