The Scheduled Caste, Backward Classes & Minority Welfare Minister, Punjab, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot has today demanded the release of Rs. 1259 crore pertaining to various welfare schemes of Punjab by the Union Government from the central pool. After his meeting with the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mr. Thavar Chand Gehlot at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi, S. Dharamsot said that the purpose of his meeting with the Union minister was to press for the speedy release of the balance amount to the tune of Rs. 1259 crore from the central pool concerning various welfare schemes aimed at the development of scheduled castes, backward classes & minorities.Divulging more, S. Dharamsot said that during the year 2016-2017 under the Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC students (9th and 10th) a sum of Rs. 18,42,00000 and as per the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for students engaged in the unclean occupation, a sum of Rs. 48.71 lakh were to be released by the Union Government. Similarly, in respect of 1036929 students covered under Pre-Matric scholarship for OBC students scheme from 2011-12 to the year 2016-17, a sum of Rs. 25,37,00000 (Rs. 248.57 lakh for the year 2011-12, Rs. 543.65 lakh for 2012-13, Rs. 253.19 lakh for 2013-14, Rs. 379.52 lakh for 2014-15, Rs. 577.39 lakh for 2015-16 and Rs. 534.38 lakh for 2016-17) are due from the Union Government.
The minister further revealed that in accordance with the Post-Matric scholarship for SC students, an amount to the tune of Rs. 1,046,47,00000 (Rs. 328.71 crore for 2015-16 and Rs. 717.76 crore for 2016-17) and Rs. 86,41,00000 for Post Matric Scholarship for OBC students scheme is lying with the Union Government. He also disclosed that under Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatravas Yojna, an amount of Rs. 76.33 crore while an amount to the tune of Rs. 5,60,00000 under Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojna is due to be released by the Union Government.Mr. Dharamsot also detailed that the Congress Government is committed to ensure that the benefits of the multitude of welfare schemes reach the SC, BC and Minorities. He also elaborated that the user certificates with regard to the amount released by the Union government so far concerning various welfare centric schemes of Punjab have been sent to the Union Government. He also said that the Union Minister has assured the sooner release of the balance amount. On the occasion, Mr. Dharamsot also met the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr. Vijay Sampla. Among others present on the occasion included Principal Secretary, Welfare Department, Punjab, R. Venkatratnam and Deputy Director, Welfare Department, Punjab, Mr. Jaswinder Singh Gill.