The Social Justice, Empowerment and Minority Welfare Minister, Punjab, Mr. Sadhu Singh Dharamsot today said that the Union Government would be approached with regard to removing obstacles in implementing the various welfare schemes being run through mutual cooperation by the Union and the State Governments.In a review meeting here at Punjab Bhawan with the higher ups, District and Tehsil level officers of the departments, Mr. Dharamsot said that the running of SC/BC welfare schemes can only be justified if the benefits therein reach the concerned people especially those belonging to the economically weaker sections who can drastically change their lives with the benefits. The minister further said that there are some implications being faced in the matter of implementing the pre and post matric scholarship schemes and the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment would be approached with a view to resolve these.Mr. Dharamsot also elaborated that the amount of Rs. 34.46 crore being given as ‘Shagan’ under the Aashirwad scheme on the occasion of marriage of the girls hailing from the SC and BC category families, would be released soon.
He also said that with the releasing of this amount all the cases of the Aashirwad scheme till June, 2018 would be cleared. Adding more, he said that along with the amount given under Aashirwad scheme, a signed message extending congratulations by the Chief Minister would also be given. He also gave directions for the preparation of the reports regarding vacant positions within 15 days.The minister while emphasizing the increased coordination with the various departments in order to ensure benefits accruing at the grassroots level, said that all the welfare schemes must be given wide publicity through newspapers and other channels of media so as to bring awareness among the common folks with regard to the welfare schemes.Among others present on the occasion included Additional Chief Secretary, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minority department Mr. Roshan Sunkaria, Joint Director Administration Mrs. Swaranjit Kaur, Joint Secretary & Director SC Sub-Plan Mr. Raj Bahadur Singh, Additional Director Mrs. Bindu Walia and all the District Social Justice, Empowerment and Minority Welfare Officers as well as officers associated with the tehsils.