Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to safeguard the interests of the students from Schedule Caste Community, the SC and BC Welfare Minister Punjab Sadhu Singh Dharmsot today said that students from community should not worry as Punjab government would ensure that the Colleges get their every pending due under the post matric scholarship scheme.Interacting with the media persons here on the sidelines of a mega camp organized under the Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSVY) to provide benefits of pro-people scheme to people at their doorsteps, the Minister said that the future of the students hailing from the community was safe as the process has already been started to release the amount of pending arrears of scholarship. Mr. Dharmsot said that he had himself flagged up this issue a number of times with the Union government adding that all the pending arrears would be cleared by the centre very soon. He said that the students and their parents must not get panicky as the state government was committed to ensure that their future and interests were protected at every cost.Replying to another query, the Minister said that a large number of embezzlements have been detected in the Audit conducted for utilization of post-matric scholarship scheme during the previous SAD-BJP alliance regime.
He said that the report would be tabled soon and every big fish involved in this crime would be put behind the bars. Mr. Dharmsot said that all the perpetrators of the heinous crime of diverting the money meant for welfare of the students belonging to the Schedules Castes would be put brought to the task.Earlier addressing the massive gathering during the mega camp, the Minister said that the camps were a unique effort of the state government to offer a single platform to the people for availing the benefits of the pro-people scheme of the state government. He envisioned that the MGSVY would act as a catalyst in ensuring the holistic development of all sections of society in state. Mr. Dharmsot said that the sole motive of this flagship scheme of state government was to ensure that the needy people could get the benefits of pro-poor schemes of the government.The Minister further said that the state government under visionary and decisive leadership of the Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has taken several path breaking initiatives for the well being of every starta of society. Listing the achievements of state government, he said that state government has already brought debt-relief scheme and fulfilled its promise by waiving off a loan of farmers. Likewise, Mr. Dharmsot said that debt waiver of up to Rs 50,000 each for beneficiaries of Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation and Punjab Backward Classes Land Development & Finance Corporation have also been launched by the state government.
The Minister said that the state government has also enhanced the shagun, pension and other benefits under the social welfare schemes for the people. He also said that the state government has already provided around two lakh jobs under Ghar Ghar Rozgar scheme since its formation during March 2017 adding that more such jobs would be provided in future also. Playing floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, the Minister said that the father of nation played a historic role in providing Independence to India through the principle of non-violence. He said that the people of the country would always remember and follow his message of truth, peace, love, friendship and non –violence. Mr. Dharmsot said the world has recognized the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi of peace, brotherhood and communal harmony adding that each one of us should follow the path shown by this great national leader. Earlier, MLA from Kartarpur assembly segment Chaudhary Surinder Singh lauded the exemplary work being done by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to ensure welfare of every starta of society. On the occasion, Commissioner of Jalandhar Division Mr. B Purusartha and Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma welcomed the Minister. Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Navjot Singh Mahal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jitendra Jorwal, Sub Divisional Magistrate Mr. Paramveer Singh and others.