Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday ordered the Finance Department to immediately release Rs. 118.42 Crores to clear the backlog of pending scholarship funds for SC students studying in 634 colleges.The backlog pertains to fiscals 2015-16 and 2016-17, said an official spokesperson after the Chief Minister announced his decision following his meeting with Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, along with MLA Jalandhar West Sushil Kumar Rinku.Giving the break-up, the spokesperson said that of Rs. 118.42 Crores, Rs. 67.42 Crores would be released for SC students studying in 312 colleges including degree colleges, technical and medical education institutes. The remaining Rs. 51 Crores would go to students of 322 colleges in the same streams, as well as students of School Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT) institutes.Reiterating state government’s firm commitment to ensure the welfare of SC students, the Chief Minister also directed the Finance Department to accord top priority to release of regular funds for the scholarship beneficiaries so as to enable them to complete their education in different streams seamlessly.