The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is fully committed to ensuring that no injustice is done to the poor and marginalized sections of society. This was stated by Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur while presiding over a high-level meeting at Punjab Bhawan today.
Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that one of the state government’s foremost priorities is the effective implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act at the grassroots level, so that victims receive timely and fair justice. During the meeting, various departments and the police presented detailed reports on the work done so far. Participating MLAs and officials also shared valuable suggestions, which will be incorporated into future action plans.
Members of the High-Power Committee and MLAs lauded Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur for ensuring uninterrupted benefits to eligible Scheduled Caste students under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme. They said this initiative marks a significant step towards the welfare and empowerment of SC students in the state.
Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that in the current year, the state government has set a target of covering 2.7 lakh SC students under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, with adequate budgetary provisions already in place. The meeting also reviewed multiple issues, including the district-wise implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, functioning of district-level vigilance and monitoring committees, progress of welfare schemes for SCs, STs and other marginalized communities, coordination among law enforcement agencies, Social Justice Department and district administrations, legal aid to victims, compensation and rehabilitation measures, as well as financial support and budgetary allocations.
Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that the Punjab Government is committed to ensuring that every citizen lives with dignity and security. The High-Power Vigilance and Monitoring Committee constantly oversees the effective implementation of the SC/ST Act at the ground level. She stressed that social justice is not limited to legal safeguards, but also extends to education, employment, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
The Minister directed officials to hold regular district-level review meetings and prepare time-bound reports. She also underlined the need to expedite pending court cases under the Act to ensure swift justice. Reaffirming the government’s resolve, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that wherever shortcomings are identified, the state will take every possible step to address them, so that the Act is implemented in its true spirit. She thanked the MLAs and officials present in the meeting for extending their full cooperation to the state government in ensuring effective enforcement of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Among those present at the meeting included MLAs Principal Budh Ram, Dr Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi, Dr Charanjit Singh, Hakim Singh, Jeevan Singh Sanghowal, Manjit Singh Bilaspur, Kulwant Singh Pandori, Sukhwinder Singh Kotli, along with Shri V.K. Meena, IAS, Principal Secretary, Social Justice; Shri Ravinder Singh, IAS, Additional Secretary, Social Justice; Smt. Vimmi Bhullar, IAS, Director, Social Justice; Shri G.S. Sahota, IAS, Executive Director, Backfinco; Shri Gurpreet Singh Khaira, IAS; Shri Naveen Saini, IPS, DIG (Crime); Shri Parminder Singh, Director, National Commission for SC; Smt. Surinderjit Kaur, AIG; Shri Raj Bahadur Singh, Joint Secretary, Social Justice; as well as senior officers from the Home and Finance Departments.