Chandigarh: Punjab Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Mr. Sadhu Singh Dharamsot today urged Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mr. Thaawar Chand Gehlot for releasing of pending funds of Rs. 1286 crore under Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students without any further delay as large number of students in Punjab were facing grave problems in getting admissions in educational institutes due to delay on part of central government in releasing its share under this scheme.
During meeting with Mr. Gehlot, Punjab Cabinet Minister revealed that center has already delayed in releasing its share of funds to the tune of Rs. 1286 Crore under Post Scholarship Scheme to Punjab. Out of these total pending funds Rs. 719 Crore were of financial year 2016-17 and Rs.567Crore were of financial year 2017-18 and due to delay in releasing these funds a large number of students belonging to the economically weaker sections were facing difficulties in getting admissions in educational institutes. “ I have urged Mr. Gehlot for releasing these funds as early as possible so that problems of the students can be solved on priority. We have already provided the Utility Certificates (UCs) of Rs. 327 Crore funds which were earlier released by the center to Punjab, added Mr. Dharamsot.
Interacting with media after the meeting Mr. Dharamsot said that Mr. Gehlot has assured that the pending funds would be released in the coming month of February.
Criticizing Union State Minister for Social Justice Mr. Vijay Sampla for latter’s statements that the state government has not provided UCs against earlier used funds yet, Punjab Cabinet Minister said that as the state government has already provided the UCs against usage of Rs. 327 crore, Mr. Sampla should check facts with his own office before making such baseless statements. He said that Mr. Sampla should not play politics over such a sensitive issue keeping in mind the concern of a large number of SC students of the state.