Jalandhar(Wishav Warta): Asserting that embezzlement worth nearly Rs 58 crore have been so far found in utilization of post-matric scholarship scheme so far, the Forest Minister Punjab Sadhu Singh Dharmsot today said that every big fishes would be behind the bar after the completion of ongoing audit on December 31.
Interacting with the media persons here at the local Circuit House, the Minister said that during so far audit of about 249 educational institutions have been completed and the remaining ones would be completed by December 31. He 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 behind thebars. Dharmsot said that so far two employees have been suspended and departmental action has been started against three senior officers of the department.
The Minister categorically said that Union Minister for Social Justice Vijay Sampla was deliberately misleading people on the issue of post matric scholarship scheme. He said that the state government would disburse Rs 115 crore under the scheme after the completion of the ongoing audit. Dharmsot warned the educational institutions that serious action would be taken against them if any SC student was denied admission on the pretext of post matric scholarship scheme.
The Minister revealed that around 5000 acre of prime Forest land has been encroached by the Akali leadership during the last one decade of their misrule. He said that the state government led by Captain Amarinder Singh has initiated steps to vacate this land. Dhamrsot said that a few days back 325 acres of prime forest land was got vacated by the Forest department in Ludhiana.
The Minister said that massive steps have been taken by the state government regarding aforestation adding that in the current year 2 crore saplings have been planted by the department. He said that more efforts were afoot to enhance the forest cover in the state by initiating a massive plantation drive in the state.
On the announcement made by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh regarding rerun in year 2022 polls, the Minister said that every Punjabi wants the Chief Minister to lead the state. He said that Captain’s popularity extends over every section of society and every Punjabi today feel proud that the state was being headed by a person who has always secured the interests of state and its people.