The Punjab Government on Thursday asked the Central Government to release the balance amount of Rs 1,269 crore, from its share, pertaining to various welfare schemes of the State.
The demand was made by State Scheduled Caste, Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot during his meeting with the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Thavar Chand Gehlot at New Delhi.
Dharamsot said that the purpose of the meeting was to press for the speedy release of the balance amount of Rs 1,269 crore from the central pool concerning various welfare schemes aimed at the development of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and minorities.
During 2016-2017 under the Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC students, Rs 1,842.11 lakh and as per the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for students engaged in the unclean occupation, a sum of Rs 48.71 lakh were to be released by the Centre, he said.
Similarly, in respect of Pre-Matric scholarship for OBC students scheme from 2011-12 to the year 2016-17, a sum of Rs 2,800 lakh are due from the Union Government.
The Minister revealed that in accordance with the Post-Matric Scholarship for SC students, an amount to the tune of Rs 1,046.47 crore and Rs 8,469 lakh of the Post Matric Scholarship for OBC students scheme is lying with the Centre.
He added that under Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatravas Yojna, an amount of Rs 7,633.09 crore while an amount to the tune of Rs 5.60 lakh under Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojna is due to be released by the Central Government.
Dharamsot said that the Congress Government is committed to ensure that the benefits of the multitude of welfare schemes reach the SC, BC and minorities.
“The user certificates with regard to the amount released by the Centre so far concerning various welfare centric schemes of Punjab have been sent to the Union Government. The Union Minister has assured the sooner release of the balance amount,” he added.