The Punjab Government has sought financial assistance from the Centre to establish drug de-addiction centres, besides inclusion of the State in Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojna (PMAGY).
The demands were put forward by the Ministers concerned during the review meeting regarding the implementation of Centrally-sponsored schemes in Punjab. Newly-appointed Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla held the meeting with the Ministers and senior officers of the Department of Welfare and Social Security from Punjab and Haryana.
Punjab Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Social Security and Development of Women and Children Surjit Kumar Jayani urged the Central Minister to grant financial assistance for establishing drug-de-addiction centers in the State.
He demanded release of Rs3.50 crore as “special central assistance” for the construction of ramps, lifts and other facilities at the Regional Spinal Injury Centre in SAS Nagar.
Jayani also requested that funds in respect of the proposals regarding financial assistance to NGOs and other centrally sponsored schemes pending with the Centre may be released well in time.
Punjab Welfare Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike informed Sampla regarding the centrally sponsored schemes being implemented in the state.
Ranike also drew Minister’s attention towards PMAGY which has been recently launched on pilot basis. He stressed that despite having largest percentage of SC “population, Punjab has not been covered under this scheme and requested for inclusion of Punjab in the scheme on priority basis”.
He informed that the offices, corporations etc relating to the Welfare Department are staggered at various locations because of which general public has to face a lot of inconvenience to avail of the welfare services. “To provide a single-window facility to the common man, the Department proposes to construct ‘Welfare Bhawan’ at the cost of Rs22 crore on one acre land allotted by PUDA at SAS Nagar,” he said.
In this regard, the Welfare Minister requested Sampla to provide special financial assistance to the extent of 50 per cent of the proposed cost out of SCA.
Ranike also highlighted the need for setting up a Centre on the pattern of Ambedkar Institute of Career and Courses, SAS Nagar, in border districts of the state for the benefit of SC students of remote areas.
He also pointed drew attention towards the need to revise conditions for BPl beneficiaries so that maximum number of SC population in Punjab can avail of the centrally sponsored schemes.
Ranike requested that the process of releasing first installment of Rs25.65 crore as Special Central Assistance under Schedule Caste Sub Plan for 2014-15, and approving proposals regarding centrally sponsored schemes sent to Centre may be expedited.
Sampla, addressing all participants, assured that special care shall be taken to serve the interests of Punjab. He also directed the officers to ensure implementation of welfare schemes sincerely, honestly and with full dedication so that benefits reach the beneficiaries.