Under the Pre-Matric scholarships for Scheduled Caste students,
The Punjab Government has disbursed an amount of Rs 56.59 crores between 2007 and 2015.
Punjab Welfare Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike has said that 2, 66,428 students have got the benefit of the scheme during the said period.
He said the Government aims to impart quality education to the economically weaker students especially in the 9th and 10th class students.
He said that to facilitate these students a number of schemes have also been initiated by the Government in which the students are being provided financial assistance for education.
He further reiterated the resolve of the SAD-BJP Government to raise the educational and health status of all the sections of the society with a view to ensure equality amongst all sections and evolve a healthy society. True to its commitment, the State Government was providing scholarships to all those students of 9th and 10th class belonging to the scheduled castes families provided they are the permanent resident of Punjab with annual family income not more than Rs 2 lakh, said he.
The Minister has also directed all the district welfare officers of the state to ensure proper disbursement of the scholarship amount so that it could timely be given to the students.