Keeping the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs), backward classes (BCs) and minorities on top of its agenda, Punjab Government has earmarked Rs819 crore in this fiscal for the welfare schemes of the downtrodden community.
The outlay has been increased from Rs596 crore in 2013-14 to Rs819 crore in 2014-15, which is 37.42 per cent higher than the previous year.
“Rs255 crore would be spent on the development of Scheduled Castes including scholarships to SC students. Besides, Rs278 would be incurred on multi-sectoral development programmes for minorities including scholarships to minority and infrastructure development of minority concentration blocks,” said the spokesperson.
Similarly, Rs90 crore has been set aside for Shagun scheme to SC, BC, Christian girls, widows, divorcee and daughters of widows of any caste at the time of their marriage.
He said that Rs10 crore would be incurred for vocational training in ITIs for SC students.
Spokesperson said that out of the annual plan 2014-15, Rs75.40 crore is being spent for the development of backward classes including scholarships to BC students. “Punjab would provide houses to homeless SCs in rural and urban areas and Rs10 crore fund has been created for this purpose,” he said.