The erstwhile SAD-BJP Government in Punjab may find itself in trouble for not having disbursed funds under the Shagun scheme, which supports the financially poor to marry off their daughters.
Compensation amounting to as much as Rs 28 crore under the SAD-BJP Government’s ambitious scheme is pending for distribution since December till February.
The Congress Government, which has already decided to issue a white paper on the State’s fiscal health along with conducting third-party audit and reviewing major decisions by the previous Government, is now planning to look into the non-release of such huge amount under the scheme.
It has been learnt that the State’s Welfare Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot has suggested to conduct a probe into the same, especially on the reasons why the funds were not distributed.
Besides conducting a probe into the non-release of funds under Shagun scheme during the previous Akali-BJP Government, a special inquiry was also recommended into the Shagun scheme and other welfare schemes wherein funds were used in the constituencies of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son and SAD president Sukhbir Badal, former Ministers Bikram Singh Majithia, Janmeja Singh Sekhon and Gulzar Singh Ranike.
“A huge amount was lying pending to be given to the beneficiaries under the scheme since December…the Government was getting funds, and it is believed that the funds were diverted towards other purposes,” a senior Government functionary told The Pioneer.
The Government official said that there is a consensus among the top-rung officers of the department and the Minister that the previous Government had diverted these funds for other purposes, especially sangat darshans.
“We are planning to conduct a detailed inquiry into the reasons for large number of pendency and the diversion of funds.
“Strict action would be initiated against any officer found in the wrong after inquiry,” added the official.
Under the scheme, Rs 15,000 is given by the state government to the girls from the dalit and minority communities, including Christians, at the time of their marriage, while the same amount is also given at the time of remarriage of widows or divorcee.
Ruing over the poor fiscal health and empty coffers it inherited from the SAD-BJP combine Government, the Congress Government assured that all funds would be released under Shagun and other welfare schemes after budget.
“The budget will be presented in the month of June, and all pending funds would be allocated after that.
“Besides, Government would stand by its promise to give Rs 51,000 to the girls under the scheme, instead of previous Rs 15,000,” said the official.
Congress party, in its election manifesto for 2017 polls, had promised to enhance compensation under Shagun scheme from Rs 15,000 to Rs 51,000.
Also widening the scope of the scheme, the Congress Government has also decided to include Muslim girls of the State under the Shagun scheme.