Immediate Release of ₹583 Crore Pending Funds for Scheduled Castes in Punjab
-Dr. Baljit Kaur Urges Centre to Enhance Welfare Schemes for Scheduled Castes in Punjab
Chandigarh, February 9:
During a high-level meeting in Delhi with the Union Minister and ministers from various states and union territories, Punjab Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stressed the need for targeted policy reforms to improve welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes in Punjab. Emphasizing the unique challenges faced by the state—with nearly 32% of its population belonging to Scheduled Castes—she called on the Government of India to address these issues through strategic enhancements and prompt financial support.
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Key Demands and Proposals:
- Increased Funding for Village Projects:
Dr. Kaur recommended raising the gap-funding allocation under the Adarsh Gram Yojana from the current ₹20 lakh per project to at least ₹1 crore. This increase is deemed essential to support comprehensive infrastructure development, particularly for constructing vital road networks. - Dedicated Technical Units and Higher Administrative Charges:
Highlighting the administrative challenges caused by the Social Justice Department’s reliance on the Rural Development Department, she proposed the establishment of dedicated technical units at both the district and state levels. To fund these units effectively, she urged an increase in administrative charges from 4% to 10%. - State Autonomy in Project Selection:
Dr. Kaur called for greater autonomy for states in choosing villages for development projects, allowing for more locally tailored and need-based initiatives. She also suggested that the scope of infrastructure projects be broadened and that administrative charges be released in advance to enable timely preparations. - Flexibility in Skill Development Funding:
Addressing delays in skill development projects, Dr. Kaur pointed out that the requirement to utilize 75% of the previous installment before new funds are disbursed is causing setbacks, particularly during election periods. She requested a relaxation of this condition to facilitate smoother project implementation. - Enhanced Financial Assistance for Beneficiaries:
Dr. Kaur urged that the financial aid provided to beneficiaries be increased from ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000, noting that the current amount is insufficient compared to similar schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Employment Generation Scheme. Moreover, she recommended that this assistance be decoupled from any loan component, as many beneficiaries belong to economically vulnerable sections lacking collateral.
Financial Shortfall and Urgent Funding Release:
Dr. Kaur highlighted a significant financial gap in the current scheme: although 3,293 villages were earmarked with a total requirement of ₹684 crore, only ₹61 crore has been received from the Centre so far—₹40 crore of which was received just two months ago. This shortfall has restricted development to only 365 villages, leaving a pending fund of ₹583 crore. She strongly urged the Government of India to release these pending funds immediately to ensure the timely completion of the ongoing projects.
In closing, Dr. Baljit Kaur expressed confidence that the Centre will give due consideration to these demands, paving the way for more inclusive and effective welfare measures for Punjab’s Scheduled Castes community. She reaffirmed that the Punjab Government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, remains fully committed to uplifting marginalized sections of society through sustained and focused development efforts.
