— Event held on 136th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar; laptops and sewing machines distributed, volleyball ground inaugurated, loan distribution camp announced
Push to sports infrastructure: Playgrounds and mini parks being developed to encourage youth towards sports: Dr. Baljit Kaur
Chandigarh/Sri Muktsar Sahib, April 24:
In a significant initiative to promote self-reliance and generate self-employment opportunities among Scheduled Caste youth, the Punjab Government has distributed tool kits to 351 ITI trainees across multiple districts.
Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the State Government remains committed to improving the socio-economic conditions of Scheduled Castes by enabling them to start their own ventures and sustain their families with dignity.
Highlighting the broader vision, she said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is dedicated to the welfare of all sections of society and is consistently implementing impactful measures to empower Scheduled Castes. She added that various welfare schemes are focused on equipping beneficiaries with the means for sustainable self-employment.
The Minister informed that the tool kits were distributed during a district-level function organised by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities at Malout on the occasion of the 136th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Paying tribute to Baba Sahib, she emphasized the need to uphold his ideals. She noted that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar not only safeguarded the rights of Scheduled Castes and backward classes but also played a transformative role in uplifting women and ensuring gender equality. “Following his path is the true tribute to his legacy,” she added.
Providing details, she said that the beneficiaries included 351 trainees from 9 ITIs across Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur and Fazilka districts. Tool kits related to trades such as Electrician, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, and Plumber were distributed to 82 trainees from Sri Muktsar Sahib, 64 from Bathinda, 67 from Faridkot, 87 from Fazilka and 51 from Ferozepur, enabling them to take up self-employment.
On the occasion, laptops were also distributed to school-going girls, while sewing machines were provided to needy beneficiaries. The Minister further announced that a loan distribution camp will soon be organised to support Scheduled Caste beneficiaries in starting their own businesses.
During her visit, Dr. Baljit Kaur also inaugurated a newly constructed volleyball ground at Malout. She said that the development of playgrounds and mini parks is being undertaken to create a healthy and vibrant environment in both urban and rural areas. These initiatives will motivate youth to actively participate in sports and stay away from social evils such as drug abuse.
She further informed that sports stadiums are being developed in 24 villages of the constituency. Notably, the volleyball ground at Malout has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh from the Minister’s discretionary fund through the Panchayati Raj Department.
On the occasion, besides others, Shri Jashan Brar, Chairman, Market Committee Malout, Jagmohan Singh Mann, Gurmeet Singh Brar, District Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Officer, and other prominent persons of the area were present.
