Awareness Camps to be Organized within a Month to aware Public on Departmental Schemes
Rs 137.75 Crore Released to 27,011 Beneficiaries under Ashirwad Scheme
The Minister Reviewed about the proposal to construct new Ambedkar Bhavans in 06 districts
Chandigarh, July 17:
Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Department is set to initiate the recruitment process for District and Tehsil Social Justice and Empowerment Officers, aiming to strengthen its operations. This announcement was made by Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, during a review meeting held at Punjab Bhavan. The officials from the head office and district/tehsil social justice and empowerment officers were present.
During the meeting, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur instructed the officers to organize awareness camps within a month to educate the public on the various schemes run by the department. She highlighted that under the Ashirwad Scheme, In 20 districts Rs 95.36 crore was distributed to 18699 Scheduled Caste beneficiaries, Rs 42.39 crore was distributed to 8312 Backward Class beneficiaries until January 2024 and In total, Rs. 137.75 crore has been distributed to 27011 beneficiaries.
Dr. Kaur also announced that socities will be constructed for maintenance of Dr. B.R Ambedkar Bhawans. Additionally, she directed officials to coordinate with the Additional Deputy Commissioners to take action under the Adarsh Gram Yojana and to submit reports within 15 days after utilizing the outstanding funds under various schemes.
The Minister reviewed critical issues such as the removal of untouchability under the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, compensation to victims under the Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989, the Ashirwad Scheme, the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana. Detailed discussions were held on the construction of Dr. B.R Ambedkar buildings, the Stenography Scheme and tackling fake caste certificates.
Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes ,Minorities and Economically Weaker Sections. She instructed the officers to ensure the benefits of the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme reach Scheduled Caste students, aiming to enhance their social and economic status. The Government’s continuous efforts focus on the holistic development of Scheduled Castes ,Backward Classes ,Minorities and Economically weaker sections in the state.
The Minister directed district officials to submit the reports to the head office within 15 days after spending outstanding funds under various schemes. She also emphasized timely delivery of scheme benefits to the eligible beneficiaries.
The Meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities D.K. Tiwari, Director Amrit Singh, Director-cum-Joint Secretary Raj Bahadur Singh and Deputy Directors Ravinderpal Singh, Harpal Singh, Sukhsagar Singh and Ashish Kathuria and all other District and Tehsil Social Justice and Empowerment Officers from Punjab.
