Punjab Vidhan Sabha panel reviews welfare schemes meant for SCs, STs, OBCs

Amritsar, February 13

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Welfare Committee for Minorities examined various schemes meant for the people belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Class (OBC) during their visit to the city here on Tuesday. The committee members also reviewed the ongoing schemes for the welfare of the SCs, STs and OBC people. Besides, they also met administrative and police officials.

During a meeting with district officials, committee members Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, Chairperson of the committee, Amit Ratan Kotfatta, Dalbir Singh Tong, Jagsir Singh, Jasbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Nachhatarpal reviewed various welfare schemes being run for the SC category people. They also instructed the police officers to act swiftly on the complaint of victims under the SC Act.

They said it came to the notice of the committee that often victims are discouraged from filing a complaint under the Act, and taking advantage of the delay, the alleged guilty party resigns under pressure, denying justice to the victim party. They also sought the details of all the pending complaints and those rejected by the police under the Act.

Regarding the fee of SC students in colleges, the committee chairperson clarified that the fee of SC category children was being given by the government and no private college has the right to demand fee from children belonging to the category. She instructed the university authorities to take strict action against those who mistreat SC children in a college.

The committee leaders made it clear that all departments should keep their roster registers complete to take appropriate action for recruitment and promotion on the reserved seats of SC and BC category quota and only after getting this register verified by the District Social Security Officer, recruitment or promotion should be done.

The committee members instructed to take immediate action on the issue of inter-caste marriages and give due benefits to the couple. The chairperson of the committee while talking about the installation of transformers, wires and meter boxes in front of the poor houses by the electricity department, said in such cases if the approach to the house was being obstructed then its location should be changed.

On the occasion, the committee discussed the details of the certificates made for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Class children, compensation given by the Revenue Department, stipends given to sportspersons, progress of Ayushman cards, employment under MGNREGA and grants given to SC Panchayats.

DC Ghanshyam Thori assured the visiting committee members that no stone would be left unturned for the welfare of SC, ST and OBC categories in the district. ADC Paramjit Kaur and officials from other departments were also present.