Give audit reports to get SC grant: Sampla

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 14

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla on Tuesday said no pending grants worth around Rs 800 crore for SC scholarships would be released till Punjab gave the audit report of the earlier released money.

Punjab had ordered an audit last November following reports of misutilistion of grants. Minister for Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Sadhu Singh Dharamsot had earlier this year met Sampla and demanded a release of Rs 1,048 crore for the release of payments under the scheme.

Sampla said it was a matter of concern that a large number of private institutions had not been paid their scholarship amounts. Reacting to a question on the state government finding it difficult to release grants under the revised norms as pointed out by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Sampla said, “These were made by the earlier UPA government. We are only following the rules.”

Sampla said, “We are aware that student enrolment is being shown in more than one institution to avail financial benefits. The audit will point out all the discrepancies. We will never stop any grant for students.”