Rs 2,113 crore allocated for welfare of SC/BC in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: Punjab government has allocated a dedicated fund of Rs 2,113.09 crore for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and other economic weaker sections of the society.

Besides, it has also issued strict directions to various authorities for speedy and proper implementation of SC sub plan and welfare schemes in the state.

The government has decided to include backward classes and economically weaker sections of the society in the ongoing 'Shagun' scheme so that more and more beneficiaries could be covered and benefited under this scheme, Minister for welfare of SCs/BCs, Gulzar Singh Ranike, said today.

The state government had been providing Rs 15,000 financial help as 'shagun' to the girls belonging to SCs/BCs, Christians and economically-weaker families of other communities, he said.

The Minister asserted that the SAD-BJP government was committed for the speedy and proper implementation of welfare schemes and no carelessness would be tolerated in this regard.

He directed the officers concerned to take up the pending cases of 2009-10 and 2010-11 in the current financial year.