CHANDIGARH: Punjab Government by coming up with the new SC Scholarship Scheme has safeguarded the future of students belonging to scheduled castes. State Government has saved the interests of needy students after centre had arbitrarily backtracked from its responsibility, the Minister added.
The new BR Ambedkar SC Scholarship Scheme would be implemented from 2020-21 Session.
Disclosing this in a press communication, Dharmsot said that through this scheme, SC students would be able to attain unrestricted education from both Government and private institutions. State Government has also enhanced qualifying income limit of 2.5 Lakh to 4 Lakh now, to ensure spread of education to most number of students and families.
This scheme would benefit SC students with Punjab domicile and those students who passed matriculation from Punjab (including Chandigarh). The scheme would entail financial burden of Rs 600 Crores to the state, he added. Out of this state government would contribute 60% to private institutions.
Our Constitution has granted 25% reservation to SC students but owing to higher fees they are at times unable to continue their education. Private institutions were refusing admission to these students earlier, he said adding that now this financial load had been overtaken by state government.
Advising SAD and AAP to go to Delhi and protest against Central Government, Dharamsot said that opposition parties need to understand that who is working to safeguard Punjab's interests. Opposition must first understand the issues, else it exposes them only for indulging in politicking. He said state government is doing exemplary work to uplift every section of society.