Punjab Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Sadhu Singh Dharamsot on Thursday urged Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot for releasing pending funds of Rs. 1286 crore under Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students without delay.
He said a large number of students in Punjab were facing grave problems in getting admissions in educational institutes due to delay on part of central government in releasing its share under this scheme.
During a meeting with Gehlot, the Punjab Minister said that center has already delayed in releasing its share of funds to the tune of Rs. 1286 Crore under Post Scholarship Scheme to Punjab.
Out of these total pending funds Rs. 719 Crore were of financial year 2016-17 and Rs. 567Crore were of financial year 2017-18 and due to delay in releasing these funds a large number of students belonging to the economically weaker sections were facing difficulties in getting admissions in educational institutes.
He said he had urged Gehlot for releasing these funds as early as possible so that problems of the students can be solved on priority. We have already provided the Utility Certificates ( UCs) of Rs. 327 Crore funds which were earlier released by the center to Punjab, added Dharamsot.
Later, talking to reporters after the meeting, Dharamsot said that the Union Minister has assured that the pending funds would be released in the coming month of February.