Punjab minister warns against misuse of SC grants

Punjab minister Sadhu Dingh Dharmsot today said misuse even of a single penny in the welfare grants meant for Scheduled Caste and Backward Caste people would not be tolerated by the state government.
Dharmsot, who was chairing a high-level meeting of the District Welfare Officers from all the districts here, said the Punjab government has initiated various schemes for the welfare of the SC/BC and other minorities.
He said it is the prime duty of the officers to confer the benefits of these schemes to the needy in transparent manner.
He issued a warning that misuse of the welfare grant would not be tolerated at any cost.

He said with the motive of time-bound disbursement and to bring about transparency in the Pre-Martic and Post-Matric scholarship scheme, the department would henceforth receive only those applications submitted online.
He said scrutiny of all the applicants received for scholarship would be done at the level of Tehsil Welfare Officer and the next step would be taken as per the report submitted by them.

Dharmsot asked the officers to ensure that the SC students studying at private education institutes are not harassed for the fee.
The SC and ST Welfare minister also instructed the officers to start the process for the filling of all the sanctioned posts which are lying vacant.

The minister asked the officers to put up requisition for vehicles, staff, furniture and computers which are needed for the smooth functioning of the department.