Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme: Rs. 59.34 crore disbursed to 256 institutions out of Rs. 92 crore: Dr. Baljit Kaur
Rs. 245 crore earmarked for scholarships for students in 2024-25
Appeal Central Government to Release 60% Share Under the Scholarship Scheme
Punjab government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, committed to uplifting the living standards of SC students
Chandigarh, December 7: To provide financial assistance for the education of Scheduled Caste (SC) students, the Punjab Government has released Rs. 92 crore from the budget provisions for the year 2024-25 under the Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students scheme. Additionally, Rs. 245 crore has been earmarked for scholarships for the year 2024-25. This announcement was made by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, during a press conference held today at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh.
Divulging in this regards, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the Punjab Government had released Rs. 366 crore during the financial year 2023-24 to clear dues under the Post-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste Students scheme for the years 2017-18 to 2019-20. Out of this, Rs. 283.62 crore has already been disbursed to 1008 institutions. The Minister also assured that the remaining institutions with pending dues will receive payments soon.
The Cabinet Minister informed that Rs. 92 crore has been released to clear dues for government institutions and students from Punjab studying in institutions in other states. Out of this amount, Rs. 59.34 crore has already been disbursed to 256 institutions, and efforts are being expedited to distribute the remaining funds to other institutions.
Additionally, the Cabinet Minister stated that Rs. 229.23 crore was released for students in the financial year 2023-24 and Rs. 245 crore has been earmarked for scholarships for students in the current financial year 2024-25.
Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that between 2017 to 2020, the funds meant to be disbursed under the scholarship scheme for Scheduled Caste students were neither provided by the Central Government nor paid by the then Congress Government of Punjab. Due to such negligence by previous governments, colleges withheld the degrees of Scheduled Caste students.
The Cabinet Minister mentioned that since the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann assumed office, it has been making every possible effort to ensure that there is no disruption in the education of Scheduled Caste students.
She also appealed to the Central Government to release the pending share under the scholarship scheme at the earliest to avoid any hindrance in the education of Scheduled Caste students in Punjab. Furthermore, she informed that for the academic year 2024-25, nearly 2,31,000 students have newly registered under the scholarship scheme.
The Minister stated that the responsibility of disbursing this amount to various government institutions and ensuring its proper utilization has been entrusted to the administrative department. This department will be accountable for the appropriate use of the funds.
The Cabinet Minister further emphasized that the Punjab Government is committed to the welfare and rights of Scheduled Caste students. Under this scheme, financial assistance for their education will be provided in a timely manner, ensuring continuity in their studies. This amount will serve as a significant support for their education.
The Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities stated that education is the most powerful tool for social transformation. She emphasized that the Punjab Government will ensure that no student is forced to abandon their studies due to financial constraints. She added that the Punjab Government, is fully committed to the welfare of Scheduled Caste students.
The Cabinet Minister further said that the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is not only dedicated to safeguarding the rights of Scheduled Caste students but is also actively working to turn this commitment into reality. She highlighted that the funds disbursed under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme will encourage students to pursue their education with interest and help them overcome financial challenges.
The minister stated that the government is planning to launch several schemes not only to provide financial assistance but also to support the overall development of Scheduled Caste students. These efforts will not only aid students in the field of education but also help create employment opportunities, serving as a significant step toward turning their dreams into reality.
Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the Punjab Government is taking several significant steps under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme to promote the education of Scheduled Caste students.
On this occasion, the Director of the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities, Mr. Sandeep Hans and Deputy Director, Mr. Ravinderpal Singh Sandhu were also present.
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PUNJAB TO INSTALL 2356 AGRI SOLAR PUMPS WITHIN 4 MONTHS
* Aman Arora hands over work order for installation of solar pumps for agricultural purposes
Chandigarh, December 7: To harness the solar energy for greening the agriculture sector in the state, the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) will install 2,356 solar pumps dedicated to agricultural purposes.
Punjab's New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister, Mr. Aman Arora, handed over work orders to M/s. AVI Appliances Pvt. Ltd., M/s. PV Power Technologies Pvt. Ltd., and M/s. Himalayan Solar Pvt. Ltd. for the installation of 2,356 solar pumps for agricultural use in the state.
Mr. Aman Arora informed that these companies were selected through a transparent and competitive bidding process. The installation of these pumps is expected to be completed within four months. A subsidy of 60% for general category farmers and 80% for the Scheduled Caste (SC) farmers is available for the solar pumps with capacities of 3, 5, 7.5, and 10 HP.
In dark zones (over-exploited groundwater blocks), these pumps will be installed to farmers who already have micro irrigation systems, such as drip or sprinkler systems, installed on their bore-wells, he added.
With the installation of these solar pumps, he said while adding that the farmers will no longer need to go to their farms at night for irrigation, as these pumps operate during the daytime. This will not only reduce fuel costs but also result in zero percent carbon emissions, promoting a more sustainable farming practice.
Mr. Aman Arora also directed the PEDA officials to initiate dedicated efforts towards the installation of more agriculture solar pumps for the welfare of the farmers.
Chief Executive Officer PEDA Mr. Sandeep Hans, Director Mr. M.P. Singh and representatives of all the respective companies were also present on the occasion.
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Dr. Ravjot Singh Distributes Appointment Letters to 85 Individuals under Mission Rozgar
S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal Congratulates the Newly Appointed Employees
Dr. Ravjot Singh and Dhaliwal Travel on BRTS Bus
Chandigarh/Amritsar, December 7: Under the Mission Rozgar launched by Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, today, the Punjab Minister for Local Government, Dr. Ravjot Singh, handed over appointment letters to 85 individuals at the Municipal Corporation office. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ravjot Singh expressed that the Punjab Government is committed to providing more employment opportunities for the youth. He highlighted that during the tenure of the current government, nearly 51,000 individuals have been provided with government jobs.
Dr. Ravjot Singh, while handing over the appointment letters, urged the newly appointed employees to recognize their vital role in the social and economic development of Punjab. He emphasized that continuous hard work and dedication are essential to achieving success and attaining one's life goals. He encouraged them to perform their duties with sincerity and honesty. Dr. Ravjot Singh stressed that these jobs have been given based on merit, without any recommendation, favoritism, or nepotism. He added that under Mission Rozgar, a total of 1,255 employees have been appointed in the Local Government Department, and the process is ongoing. He expressed hope that the new recruits would use their positions to assist the underprivileged and marginalized communities.
On this occasion, the Minister for Local Government distributed appointment letters to 19 Executive officers, 18 drivers/operators, and 48 sanitation workers, Peons, and labourer
Cabinet Minister, S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, congratulated the newly appointed employees, urging them to maintain cleanliness in the holy city, which attracts around 1.25 lakh pilgrims daily. He emphasized that it is their duty to keep the city clean and ensure a steady supply of clean water. S. Dhaliwal further stated that the Punjab Government is dedicated to the welfare of the common people and that jobs are being provided across all departments through a transparent recruitment process based solely on merit.
Following the event, Cabinet Ministers Dr. Ravjot Singh, S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, and Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, Mr. Gulpreet Singh, traveled by BRTS bus from the University to Bhandari Bridge. Dr. Ravjot Singh mentioned that the number of BRTS buses would be increased soon. He reassured that the government has sufficient funds to ensure the smooth operation of the BRTS system.
The event was also attended by MLA Ajay Gupta, MLA S. Jasbeer Singh, MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar, MLA Jeevanjot Kaur, SDM S. Mankawal Singh Chahal, AAP City President Mr. Munish Agarwal, Mr. Ravinder Hans, XEN Sandeep Singh, Dr. Kiran Kumar, and other officials.
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Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has recruited more than 50 thousand employees: Mundian
Housing and Urban Development Minister hands over appointment letters to three new employees
Chandigarh, December 7- Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardip Singh Mundian handed over appointment letters to three new employees recruited in the departme
During a function in Chandigarh, he handed over appointment letters to Law Officer Kulwant Singh and Clerks Rupali and Milanpreet Kaur. He welcomed them to the department. On this occasion, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and Secretary Rahul Tiwari were also present.
Mr. Mundian said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the State Government has recruited more than 50 thousand employees so far during two and a half years. Around 223 employees have been recruited by the Housing and Urban Development department. He said that the department will fill the vacant posts in the coming time.
The Minister further said that the government is providing employment opportunities to the youth of the state in the state itself. Apart from this, by encouraging investment, an investor-friendly environment has been created, due to which employment opportunities are also being created in the private sector. This is also giving a boost to the economic development of the state.
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Silk Mark Expo 2024 attracts Record-Breaking Crowds
Mann Government’s Initiative for Rural Empowerment and Sericulture Development
Expo Open until December 9
Chandigarh, December 7 :The ongoing Silk Mark Expo 2024 at Kisan Bhawan, Sector 35, Chandigarh, organized by the Silk Mark Organisation of India, the Central Silk Board, in collaboration with the horticulture departments of Punjab Government, has become a massive success, attracting thousands of visitors since its inauguration on December 4 by Punjab Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat.
Under the guidance of Minister Mohinder Bhagat and directions of additional Chief Secretary Horticulture Mr.Anurag Verma Punjab has emerged as a leader in sericulture innovation, ensuring sustainable livelihoods for rural communities. The state has significantly boosted silk farming across Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur and Ropar.
Giving more information in this regard, the Minister said, “The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to empowering rural communities. The success of the Silk Mark Expo reflects our determination to expand the sericulture sector, ensuring better livelihoods for farmers and artisans.,
Mrs. Shailender Kaur, Director of Punjab Horticulture, said that pure silk products are attracting a lot of consumers. The Silk Expo 2024, running until December 9, offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore premium pure silk products.
The expo features various stalls showcasing exquisite silk items, including sarees, stoles, and home décor etc., sourced from states like Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and others. The significant sales of pure silk and sericulture products at the expo reflect the growing demand for silk among consumers.