Chandigarh, May 18, 2026: Sardar Paramjit Singh Kainth—State Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Scheduled Castes Morcha, Punjab, and President of the National Scheduled Castes Alliance—has written to the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, seeking immediate intervention and oversight regarding the investigation into the Punjab Post-Matric Scheduled Castes Scholarship Scam.
Paramjit Singh Kainth stated that the FIR registered by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau—following strict observations and directives from the Punjab and Haryana High Court—has exposed grave irregularities in the implementation of the scholarship scheme. He asserted that the “Post-Matric SC Scholarship Scam” is not merely a case of financial malfeasance, but constitutes a direct assault on social justice, constitutional equality, and the educational rights of Dalit students. He further added that whenever corruption plagues schemes designed for poor and underprivileged families, it is the future of Dalit youth that suffers the most. Strict action against the culprits and complete accountability are imperative to safeguard the rights of Dalit students.
He emphasized that this matter is directly intertwined with the future, constitutional rights, and higher education opportunities of millions of Scheduled Caste students in Punjab who hail from ordinary and economically weaker families. This scholarship scheme—originally intended to facilitate the higher education of economically disadvantaged SC students—has failed to achieve its objective due to corruption and administrative negligence.
Kainth alleged that serious irregularities dating back to the year 2016-17 have come to light; these include the illicit withdrawal of scholarship funds, submission of fraudulent audit reports, instances of double payments, manipulation of government records, and the misappropriation of crores of rupees allocated for SC students. He further stated that despite this issue being known for several years, the failure to register a First Information Report (FIR) for nearly five years was an extremely serious lapse—one that compelled the Punjab and Haryana High Court to issue a stern reprimand to the Punjab government. He pointed out that, in its observations, the High Court clearly asserted that if information regarding a cognizable offense (a serious crime) was already available, an FIR should have been registered immediately, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ‘Lalita Kumari’ judgment.
Paramjit Singh Kainth remarked that this is not merely a financial scam, but a direct assault on social justice, constitutional equality, and the educational rights of Scheduled Caste students. Due to delays and irregularities in the distribution of scholarships, thousands of eligible students have been forced to endure mental, financial, and educational hardships.
He urged the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to take immediate cognizance of this matter; to demand detailed reports from the Punjab government and investigative agencies; to monitor the ongoing investigation to ensure it is fair and completed within a stipulated timeframe; to examine the roles played by officials, educational institutions, middlemen, and influential political figures implicated in this scam; to initiate strict legal action against the culprits; and to implement a transparent mechanism to ensure that, in the future, scholarship funds reach eligible Scheduled Caste students directly.
Paramjit Singh Kainth stated that the Dalit community of Punjab looks to constitutional institutions for justice, accountability, and the protection of the dignity and rights of Scheduled Caste students. He added that this issue also raises broader policy questions concerning social justice, the right to education, and Dalit empowerment. The prevalence of corruption, administrative negligence, and political patronage within scholarship schemes designed for Dalit students clearly underscores the urgent need for policy reforms and robust oversight mechanisms.
He further noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently emphasized that “dignity, opportunity, and rights” must reach every Dalit student with absolute integrity. Transparency, accountability, and a Direct Benefit Transfer system, he asserted, constitute the true path toward achieving social justice.
