IEP Chandigarh, February 25
The Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is constantly striving for the welfare of Scheduled Castes. Efforts are being made by the Punjab government to give maximum benefits to the beneficiaries of the welfare schemes being run for the poor section of the state. Divulging in this regard, Minister of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jati Abhyudhay Yojana, a State Level Project Evaluation-cum-Convergence Committee has been formed to evaluate and prioritize district and state level projects for the social and economic betterment of scheduled castes. She said that under the Anusuchit Jati Abhyudhay Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana, Grants-in-aid for District/State-level projects for the socio-economic betterment of Scheduled Castes and construction /repair works are carried out of Educational hostels for Scheduled Caste students(Boys and Girls). Dr. Baljit Kaur said that Special Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary and Secretary of the Social Justice Empowerment and Minorities Chairperson of this Committee. Dr. Baljit Kaur said that Administrative Secretary or representative of department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Horticulture, Soil and Water Conservation, Industries and Commerce, Co-operatives, Finance, Planning, Rural Development and Panchayats, Social Security Women and Child Development, Higher Education and Languages, School Education, Health and Family Welfare, Water Supply and Sanitation, Public Works, Irrigation and Water Resources, New and Renewable Sources of Energy, Information Technology, Employment Generation and Training, other concerned departments member of this committee. She said that Chairman Punjab State Commission Scheduled Castes, representative from up to 5 PMAJY districts whose villages are being covered and National Informatics Center shall be the head or representative member. Cabinet Minister said that the Director of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minority will be the Member-Secretary in the case of Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana and Construction/Repair of Educational Hostels for SC students (Boys and Girls). In addition, the Director (SCSP)-cum-Joint Secretary will be the Member-Secretary in the case of Grants-in-aid for District/State-level projects for the socio-economic betterment of Scheduled Castes. The Cabinet Minister directed that it will be necessary for the State Level Project Appraisal-cum-Convergence Committee to meet once in six months.Apart from this, the Deputy Commissioner at the district level will be the Chairperson of the Project Appraisal-cum-Convergence Committee.
