Dr. Baljit Kaur reviews SC Sub-Plan progress, urges timely fund utilization for Scheduled Caste Welfare
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 2, 2025: Punjab’s Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, chaired a key review meeting to assess the progress of the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP), aimed at promoting the socio-economic welfare of the Scheduled Caste community in the state.
Senior officials from around 25 departments implementing SCSP schemes participated in the discussions.
During the meeting, Dr. Baljit Kaur evaluated the initiatives undertaken under the SC Sub-Plan for the financial year 2025–26. She instructed officials to expedite the utilisation of unspent funds and ensure immediate release so that government welfare schemes reach beneficiaries at the grassroots level without delay.
The Minister stressed that SCSP funds must be used exclusively for Scheduled Caste welfare, warning that any negligence or misuse would not be tolerated.
She also directed departments to submit detailed lists of beneficiaries and villages covered under their schemes to the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities to ensure transparent and effective fund utilisation.
Highlighting the need for innovative and people-centric schemes, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the Punjab Government, under Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the holistic development, empowerment, and improved living standards of the Scheduled Castes. She added that such review meetings would be held regularly to monitor progress and ensure timely, streamlined, and result-oriented implementation of SCSP schemes.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department Sh. Vikas Partap, IAS; Principal Secretary of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Sh. V.K. Meena, IAS; Director-cum-Additional Secretary Ms. Vimmi Bhullar, IAS; Research Officer Dr. Livpreet Kaur; Shri Kamaljit Singh, and other senior officials.