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Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 4
Vijay Sampla, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, blamed the Punjab Government for the delay in the disbursal of post-matric scholarships (PMS) to the Scheduled Caste students on Tuesday.
The minister was addressing students during a seminar on ‘Empowering Persons with Disablities and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality’ at Panjab University.
The Ambedkar Students Association (ASA) presented a memorandum to Sampla, claiming that the post-matric scholarships have not be disbursed for the past four years.
Sampla said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided us with funds, but the Punjab Government has been unable to intimate about how much amount is required.”
The ASA said: “The pendency of scholarship funds has affected the SC students’ enrolment adversely and in Punjab, the enrolment has declined.”
However, Sampla assured them all-possible help by his ministry for making Panjab University accessible to all.
He said disability was not an obstacle in achieving success, and if polished properly, can help contribute immensely to society.
The minister said under the Centre’s Accessible India (Sugamya Bharat) programme, every new building must be accessible to the disabled. The Right of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, has a total of 21 disabilities listed now, which were only seven earlier.
Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar said disability must be seen as an opportunity. He informed that a Rs 125-crore project for improving the infrastructure for the disabled has been submitted to the ministry. “All problems have a solution. We just need strong linkage. Students are always welcome and must reach out to my office if required,” he said.
University Registrar Prof Karamjeet Singh and warden of boys’ hostel number 2, Sanjeev Gautam, were present on the occasion.
Sampla also planted a sapling at boys’ hostel number 2 where warden Virender Negi and Prof Sanjay Kaushik, Dean, College Development Council, were present.
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