Capt Amarinder Singh rolls out SC scheme, 3 lakh pupils to benefit

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 31

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday launched a post-matric scholarship scheme for students belonging to the scheduled caste category.

‘No aid from Centre’

• Free education to SC students against direct subsidy
• Scheme to benefit more than 3 lakh SC pupils every year
• Students to get monthly stipend for books, uniform

Participating in Valmiki Jayanti celebrations virtually, the CM said the scheme would ensure higher education for poor SC students free of cost. He pointed out that the Centre had deprived the SCs of this benefit with the abrupt withdrawal of aid worth Rs 800 crore to the state.

“Dr BR Ambedkar Post-Matric SC Scholarship is being launched without any financial help from the Centre. It will ensure 100 per cent fee waiver to SC students,” he explained. Capt Amarinder virtually laid the foundation stone for projects worth Rs 50 crore for Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, Amritsar, inaugurated Ram Tirath ITI and approved the setting up of a skill development centre to prepare Dalit students for various competitive exams.