Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab has allocated ₹17,700 crore for Scheduled Castes welfare for 2026-27, accounting for 35.23 per cent of the state’s total development budget. Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur shared the details during a review meeting of the State Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) at Punjab Bhawan.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, was committed to ensuring transparent utilisation of funds and delivering benefits to eligible beneficiaries. During 2025-26, the state utilised 97.6 per cent of the ₹13,987.16 crore allocated under the SCSP.
Reviewing expenditure from April to September 2026, the minister said 36.6 per cent of the budget estimates for 2026-27 had been spent during the first six months. She directed departments to accelerate implementation and complete pending targets within stipulated timelines.
Officials informed the meeting that the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme recorded 103.81 per cent budget utilisation, while the Dairy Farming Scheme achieved 100 per cent and the Ashirwad Scheme 93.58 per cent.
The minister also directed departments to maintain verified beneficiary records, appoint dedicated SCSP nodal officers and strengthen monitoring. She instructed District-Level Monitoring and Vigilance Committees to meet four times a year to ensure accountability and effective implementation.
Dr. Baljit Kaur called for need-based schemes to promote education, employment, skill development, housing, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment among Scheduled Caste communities.
Special Chief Secretary Raji P. Srivastava, Director Vimmi Bhullar and senior officials from various departments attended the meeting.
