Logo

Logo

Punjab CM orders release of Ashirward scheme arrears

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered the release of pending amounts under Ashirwad scheme. The CM has directed…

Punjab CM orders release of Ashirward scheme arrears

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh (Photo: Facebook)

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered the release of pending amounts under Ashirwad scheme. The CM has directed the finance department to clear all the pending cases from April to September, 2017.

Also, the CM has sought a detailed report on the audit of private colleges for the release of the post-matric scholarship scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. The CM passed the orders during the review meeting of state government’s welfare schemes.

Taking a serious view of the delay in disbursement of payments under various schemes, the CM ordered immediate release of the pending amount under the Ashirward Scheme at Rs 15,000 per girl for the April to June 2017 period, to be followed by payment for July to September at the enhanced amount of Rs 21,000 per girl, as announced by the Congress government.

Advertisement

The total amount which will be immediately clear is Rs 44 Crore, an official spokesperson disclosed after the meeting.

The meeting also discussed the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) scheme for Schedule Caste (SC) and Schedule Tribes (ST) students and reviewed the progress of the audit being done of the 100 per cent centrally sponsored scheme amid reports that many private colleges were availing benefits under the scheme against the fake enrolment of students.

Directing that the audit, which was initiated against private colleges for payments made to them over the last five years, be completed in two weeks, the CM asked the department to take punitive action against the colleges found guilty of bogus enrolment.

While ordering the release of money due to government colleges, CM asked the Chief Secretary to examine all cases relating to for a detailed report before releasing money to the private colleges, said the spokesperson, adding that Rs 115 Crore was due to be released by the state government under the scheme.

Of the 900 plus colleges being audited, bunglings have been uncovered so far in 250 colleges, and it is estimated that Rs 500 Crore of pilferage could have happened under the scheme.

Advertisement