PHILLAUR directs officers to ensure proper and timely disbursement under various welfare schemes
Author(s): City Air NewsChandigarh, January 30, 2013: Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Social Welfare Minister Punjab has directed the officers of the department to ensure proper disbursement of the amount earmarked for the welfare of economically...
cityairnews
Jan 30, 2013 12:30
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Chandigarh, January 30, 2013: Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Social Welfare Minister Punjab has directed the officers of the department to ensure proper disbursement of the amount earmarked for the welfare of economically weaker sections of the society on account of various welfare schemes launched by the government in the state.
Disclosing this here today, the Minister said that the Punjab government was committed to uplift the economic and social status of the downtrodden and underprivileged sections of the society. To facilitate various such sections, the government had launched a Shagun scheme under which grant of Rs. 15,000 was given to the needy families belonging to SCs, Christians, BCs, Economically Weaker Sections and Daughters of Widows of any caste at the time of their marriages.
Adding further, the Minister said that the beneficiaries would be required to apply in order to avail to this scheme at least 15 days before the day of marriage.This decision had been taken with a view of providing initial financial aid of the families prior to the marriage and to make this scheme more translucent.
During the current financial year the Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes cleared the entire backlog of pending applications of previous years. Out of about 70,000 pending applications pertaining to the years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12, payment in respect of about 20000 applicants has already been released whereas about 27000 more applications would be cleared within the next fortnight. So far as current financial year 2012-13 is concerned, all applications received up to 30th November 2012 have been cleared and applications are now being cleared on monthly basis, said the Minister.
To ensure complete transparency, the Minister said that under the Shagun scheme, the amount disbursed would be credited into the bank accounts of beneficiary brides before their marriages, said Mr. Phillaur.
