Post-Matric Scholarship: National SC Commission summons Chief Secretary Punjab again on June 29

Chandigarh: After ignoring multiple notices on the issue of hardships faced by Scheduled Caste students of Punjab under Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, Government of Punjab today presented its case before Vijay Sampla Chairman National Commission for Scheduled Castes via its three officers.

In the three-hour hearing at the national headquarters of the Commission in Delhi, Smt. Raji P. Shrivastava, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Social Justice, empowerment & minorities; Ramesh Kumar Ganta, IAS, Principal Secretary, Higher Education, and M.S. Jaggi Director, Department of Social Justice, empowerment & minorities could not answer the queries and questions asked by Sampla.

The Chairman has kept the next hearing on 29 June and asked the Chief Secretary Punjab Ms. Vinni Mahajan to appear in person along with an up to date action taken report and all relevant documents including relevant files, case diaries, etc. to facilitate the hearing. It is pertinent to note that CS Punjab requested Chairman NCSC for exemption from today's (17 June) hearing.

Had the Government of Punjab answered the first 15-day notice issued on 25 May and subsequent notices on 7 June and 10, there was no need to summon the officers but unfortunately, today also they came unprepared, said Sampla.

“As Chairman I am duty-bound to secure the rights of Scheduled Castes and ensure that they get justice in all respects,” concluded Sampla.