Punjab Vidhan Sabha Committee reviews welfare schemes meant for SCs, STs, OBCs

Ludhiana, February 19, 2026: A Vidhan Sabha's committee for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Backward Classes (BC) held a review meeting on Thursday to evaluate the implementation of welfare schemes run by the government for them. The committee also examined reports on complaints and atrocity cases related to the SC community in coordination with the Police Commissioner of Ludhiana and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Ludhiana (Rural).
The meeting was chaired by MLA Jagraon Sarvjit Kaur Manuke who is also committee chairperson, and attended by MLAs Dr. Jasbir Singh Sandhu (Amritsar West), Engineer Amit Ratan (Bathinda Rural), Master Jagseer Singh (Bhucho), Dr. Nachhatar Pal (Nawanshahr), Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal (Phagwara), and Dalbir Singh Tong (Baba Bakala).
During the session, the committee reviewed welfare schemes and directed district officers to ensure that the full benefits of central and state government schemes reach eligible beneficiaries at the grassroots level without any shortfall. Officials were instructed to maximize publicity for these schemes and organize special awareness camps to educate people and deliver benefits effectively. The committee emphasized that no effort should be spared in providing schemes and facilities to SC, ST, and BC groups.
The committee also issued strict directions to the Police Commissioner and SSP (Rural) to resolve all pending complaints from SC, ST, and BC individuals in their offices within 15 days and submit a comprehensive report to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh.
The Chairperson Sarvjit Kaur Manuke stated that it is everyone's duty to contribute to the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes, and to work dedicatedly to uplift the oppressed and downtrodden sections of society.
After the meeting, Sarvjit Kaur Manuke spoke to media, highlighting the key issues discussed including atrocity cases under the SC Act in which Police officers reported that FIRs have been registered in most cases, with challans presented in many; for the remaining ones, a 15-day deadline was set, after which further action will be reviewed. Regarding persons with special abilities : Often, such individuals face hardships traveling to hospitals for treatment, so the suggestion was made for the government to provide dedicated ambulances, with ASHA workers identifying and assisting those in need to reduce family burden. Third, on how police handle complaints from SC individuals: Discussions were held with police officials on improving assistance. Additionally, issues like scholarships and relief funds for atrocity victims were raised, noting that in some payments are not reaching due to address issues and administration assured to deliver grants directly to homes in the coming period.
Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain and Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma welcomed the committee. Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Rakesh Kumar assured the committee that all the instructions would be implemented in letter and spirit.
ADC (Urban Development) Rupinder Pal Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Payal Goyal and others were also present.