Chandigarh, September 14:
Reaffirming the Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to making quality education accessible to every child, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Government is continuously strengthening scholarship support to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent Scheduled Caste (SC) students from pursuing their education.
Sharing details, Social Justice, Empowerment and Miniorties Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students, the Punjab Government has released ₹13.30 crore for 94,092 students during the financial year 2025-26. For the financial year 2026-27, the Government has proposed an allocation of ₹40 crore to benefit 1,17,142 students, ensuring sustained educational support at the school level.
The Cabinet Minister said that the scheme is enabling thousands of children from economically weaker Scheduled Caste families to continue their studies without financial stress. She emphasised that education is the strongest foundation for social empowerment and plays a transformative role in creating equal opportunities for every child.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government is pursuing result-oriented initiatives to uplift marginalised communities by investing in education and human development. She added that expanding educational opportunities for SC students is an important step towards building an inclusive, progressive and Rangla Punjab.
Highlighting the Government’s roadmap, the Minister said the Department will continue to ensure timely implementation of the scholarship scheme, wider awareness among eligible families and seamless disbursement of benefits so that every deserving student receives assistance without delay. She reiterated that the Punjab Government remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering young minds and building a brighter future through education.