Letters issued to beneficiaries of SC schemes
Highlighting the transformative initiatives undertaken by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to uphold the vision of Dr BR Ambedkar, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday said with six Scheduled Caste (SC) Ministers in the Cabinet, the AAP government has set a precedent in representation and inclusivity.
He said for the first time ever, the government has introduced reservation in the Advocate General’s office, ensuring equitable opportunities in the legal domain. Additionally, the hassle-free disbursement of SC scholarships has empowered countless students to pursue their dreams without financial barriers.
Addressing a district-level function held at DAVIET to commemorate the 134th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, Cheema also called upon the youth to become torchbearers of Bharat Ratna Dr Ambedkar’s ideology, asserting that walking on the path shown by the revered leader is the most befitting tribute to Baba Saheb. The minister, accompanied by MLAs Balkar Singh and Inderjit Kaur Mann, Mayor Vaneet Dhir, Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal and Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur, emphasised that Dr Ambedkar’s vision of social and political equality remains as relevant today as ever.
In a major relief to marginalised families, Cheema said the government had waived loans issued by the SC Corporation before March 31, 2020, benefiting individuals unable to repay due to financial hardship.
The minister distributed allotment letters to beneficiaries under the Ashirwad Scheme, Shagun Scheme and Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme. The minister also released a coffee table book showcasing the government’s initiatives for the welfare of SC/ST and minority communities.
Prominent among others present on the occasion included Chairman, Punjab Minorities Commission, Abdul Bahri Salmani, Chairman, improvement trust, Rajwinder Kaur Thiara, Chairman, Punjab Agri Export Limited, Mangal Singh Bassi, AAP district urban president and Chairman, District Planning Committee, Amritpal Singh, AAP district president, Rural, Stephen Kaler, Adviser, Punjab, Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board, Deepak Bali, Pawan Kumar Tinu, halqa in-charge Jeet Lal Bhatti and principal Prem Kumar.
Jalandhar