SC COMMISSION: Issues directions to cancel fake SC certificates

Chandigarh, December 5, 2012: The Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes today strictly asked all Departments of Punjab Government to implement Scheduled Castes Welfare Schemes in true spirit so that SCs can avail the full benefits of initiatives taken by the government for the betterment of SCs.

Presiding over a review meeting participated by Secretary Welfare R. Venkatram, ADGP (Crime) Jasminder Singh, Parkash Singh Gardhiwala, Dalip Singh Pandhi, Bharti Keneddy, all members of Commission, A.K. Kansal, Chief Vigilance Officer, H.S. Nanda, Director Welfare Department and G.S. Ghuman, Special Secretary Welfare, Bagha said that it has come to the notice of commission that the welfare schemes were not being implemented at ground level. He said that all the departments have been asked to implement welfare schemes for SCs and no laxity in this regard would be tolerated.

Reviewing the status of Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, Bagha said that Commission has also received scores of complaints in this regard, where some educational institutions in the state were being forced to the students from the families having less than Rs. 2 lakh annual income. He said that fresh directions have been issued to the Welfare Department to look into the issue besides highlighting the Post Matric Scholarship and other welfare schemes for SC students in prospectus of institutions and through notice boards by e boards in the institutions highlighting the post matric scholarship and other welfare schemes in education sector. He said that the erring institutions would not be spared.

Seeking reports on the pending cases in all departments especially in police department, Bagha said that he has also asked the Punjab Police Chief to issue fresh directions to the police officers in districts to early resolve the pending issues. The Chairman also said that the officers in the rank of DGP should reinvestigate the cases pending in enquiry for a long time. He said that Commission has also issued orders to cancel the fake SC Certificates issued by various authorities.

Asking the Welfare Department to expedite the functioning of Roaster Committees, Bagha sought the detailed report of roaster committees before the next review meeting of Commission, which is scheduled for December 18. He also asked Welfare Department to early release the monetary help to the applicants pending in more than 500 cases of inter-caste marriages.