The North News
Chandigarh, January 30
The Punjab government has begun distributing post-matric scholarships worth ₹271 crore to more than 2.7 lakh Scheduled Caste (SC) students, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann describing the scheme as a shift towards education-led governance and social justice.
Launching the disbursement at the PAP Ground in Jalandhar, Mann said the initiative, rolled out under the state’s Mission Rangla Punjab programme, aimed to ensure that financial hardship did not force students to abandon higher education. He said the number of beneficiaries had risen by 35% since 2020–21, calling it evidence of “genuine reform” rather than symbolic welfare.
The Chief Minister said the Post-Matric Scholarship was not merely financial assistance but a means of self-reliance, recalling how earlier delays and alleged misuse of funds had left students unable to sit examinations or receive degrees. He accused previous governments of neglecting the scheme and prioritising political interests over students’ futures.
Addressing students, Mann said education was the most effective tool to transform the lives of marginalised communities, adding that successive governments had kept weaker sections away from learning. He linked the programme to B R Ambedkar’s belief that education was central to ending social inequality.
The government has increased the scholarship budget from ₹245 crore to ₹271 crore and introduced bio-authentication for students and institutions to prevent fraud. An accountability system has also been put in place through the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship Portal, officials said.
Mann said the scheme targeted students from families with an annual income below ₹2.5 lakh and was being implemented with full transparency. He also highlighted broader reforms in education and healthcare, including upgraded government schools, free coaching for competitive exams, and expanded access to public health services.
Several students shared their experiences at the event, saying the scholarship had enabled them to pursue professional courses despite financial constraints.
