Chandigarh, October 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Government has earmarked ₹17,700 crore for the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) under the State Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) for the financial year 2026-27, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said on Wednesday.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at Punjab Bhawan, Dr. Baljit Kaur reviewed the implementation of SCSP, financial progress, coverage of beneficiaries and the execution of welfare schemes. Senior officers from various departments attended the meeting.
The minister said that under the SCSP for 2025-26, against a total budget provision of ₹13,987.16 crore, 97.6 per cent of the funds had been utilised. For 2026-27, the government has provided ₹17,700 crore for Scheduled Castes welfare, accounting for 35.23 per cent of the state’s total development budget.
She said the government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, was committed to ensuring that allocations for Scheduled Castes welfare translated into tangible improvements in people’s lives through better access to education, employment, skill development, livelihood opportunities and social security.
Reviewing expenditure from April 1 to September 30, 2026, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that 36.6 per cent of the budget estimates had been spent during the first half of the financial year. She directed departments to accelerate implementation, meet pending targets within stipulated timelines and ensure efficient utilisation of the remaining funds.
The minister appreciated departments that had demonstrated strong performance in implementing SCSP initiatives and utilising funds. She directed departments with comparatively slower progress to improve planning, execution and monitoring.
Highlighting the importance of targeted interventions, she noted that Punjab has the highest proportion of Scheduled Caste population among Indian states and stressed that departments must work with greater responsibility and sensitivity to extend the benefits of welfare schemes to eligible communities.
During the review of major schemes, officials reported that the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme recorded 103.81 per cent budget utilisation, the Dairy Farming Scheme achieved 100 per cent utilisation, and the Ashirwad Scheme registered 93.58 per cent utilisation.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said the success of welfare programmes should be assessed not only through expenditure figures but also through their actual impact on beneficiaries.
She directed departments to maintain updated and verified beneficiary records, including district-wise and scheme-wise details, to strengthen monitoring and assess outcomes more effectively. Accurate data, she said, would help identify gaps and ensure that future interventions address the needs of Scheduled Caste communities.
To improve accountability, the minister ordered regular reviews of departments recording slower fund utilisation. She also directed District-Level Monitoring and Vigilance Committees to hold four meetings every year to oversee implementation, ensure proper use of funds and recommend timely corrective measures wherever necessary.
Calling for sustainable economic empowerment, Dr. Baljit Kaur urged major departments to develop innovative, need-based schemes for Scheduled Castes in education, skill development, employment, self-employment, housing, agriculture, entrepreneurship and other areas of economic advancement.
She said such initiatives should create greater opportunities for Scheduled Caste youth, women and families to become self-reliant and participate in Punjab’s development.
The minister also directed departments to nominate dedicated SCSP Nodal Officers to ensure timely reporting, reconciliation of data and better coordination. She emphasised that a robust monitoring framework was essential for transparency, efficiency and effective delivery of government schemes.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to social justice, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the state would continue to strengthen welfare programmes and expand opportunities for inclusive development under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership.
“The priority of the Punjab Government is that every rupee allocated for Scheduled Castes welfare is utilised with complete transparency and reaches the intended beneficiaries. By strengthening education, employment opportunities, economic empowerment and social security, we are working towards building a more equitable and empowered Punjab,” she said.
Special Chief Secretary, Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Raji P. Srivastava; Director Vimmi Bhullar; senior departmental officers; and representatives from other departments attended the meeting.
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