The Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA) has urged the Centre for the early release of pending amount of Rs 373 Crore meant for SC students under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme in Punjab for the 2015-16.A delegation of the PUCA met with Union Minister of State Vijay Sampla at his New Delhi residence to follow the release of the pending amount. Dr Anshu Kataria of PUCA said around Rs 373 crore meant for SC students in Punjab for the 2015-16 was still pending towards the government and that no amount had yet been released for 2016-17 too. Around 3.15 lakh SC students have applied for the scholarship in 2015-16 while 3.45 lakh SC students applied for it in 2016-17 under the PMS scheme, she said.The association also apprised Vijay Sampla of problems being faced by SC students, their parents and unaided colleges in Punjab due to the delay in the release of scholarship funds.The PUCA release said the funds earlier released by the Centre to the state government had already been disbursed to colleges but still nearly Rs 373 crore for 2015-16 was pending towards the Central government for which the state government had sent a fresh bill for disbursement of funds.Kataria stated that Sampla gave patient hearing to the problems and demands of the delegation and assured it that the funds would soon be released.
[Source:-Chandigarh Tribune]
