Daijiworld Media Network - Jalandhar

Jalandhar, Jan 31: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday distributed scholarships to Scheduled Caste (SC) students in Jalandhar, formally launching the state-wide scholarship distribution programme that is expected to benefit over 2.5 lakh students.

The event was held at the PAP Ground in Jalandhar and was attended by Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who is also the MLA from Dirba constituency.

Taking to X, Mann said the key aim of the initiative is to ensure higher education for children from economically weaker families.

“Our main objective is to ensure higher education for children from needy families,” Mann wrote in Hindi, adding that compared to 2020–21, the number of students receiving scholarships in 2024–25 has increased by 35 per cent.

Calling the scholarship more than just monetary support, the Chief Minister said it is meant to empower students and help them become self-reliant.

“This scholarship is not merely financial assistance, but a powerful means of making children self-reliant. Our effort is to ensure that no child is deprived of education or their dreams due to lack of money,” he added.

The Punjab government said the scholarship scheme is aimed at improving access to education for SC students, especially those belonging to economically weaker sections, while ensuring equal opportunities and supporting academic and professional aspirations.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also hailed the initiative, stating that under the post-matric scholarship scheme, the Mann government has released crores of rupees for needy Dalit students.

“With this scholarship scheme, students’ dreams will take flight,” the party said in a post.