Union Minister orders Departmental Inquiry into the scam of Dalit Students Scholarship Scheme in Punjab: Som Prakash

CHANDIGARH: Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Som Prakash raised the issue of Rs 63.91 crore scam in Central Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Dalit Students by Cabinet Ministers and officials of the Punjab Government.

Minister Som Prakash who  wrote a letter to Social Justice and Empowerment Union Minister Dr. Thawar Chand Gehlot told this correspondent here today that  the Additional Chief Secretary in Punjab Government pointed the irregularities in the scheme and submitted a report to the Chief Secretary. The report reveals that a senior Cabinet Minister of Punjab Government misused the money of scholarship meant for Dalit students, with the connivance of the lower officers of the Department. Taking cognizance of this, Union Minister Dr. Thawar Chand Gehlot has ordered immediate departmental inquiry by two officers of Joint Secretary level in the Government of India. Minister Som Prakash said that Dr. Gehlot has assured that the strictest action will be taken against those involved in the scam