Jalandhar, January 30
Launching the distribution of scholarships to more than 2.7 lakh Scheduled Caste (SC) students at the PAP Ground in Jalandhar, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the ₹271 crore Post-Matric Scholarship under the ‘Mission Rangla Punjab’ drive reflects a fundamental shift in governance priorities, asserting that while Congress, the Akalis and the BJP remained preoccupied with family interests, AAP has focused squarely on securing the future of Punjab’s children.
Highlighting a 35 per cent rise in beneficiaries since 2020–21, the Chief Minister said the surge was the result of genuine education reforms, not tokenism, and stressed that scholarships are not mere financial aid but a tool of self-reliance, correcting years of systemic neglect in which delayed and diverted funds had even prevented students from appearing in examinations.
Sharing a few snippets from the event on X, Mann stated: “At the PAP Ground in Jalandhar today, scholarships were distributed to Scheduled Caste students, marking the beginning of disbursement to more than 2.5 lakh children across the state. The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure that children from needy families are able to pursue higher education. Compared to 2020–21, the number of students receiving scholarships has increased by 35 percent in 2024–25. This scholarship is not merely financial assistance but a powerful means of making students self-reliant. The effort is to ensure that no child is deprived of education or forced to abandon their dreams due to lack of money.”
Addressing students at a scholarship disbursement function, Mann said, “From scam to ‘Punjab Shine’, the Post-Matric Scholarship has become a powerful instrument of social transformation. This ambitious scheme has given wings to the dreams of millions of Scheduled Caste students who are pursuing higher education,” drawing thunderous applause from beneficiaries present at the venue.
Recalling the period between 2017 and 2020, the Chief Minister said that the scheme had been virtually stalled, leading educational institutions to withhold degrees of students. “A scam took place under this scheme and every Punjabi was anguished by it. The then minister in charge of the department betrayed their own community by illegally minting money meant for the education of children from weaker sections,” he said, adding that funds meant for SC students were usurped, depriving them of their rightful opportunities.
