Social Justice Department dismissed 4 in Post Matric Scholarship Scam

Chandigarh, 17 February 2023 : Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities dismissed 4 officials and employees who have been charge-sheeted for irregularities in distribution and expenditure of Rs 303.92 crore released by the Center to the State Government in the month of February 2019 under the Post Matric Scholarship for SCs Scheme.

Revealing this here today, the Minister for Social Justice Empowerment and Minorities Dr. Baljeet Kaur informed that a charge sheet was issued 6 officials and employees in this case, out of which 4 officials and employees of the department have been dismissed, the case and 2 officials from the Finance Department would be sent to the concerned department for further action.

Dr. Baljeet Kaur said that during the departmental investigation, irregularities to the tune of Rs. 55.97 crore were found in the distribution and expenditure of Rs 303.92 crore received from the Government of India. On further investigation, it was also found that out of this, about Rs.16 crore were released to the erring institutes, whereas about Rs.39 crore were released to ghost institutes.

Divulging further, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that BR Bansal, Additional Sessions Judge (Ret.) was appointed as the investigating officer for this departmental investigation. After investigating the matter, the investigating officer submitted a report on 13-6-2022, in which all the 6 charge-sheeted officers and employees were found guilty.

Deputy Director Parminder Singh Gill, Superintendent (Retd.) Rajinder Chopra, Senior Assistant Rakesh Arora and Baldev Singh are among the dismissed officials and employees. As per departmental orders in this case, “Dismissed from service which shall ordinarily be a disqualification for future employment under the government”. Apart from this, the case related to DCFA (Retd.) Charanjit Singh and Section Officer Mukesh Bhatia will be sent to Finance Department to take further action.

Reiterating the zero tolerance policy of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government against corruption, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the government is also committed to ensure the welfare of people and especially students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes. She said that the decision of the department to dismiss the accused employees has been taken on the basis of the departmental investigation, whereas the vigilance department is already on the mission to put other people involved in this case behind bars.