Every Eligible Beneficiary Will Receive Their Due Rights: Dr. Baljit Kaur
Eligibility for BC Certificate to Be Determined Solely on Parents’ Status; Spouse’s Employment or Income Will Have No Bearing
Chandigarh (Harpreet Singh): Punjab Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur today announced that the Punjab Government will launch a statewide awareness and facilitation campaign to remove misconceptions regarding Backward Class (BC) Certificates and ensure that every eligible citizen receives the benefits and entitlements guaranteed under the prescribed rules.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan here today, the Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Government has noticed that, at several places, eligible applicants have been facing difficulties in obtaining BC Certificates due to incorrect interpretation of the prescribed guidelines. She said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government is committed to ensuring the uniform, transparent and effective implementation of BC Certificate rules across the State so that no eligible applicant is denied his or her rightful entitlement.
Dr. Baljit Kaur clarified that eligibility for a BC Certificate is determined solely on the basis of the status of the applicant’s parents. The employment, income or social status of the applicant’s spouse has no bearing on eligibility. Likewise, the status of an uncle, aunt or any other relative cannot be taken into consideration while determining eligibility.
She further explained that applicants whose parents fall under the categories of constitutional functionaries, specified Class-I or Class-II officers, certain professionals, or the prescribed property or creamy layer criteria are not eligible for BC category benefits. However, she emphasized that denying BC Certificates solely because an applicant’s parents are Class-III or Class-IV employees on the basis of annual income is contrary to the prescribed rules.
The Minister also clarified that an application cannot be rejected merely because no BC Certificate had previously been issued to the applicant’s parents or family. Every person who fulfills the prescribed eligibility conditions has the right to apply for a BC Certificate, even for the first time.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said that meetings will be held with all Deputy Commissioners to ensure uniform implementation of the rules throughout the State. Besides, simple, easy-to-understand guidelines will be displayed at Sewa Kendras, Deputy Commissioners’ offices and all other certificate-issuing centres. Awareness posters and printed information material will also be made available to help citizens understand whether they fall under the creamy layer or are eligible for BC category benefits.
Highlighting the Punjab Government’s initiatives for the welfare of Backward Classes, the Minister said that since 2022, nearly 76,000 BC beneficiaries have received financial assistance amounting to about ₹391 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme. Similarly, BC students have benefited under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, while the State Government has been continuously pursuing the Government of India for enhancement of scholarship amounts.
She further informed that BACKFINCO is providing concessional loans to eligible beneficiaries belonging to the Backward Classes for self-employment. To promote higher education, two hostels with 100 seats each for boys and girls are being established at Punjabi University, Patiala. Besides, under the Top Class Education Scheme, 210 seats have been earmarked in 12 premier institutions, for which around 179 students have applied this year.
The Minister further said that under the Top Class School Education Scheme, eligible BC students studying in empanelled schools will receive financial assistance of approximately ₹75,000 per annum for Classes IX and X and around ₹1.25 lakh per annum for Classes XI and XII. Nearly 6,000 schools will be listed on the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Portal, enabling students and parents to access complete information from a single platform.
Appealing to the media, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the BC Certificate is the primary document for availing reservation in education and government employment, besides accessing benefits under various welfare schemes. She expressed confidence that the Department’s special awareness campaign would remove misconceptions, ensure uniform implementation of the rules and help every eligible beneficiary receive his or her rightful entitlement.
On the occasion, Special Secretary, Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Sh.Ravinder Singh, IAS; Director, Smt. Vimmi Bhullar, IAS; Chairman, Punjab State Backward Classes Commission, Sh. Malkit Singh Thind; Nodal Officer, Department of Social Justice, Sh. Sukhsagar Singh,and other senior officers of the Department were also present.
_____
