Distribute Laptops to SC-ST Students By December: Social Welfare Minister

BENGALURU: The long wait for laptops for SC/ST students of professional courses could end soon. Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya on Monday issued strict orders to ensure distribution of laptops for students pursuing PhD, PG courses and professional courses like engineering and medicine by December.

Anjaneya, who reviewed the progress of various programmes under the Special Component Plan for SC/STs, claimed that of the `16,322 crore allocated for the programme in the 2014-15 budget, `13,245 crore (81 per cent) has been spent and the remaining amount would be carried forward for full utilisation.

He sought an explanation from officials for the delay in distribution of laptops and asked them to ensure that the laptops are distributed well before the end of the academic year. The department has chalked out plans to provide pucca houses for all homeless SC/ST families before the end of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s term in 2018.

“This year, we are building 1.50 lakh homes for homeless SC/ST families. Next year 2 lakh houses will be built under the Ambedkar Awas Yojana,” he said.

For the current financial year, `16,356 crore had been allocated for SC/ST welfare and all the departments had been given an action plan for spending the amount.

“The progress of implementation will be reviewed next month and the departments that show laxity in implementing the plans will face action. Notice has been issued to the Labour Department for poor performance in 2014-15,” he said.

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