Launching the distribution of scholarships to over 2.7 lakh Scheduled Caste (SC) students at the PAP Ground in Jalandhar, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the ₹271 crore post-matric scholarship under the ‘Mission Rangla Punjab’ campaign reflects a fundamental shift in the priorities of the regime, adding that while the Congress, Akali and BJP remained preoccupied with family interests, the AAP has completely focused on securing the future of Punjab’s children.
Highlighting the 35 per cent increase in beneficiaries since 2020-21, the Chief Minister said this increase is the result of genuine education reforms, and not symbolism, and stressed that scholarships are not mere financial aid, but a tool of self-reliance, rectifying years of systemic neglect in which delays and diverted funds had prevented students from even appearing for examinations.
Sharing excerpts from the event on the occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said: “Today at the PAP Ground in Jalandhar, scholarships were distributed to Scheduled Caste students, marking the beginning of the distribution 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 per cent. 2024-25. This scholarship is not just a financial aid but an effort to make students self-reliant. The effort is to ensure that no child is deprived of education or forced to give up his dreams.
Addressing students at a scholarship distribution ceremony, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “From scams to ‘Punjab Shine’, post-matric scholarship has become a powerful instrument of social change. This ambitious scheme has given wings to the dreams of lakhs of Scheduled Caste students pursuing higher education,” the beneficiaries present at the venue said to thunderous applause.
Recalling the period between 2017 and 2020, the Chief Minister said the scheme had virtually come to a standstill, due to which educational institutions had to withhold degrees from students. He said, “A scam took place under this scheme and every Punjabi was distressed by it. The then minister in-charge of the department betrayed his own community by illegally withdrawing the funds meant for the education of children from weaker sections.”
Emphasizing the transformative power of education, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Education is the only key to changing the fortunes of the weaker and deprived sections. Unfortunately, successive governments deliberately kept these students away from books. Today, our government is giving them a chance to realize their dreams and achieve excellence in life.” Congratulating the parents, he said that their sacrifice and hard work is the real source of inspiration for the students to move forward through education.
The Chief Minister recited Sant Ram Udasi’s poem Maghada Rahin Ve Surja Kamiyaan De Vehre from the stage. “This poem is very close to my heart and has always inspired people to believe in hard work,” he said, urging the youth to stay grounded, set clear goals and pursue them with dedication, because only hard work leads to success.
Welcoming the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the objective of the function is to spread the light of education in every corner of Punjab. “This scheme reflects our government’s commitment to social justice and is based on Babasaheb Ambedkar’s belief that education is the most powerful weapon to eliminate social inequality,” he said.
Highlighting the impact of the scheme, the Chief Minister said that it is enabling students to change their destiny and contribute to making India a global leader. He said, “The objective is to connect economically weaker Scheduled Caste students with higher education. The scheme is for families with annual income less than Rs 2.50 lakh and is being implemented with complete transparency in Punjab.”
Sharing key achievements, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of beneficiaries. There is a 35 per cent increase in beneficiaries in 2024-25 as compared to 2020-21.” He said the budget has been increased from ₹245 crore to ₹271 crore, underlining that it is the duty of the Punjab government to ensure the well-being of every section of the society.
“For the first time, bio-authentication has been made mandatory for students, heads of institutions and nodal officers to prevent fraud,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that a new accountability system has been started on the Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Portal. He reiterated, “Post-Matric Scholarship is not just financial aid. It is a path to self-reliance. We are strongly committed to ensure that the dream of any talented child does not remain unfulfilled due to lack of money.”
Linking this initiative to the philosophy of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that education has been kept at the center of governance. He said, “No free or concessional card can eliminate poverty or social evils. Education alone can break this vicious cycle by raising the standard of living.” He said that the government is making tireless efforts to improve the quality of education to empower the common people.
He said, “The Punjab government is simultaneously rejuvenating the education and health sectors. Schools of Eminence have been established across Punjab, equipped with smart classrooms, modern laboratories and playgrounds. Teachers and principals are being sent abroad for special training to acquaint them with modern teaching practices and prepare students for global competition.”
Expressing pride, the Chief Minister said that Punjab has secured the top position in the National Achievement Survey, leaving Kerala behind. “Government schools have become temples of the modern age, brightening the lives of thousands of youth,” he said. He said that students are being provided coaching for armed forces preparation, competitive exams like NEET, JEE, CLAT and NIFT.
He said that it is a matter of happiness that students of government schools have qualified for JEE Mains, JEE Advanced and NEET. Referring to the healthcare reforms, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Under the Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana, cashless treatment up to Rs 10 lakh is being provided to all 65 lakh families of Punjab, including government employees and pensioners, without any income condition.”
Saying that Punjab has become the first state to provide free healthcare to all citizens, he said 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics were offering free treatment daily. He said that in the last four years, 63,027 government jobs were given in a transparent manner without bribe or recommendation. “By 2022, 90 per cent of households are getting free electricity and for the first time, farmers are getting more than eight hours of uninterrupted electricity during the paddy season,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that out of 18,349 water sources, 6,900 km have been revived to provide water to the last mile. He said that after celebrating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the government will also celebrate the upcoming 650th Prakash Purb of Guru Ravidas Ji on a large scale with several programs being planned across the state.
Taking a dig at traditional political parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “They are unable to digest the fact that a common man’s son is ruling Punjab effectively. People have lost faith in these parties because of their anti-people and anti-Punjab approach. They were more concerned about their own families than about Punjab and Punjabis, which is why they have been shown the door.”
On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Dr. Baljeet Kaur also addressed the gathering.
The beneficiary students shared emotional things. Dilpreet Singh, studying MBBS, thanked CM Bhagwant Singh Mann for “transforming Dilpreet Singh into Dr. Dilpreet” and said words fell short to express his gratitude. Harshita, a BA LLB student, said that the scheme has made her dreams a reality and has proved that the government keeps its promises.
Surasangam Kaur said the scholarship has given wings to her aspirations, while Dilpreet Singh of Lamarin Skill University said the scheme played a decisive role despite the weak financial condition of his family. Nawansh Sidhu of DIPS College, Dhilwan said that he comes from a simple background and his dreams have come true through this initiative, he thanked the Chief Minister for the visionary step to support the underprivileged students.
Prominent dignitaries present included Cabinet Ministers Hardeep Singh Mundian and Mohinder Bhagat, Lok Sabha MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal, Rajya Sabha MP Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, MLA Balkar Singh, Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank Chairman Pawan Tinu, Punjab State Safai Karmachari Commission Chairman Chandan Grewal and others.
