Mohali deputy mayor demands posting of General Category Commission chairman, writes to CM Bhagwant Mann
In his letter, he wrote, 'Just as various welfare boards and corporations are formed for other communities and their chairmen and directors are appointed, similarly, the General Category also faces several issues for which the appointment of a Chairman and members is necessary for redressal.'
Deputy Mayor Bedi stated that during the tenure of the Congress government, the 'Punjab State Commission for General Category' was established on December 29, 2021, and Dr Navjot Singh Dahiya was appointed its chairman. However, after the announcement of the Vidhan Sabha elections, the commission's activities came to a halt, and even after three years of the new government, no chairman or member has been appointed, he said.
He mentioned that the problems faced by the General Category whether related to students or senior citizens are not being heard anywhere.
'If a chairman is not appointed immediately, this section will continue to be ignored,' he emphasised.
He said that the commission was set up by Charanjit Singh Channi's government in 2021, but after the Aam Aadmi Party came into power in 2022, it remained merely on paper.
He also said the 'Chief Minister Scholarship Scheme,' started by the Channi government, has also fallen victim to the circumstances. An allocation of Rs 30 crore was made in the 2022-23 budget for this scheme, but no funds were allocated in 2023-24, and the scheme was quietly scrapped.
During a Cabinet sub-committee meeting, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Cabinet Ministers Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Aman Arora assured to restart the scheme, but no action has been taken so far.
Bedi said that despite the government appointing officials for several other commissions and boards, the General Category is still being ignored. He demanded that immediate action be taken in this regard and a chairman be appointed without delay, so that the General Category does not feel disheartened by the government.
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