This document summarizes Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2661, answered on August 5, 2025, regarding hostels for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) students in Punjab.
**Key Findings:**
* **Hostel Construction in Punjab:** No proposals for hostel construction for SC, ST, or OBC students were received from the Punjab State Government in the last two years.
* **Pending Proposals (National):** Two proposals for SC student hostels (one for boys and one for girls) at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, are currently under review. No other proposals are pending from other States/Union Territories as per scheme guidelines. No proposals for OBC student hostels are pending.
* **Funding:** No funds were released to Punjab for SC/ST hostel construction in the last two financial years or the current financial year. However, ₹112.5 lakh was released to Punjab in the current financial year (2025-26) for OBC hostels.
* **Additional Coaching:** The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PMAJAY) scheme, under which hostel construction funds are released, does not include provisions for additional coaching or academic support for hostel residents.
* **Minister Responding:** Shri Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, provided the answer.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The central government ministry responsible for matters related to social justice and empowerment.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the unstarred question was raised.
Punjab: A state in India, specifically mentioned as the area of focus for hostel construction.
Scheduled Castes (SC): A group of historically disadvantaged communities recognized by the Indian Constitution.
Scheduled Tribes (ST): A group of historically disadvantaged indigenous communities recognized by the Indian Constitution.
Other Backward Classes (OBC): A group of communities identified as socially and educationally disadvantaged.
Ramdas Athawale: Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: A central university located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, which has submitted proposals for hostel construction.
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PMAJAY): A government scheme for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes, which includes a hostel component.
S;Hffi3i[;tTTi'p
MINI srRy oF ,*ERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2661
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2025
HOSTELS FOR SC/ST STIIDENTS IN PIINJAB
266I. SHRI MALVINDER SINGH KANG:
Wiil the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of hostels constructed for the students belonging to Scheduled
castes, Schedule Tribes and other Backward classes in the state of Punjab during the last two
years;
(b) the number of proposals for construction of hostels which are pending in the country, State-
wise;
(c) the details of firnds allocated, released and utilised for the said hostels during the last two
years and the current financial year; and
(d) the details of the new additional coaching arrangement made for the students staying in the
hostel?
AI\SWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)
of
(a): During the last two years, no proposals have been received from the State Government
punjab for censtruction of hostels for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other
Backward Classes (OBC).
(b): For Scheduled caste (SC) students, two proposals for construction of Hostels (one boys' and
one girls,) pertaining to Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (Central University),
Lucknow, Uttar pradesh have been recently received in the Department. Other than these, no
other proposals received from StateAjnion Territory as per Scheme guidelines are pending'
For Other Backward Class (OBC) students, there are no proposals pending, as received from the
States as per the scheme guidelines.
(c): No funds have been released to the State of Punjab for construction of hostels for Scheduled
castes and Soheduled rribes during the last two financial years as well as the current financial
year. However, for hostels meant for other Backward classes, an amount of tll2'5 lakh has
been released to the State Government of Punjab during the current financial yeat2025-26, while
no funds were released in the preceding two years
(d): Under the Hostel component of Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana
(pMAJAy) scheme, funds are released for construction & maintenance of hostels' There is no
provision for additional coaching or academic support arrangements for students residing in
hostel constnrcted under the Hostel component of PM-AJAY scheme.
*****