Writeup AP 2011-12 - Punjab State Planning Board

disciplines for the pre production of all literature. The Society will engage team of talented
professionals for such assignments and will also outsource various activities to other agencies
for printing related jobs. The Society will also take up publishing of magazines on behalf of
various other departments, local bodies and other organizations whose work is entrusted to it.
It may take up publication of magazines which would act as authentic source of information
on social issues development programmes and policies, employment opportunities,
educational opportunities, career guidance, etc. all over the state. It will also enroll number
of direct subscribers including local bodies, Panchayati Raj Institutions and send the
literature to various organizations, panchayats, educationists, opinion makers, officers and
other eminent personalities through department’s mailing list which can be updated from
time to time. Production of publicity material including wall newspapers/magazines of the
state government as well as it’s institutions will be published professionally and in time. The
Society will also produce and distribute the supplementary publications and other materials
for the publicity of the welfare and development activities of Government departments,
undertakings, boards, corporations, Panchayati Raj Institutions, cooperative societies,
universities of the State and other autonomous bodies. The Society will take up turnkey
communication solutions from conceptualization to final execution at field level. The
scheme was admitted during revised estimates of 2009-10 with an outlay of Rs. 200.00 lac,
however no expenditure was incurred. Against an approved outlay of Rs. 190.00 lac
provided during 2010-11, an outlay of Rs. 300.00 lac is provided in the Annual Plan 2011-
12.
11.10 WELFARE OF SCHEDULED CASTES AND BACKWARD CLASSES
449
Outlay -Rs. 27504.61 lac
11.10.1 The State of Punjab has the highest %age of Scheduled Caste (SC) population
in the country. As per 2001 census, out of total population of 243.59 lac in the State, SC
population is 70.28 lac which constitutes 28.85%. Majority of SCs continue to live in
unhygienic environment, lacking proper housing and sanitation and are vulnerable to
exploitation. To meet the educational, economic and social needs of scheduled castes, who
are generally poor, illiterate and downtrodden, the state government has been making efforts
to bring perceptible amelioration in the economic and social status of the scheduled castes.
All SC and BPL families get free electricity upto 200 units per month. State government
fully reimburses the cost of free power to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited.