Punjab Government has committed the economic upliftment of backward classes in the State by providing them financial assistance for self-employment activities at lower rate of interest. Backfinco was setup for this purpose by state government.

This was disclosed by a spokesman of Punjab government said that Backfinco would disburse the loans amounting Rs. 28 crore during the financial year. He said that the eligible applicant whose annual family income would less than Rs. 39500/- in rural area and Rs. 54500/- in urban areas. The applicant should belong to either backward class, notified by state government of minority as notified by the Govt. of India. Age should be between 18 to 55 years. The beneficiaries should be a resident of Punjab State.

He said that Backfinco would implementing this scheme in collaboration with National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation ( NBCFDC) and National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation ( NMDBFC) to promote the economic development of backward classes notified by state government and Minorities notified by government of India as per the financing Pattern 85% of the project cost as term loan is provided by the national corporation, 10 % is contributed by State Government as margin money and remaining 5 % by the beneficiaries.

He further said that National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation ( NBCFDC) has introduced education loan scheme for the candidates belonging to backward classes for pursuing professional and technical courses at Graduate and above level. The maximum loan limit is Rs. 5 lac and rate of interst is 4 percent per annum.

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SUKHBIR WRITES TO PM- SEEKS PROTECTION AND ANONYMITY

TOWITNESSES OF SAJJAN/TYTLER CASES

• Seeks Constitution of SIT besides Day to Day Trial
• Framing of Charges against Sajjan a big milestone
• Akali Dal to Continue to Struggle Till Sajjan, Tytler and Other accused given exemplary Punishment

Chandigarh, May 29

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today appealed to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for providing security to all witnesses in Sajjan Kumar and Tytler in ’84 anti Sikh carnage cases besides their relocation to a safer and anonymous location. Mr. Badal also demanded immediate constitution of Special Investigation Team (SIT) under an ADGP rank IPS officer of impeccable integrity, to re-probe Tytler cases besides day- to- day trial in all ’84 anti Sikh carnage cases.

In a communiqué to Prime Minister, Akali Dal President expressed satisfaction over important milestone achieved in framing charges against Sajjan Kumar, after prolonged and sustained struggle by Shiromani Akali Dal and others. He pointed out in the latter that witnesses who stood their ground and dared to depose against powerful and mighty for 25 long years, were expressing fear that they may be physically harmed or even eliminated, to scuttle the sure shot conviction of Sajjan Kumar. He brought to the notice of Prime Minister that during 25 years long period of trial number of witnesses have been lured, coerced, forced, emotionally threatened to retract their deposition against Sajjan and Tytler. Mr. Badal pointed out that all the witnesses had expressed apprehensions about their physical safety as they have been receiving threats especially since the case against Sajjan Kumar got momentum.

Reiterating the demand of Sikh community for constitution of Special Investigation Team(SIT) on the pattern of Gujarat riot case, Mr. Badal said reinvestigation in all cases of Jagdish Tytler’s involvement was necessary to give the feel of justice to Sikh community. He said that even Congress MPs from Punjab claimed that they have already met you endorsing our demand for SIT and day to day trial in all ’84 riot cases.

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal pointed out that security of the witnesses was more important as accused had the history of influencing witnesses and was roaming free after getting bail from High Court. He said that if witnesses in Best Bakery case and 26/11 case could be provided security fearing harm to their life, why government was mum on in providing security to 25 years old anti Sikh carnage case.

Akali Dal President opined that framing of charges after in a carnage case, where 7000 Sikhs were butchered in brought day light, showed a distant ray of hope of justice in 25 year long dark tunnel. He said that it was imperative for the Union government to seize this opportunity for ensuring conviction of guilty and justice to the victims in these cases.

Reiterating the stand of Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr. Badal said that the Party would continue its struggle till Sajjan, Tytler and all other accused in the ’84 riot cases were given exemplary punishment.

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