The Society, which runs several schools and colleges, had approached the high court seeking release of dues for students admitted under the scheme for 2017–18 and 2019–20 (Archive)The Punjab and Haryana High Court Monday directed the Punjab and the Union governments to clear all pending scholarship dues for Scheduled Caste (SC) students under the Dr BR Ambedkar Post Matric Scholarship Scheme.A bench of Justice Kuldeep Tiwari, while hearing a plea by Baba Kuma Singh Ji International Charitable Society, said there was “no justifiable reason” to deny the petitioner similar relief granted in an earlier case.The Society, which runs several schools and colleges, had approached the high court seeking release of dues for students admitted under the scheme for 2017–18 and 2019–20. Its counsel, Advocate APS Sandhu contended that the petitioner had fulfilled all obligations under the scheme, but despite repeated reminders and demand notices, the funds were not released.The court noted: “Demand notices pertaining to the arrears, were duly served upon the respondents. Despite this, the respondents have neither considered nor decided the claim, causing financial distress to the petitioner-institution”.Justice Tiwari’s directions follow the framework laid down by a co-ordinate Bench on January 9, 2025, in a similar case. That order had held that disputes between Punjab and the Centre over funding could not be allowed to stall payments to institutions.Quoting the previous ruling, Justice Tiwari wrote: “As the dispute is between the State of Punjab and Government of India and the Institution(s)/University concerned, which are yet to receive the grant under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, a direction is issued to the Chief Secretary of Punjab and the Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment of Government of India to hold a joint meeting to resolve the dispute… within a period of one month from the date of receipt of copy of this order.”The January 9 order further said: “Within a further period of eight weeks of the first meeting, the issue with regard to the payment is to be resolved.” It also warned: “In case, any Institution(s), who has raised the claim for reimbursement of the amount incurred under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, Punjab for Schedules Castes and have not been reimbursed, they will be at liberty to avail appropriate remedy including the initiation of contempt proceedings against the officers of Government of India as well as the Government of Punjab.”Story continues below this adAppearing for Union government, Advocate Gurmeet Kaur Gill informed the court that the January 9 order has been challenged in letter patent appeals (plea by a petitioner against an order of an individual judge) pending before a bench. Justice Tiwari, noting that “no interim stay has been granted,” held that the directions continue to apply.“In the absence of any stay, the directions contained therein remain in force. Therefore, the petitioner is entitled to the same relief,” the judge observed.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Punjab and Haryana High Court