Chandigarh Administration on Tuesday distributed cash subsidies of Rs 46.35 lakh to a total of 1,384 beneficiaries under eight special schemes identified under the Union Govt.'s ambitious direct cash transfer scheme.

The eight schemes identified by the UT administration are: post-matric scholarship for SC students, pre-matric scholarship for SC students, post-matric scholarship for students with disabilities, post-matric scholarship for OBCs, post-matric scholarship scheme for minorities, merit-cum-means scholarship scheme, and UT merit scholarship.

As per the released figures, 283 SC students received post-matric scholarships, while 890 received pre-matric scholarships also meant for SC students.

Besides, post-matric scholarships meant for OBC and disabled students were given to 16 and 8 students, respectively.

Speaking at the launch of the scheme in the UT, Union Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal claimed that the initiative would prove to be a game changer in future as in terms of moving the benefits to the genuine beneficiaries.

Mr. Bansal added that the food and LPG would also be included in the scheme very soon. Speaking on the topic, he added, "Most of the pilferage and the leakage take place in kerosene and foodgrains distribution. Once that is also included., all that will be plugged."

The Govt. had plans to launch the scheme in 51 districts, but gaps in infrastructure, such as unavailability of bank accounts and beneficiaries, forced the Govt. to scale down the scheme to 20 districts.