In a significant relief to thousands of economically distressed Dalit families, the Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday gave its approval to waive off loans worth ₹67 crore that 4,750 beneficiaries had taken from the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressing the media following the Cabinet meeting, said that these families had been struggling for years to get their loans written off, with many facing insurmountable difficulties in repayment. “They had been running from pillar to post for a long time. Previous governments ignored their genuine concerns,” he remarked.
The announcement follows a commitment made by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema during the presentation of the state Budget for 2025–26 in March, where he had proposed the waiver as part of a broader effort to support marginalized communities in the state.
“This decision reflects our government’s resolve to stand by the underprivileged. While many of these families were unable to repay the loans due to financial hardship, it is noteworthy that the overall loan recovery rate of the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development Corporation remains robust at over 84%,” Cheema added, who was present alongside the Chief Minister during the press interaction.
The move has been widely welcomed by social organizations and is expected to provide much-needed financial relief to thousands of Dalit households across the state.