New Delhi, May 29 -- The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) raised concerns over the implementation of welfare schemes for SCs in Punjab after a two-day review meeting with senior government officials in Chandigarh.

NCSC chairperson Kishor Makwana said the situation of SCs in Punjab required "urgent corrective steps". The commission flagged multiple issues, including irregularities in scholarship disbursements, non-implementation of central welfare schemes, rising school drop-out rates among SC students and gaps in atrocity prevention mechanisms.

"Despite making up over 30% of the state's population, the literacy rate among SCs remains disproportionately low," Makwana said.

The commission is carrying out review meetings at...