Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Sept, 04
Accusing the Social Welfare Deptt of delay and deny over release of scholarships to SC students on frivolous pretexts, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh JKNPP Chairman and Former Minister today sought the intervention of the Advisor concerned so as ensure timely disbursement of the same to the eligible students.
He said that as per the prevalent practice the scholarships to eligible SC youth were being given upon the certification of the Heads of institutions in which the concerned students were studying. He regretted the unilateral change in criteria by the Social Welfare Deptt for release of such grants in favour of SC students by prescribing additional formalities for the purpose which seemed wholly unjustified.
Mr. Harsh Dev Singh disclosed that several institutions were declined SC scholarships for their students in Ramnagar and Udhampur by Social Welfare Deptt until and unless they produced State Subjects, SC Certificates, Aadhar Card, Ration Card and Income Certificate of each and every claimant student.
He said that this was unprecedented development which had caused huge resentment amongst such deprived classes in view of difficulties in availing all such certificates.
He said that with the students, getting a meagre scholarship of Rs. 400-500, they had to spend Rs. 4000-5000 for preparation of the said certificates which was most unfair and unjustified. Not only that the Social Welfare Deptt was reportedly demanding State Subjects despite the same having become redundant after Art 370 abrogation which defied all logic and rationale, said Singh.
Urging upon the higher authorities to restore the earlier practice of releasing such scholarships on the basis of certificates issued by Principals and Headmasters, Mr. Singh said that any delay in the process could adversely impact the pursuit of education by the affected students.
He sought early action in the matter in the larger interests of the students of deprived and marginalized sections of society. He said that the Panthers Party strongly condemned the harassment of SC students by unscrupulous officers.
