New Delhi: A delegation of over 20 students from Jammu and Kashmir called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh here today and sought his intervention for some of their issues and grievances related to Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS).
The students, most of them studying in different professional years in the Mewar University, complained that there were certain discrepancies from time to time which had led to faulty/untimely disbursal of the scholarship money. In addition, the things had got further complicated due to uncertain conditions cropping up in the Kashmir Valley from time to time like, for example, floods in 2014 and a spell of violent turmoil this year.
In a memorandum submitted to Dr Jitendra Singh, it was pointed out that there is no instance for seeking approval under Section 12(b) of UGC Act for the purpose of granting scholarship. Their documents have been checked and verified by AICTE. However, on account of non-disbursal of the scholarship money, they complained of hardship because a sizeable number of them belonged to socially and economically backward sections including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The students urged Dr Jitendra Singh to take up their case with the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MoHRD) and AICTE and pursue it to process the pending applications of scholarship so that they may continue their studies in the university in which they are admitted and be able to meet the expenses of lodging, boarding, tuition fees, books etc.
Dr Jitendra Singh said he would forward their representation to Union Minister for Human Resource Development and also discuss with him as to what possibly can be done to help them.
