BHOPAL: Engineering students of
Rajiv Gandhi Professional University (
RGPV) have been told to go to villages, spread the word on
government schemes, and get feedback. In fact, this will be their first task after the new session opens.
Under MHRD’s
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, students have been asked to visit five villages and collect information on national schemes for a database that will be sent to the Centre. RGPV — the affiliating university of all engineering colleges in Madhya Pradesh — has drawn up a list of 100 students for the survey. They will be given forms to record exhaustive details on the families they visit, and it has to be done in a prescribed format.
“Students have voluntarily joined the survey, which will be held from June 11-15. Students will visit around 700 families,” said Savita Vyas, RGPV’s scheme coordinator.
The students will have to ask villagers their caste (to classify them as SC/ST or general category), collect Aadhaar card information, bank account details, marital status, and MNREGA work done, if any. They will also ask if villagers are getting benefits of 17 central government schemes — like PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Ujjawal Yojana, Mudra Yojana and PM Jivan Jyoti Yojana.
Many of the students TOI spoke to are baffled by the decision and are against it. “We are engineering students, not surveyors,” one of them said. Citing that they took admission to study and not go around asking people about government schemes, another student added, “We have a very rigorous academic schedule. We are not government employees.”
An RGPV survey team member said the university has promised them if they go on this survey, it will be taken into consideration during exams. “We were assured that better grades will be given and there will be relaxation in attendance,” said a team member. Officials denied this. RGPV vice-chancellor Dr Sunil Gupta said this survey is the best way to understand villages and their problems. “Students who are uncomfortable with the scheme have not understood it. Gradually, they will realise how it will help them work for needy people,” said Gupta.