Centre sends directive to states, union territories on post-matric scholarships

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment directed educational institutions across states and union territories to extend the deadline of depositing fees of the post-matric scholarship for the Scheduled Caste students.

The directive instructs the institutions to extend the date till the amount has been transferred to the students' bank accounts. This comes after SC students complained of institutions denying admission due to delay in fee payments.

In May, the government had revised the norms of the scheme under which the fees will be deposited directly to the bank accounts of the students. The scheme provides financial assistance to SC students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary level in India. The states release the scholarship amount and the fees amount is given to the institution and the maintenance amount to the students.

There were complaints that there was embezzlement of funds by private and government institutions who charged fees from the students. The revised norms state that the states and UTs will frame modalities on timely release of scholarship to students' accounts which they will pass on to the institution.

"In this connection suitable instruction may be issued to the effect that the concerned institution may verify the eligibility criteria of SC students for award of PMS-SC scholarship and if found eligible the date for depositing the fee for such SC students may be extended till scholarship amount is transferred to his or her account," reads the directive.

The institutions may take assurance from students whose fees are pending that they will deposit the fees as soon as they receive it in their account, the letter said.