83% of SC/ST & OBC students yet to get 2024 scholarships: Survey

Bengaluru: A survey by a students' organisation among students of scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, and other backward classes has revealed that around 83% of them are yet to get the scholarship for 2024. Officials in the department attributed this to paucity of funds.
The All India Democratic Students Organisation surveyed 3,000 students. This included those receiving scholarships for SC/ST and backward-cum-minority students. Almost half of the students surveyed were from govt degree colleges, 9% from govt post-graduation, and 7% each from engineering and medical.
As per the survey, 59% of students did not receive scholarships in 2022; 66% in 2023; and 83% in 2024. AIDSO said the issue is majorly with OBC students.
The scholarship amount is funded by both the Centre (60%) and the state (40%). The department of Social Welfare said that they distributed the scholarship amount to 95% of SC/ST students. As per the data, only 6,480 students are yet to receive it this year.
"We do not have sufficient funds. We are waiting for additional central funds. However a large number of students has been covered. Many got what was due to them last year," said an official with the BCW department. As per the official, the funds they currently receive are only half of what is required.
"There are various issues that affect the distribution of scholarships," said another official. "Earlier, the scholarship amount was distributed to educational institutions. The institutions could provide the number of eligible students they have, and the money was reimbursed. However, now the Union govt has become extremely stringent and allows only direct transfer to the students' accounts. The student's Aadhaar-linked bank account has to be functional, and in many cases, it might not. Also, for the reimbursement of the full amount, the attendance of the students has to be updated, which might not be the case many times."
AIDSO held a protest at Freedom Park on Saturday to highlight the issue. "The govt, which gives assurances of financial assistance during school and college admissions, must uphold its promises. If the govt cares about students and claims that the budget is insufficient, then legislators and ministers should contribute their salaries towards student scholarships," said Santosh Hegde, former Lokayukta.