KNB News Desk
Srinagar 14 April (KNB): Several students, who had successfully applied for the Post-Metric scholarship provided by the Ministry of Minorities, have only received less than half of the sanctioned scholarship amount.
Several students reached out to Kashmir News Bureau and said that the Ministry had sanctioned Rs 13,600 for one semester under the Post Metric Scholarship to OBC students, but they have only received Rs 6332 only so far.
A student, studying at private institution said, “My fee for three semesters is 1 Lakh 20 Thousand; that is 40 thousand for one semester, which is almost complete now and the sum money that has been deposited in my account is less than the half of what I was supposed to get.”
“Government has been making big promises when it comes to supporting students and youth and even now, they are making tall claims that money in abundance is being sanctioned under several schemes but on ground the reality is very disappointing,” he added.
Another student told news agency Kashmir News Bureau that, “We are not complaining about the amount (13,600) that has been sanctioned by the Govt. It is fine, at least something but now only a half of it has been given to us.”
He complained that most of the students received complete amount and only some have been deprived of it.
Kashmir News Bureau tried several times to contact Director Social Welfare, Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad Dar but he did not respond to our calls.
Moreover, Assistant Director, Social Welfare Kashmir, Najeeb latif told KNB that there were not sufficient funds available for every registered student.
Latif said, “The funds allotted by the Govt. were less this year. We have provided complete funds to those students in Government institutions but for those studying in private institutions we couldn’t do the same.”
He added that they did not have enough funds for all the students.
“There were too many applications this year and the funds for students (in private institutions) had to be proportionately divided,” Latif said, adding, “we took this step so that no student is left out. We made sure that if not full but at-least 40-45% amount should be received by every student.”
Najeeb further said that the department has also intimated the concerned authority about the requirement of funds and if that is approved, we will accordingly deposit it to the students who had only received 40-45% of the sanctioned amount. (KNB)