SC scholarship: Return funds given in excess, students told

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 13

Days after the Social Welfare Department disbursed Rs 152 crore among 1.76 lakh students enrolled under the SC Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, officials today clarified that the students would have to return the tuition fee component to their respective colleges.

The scholarships were distributed without clear guidelines on the break-up of the released amount, which comprises the tuition fee that has to be paid to the respective college and the maintenance allowance to be given to the students.

The fresh instructions were issued after the issue was highlighted about the students refusing to return the tuition fee to the colleges.

Thereafter, the management of various colleges approached Social Welfare Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and senior government functionaries.

For academic year 2020-21, Rs 152 crore given to students is the state’s share of 40 per cent under the central scheme, while the remaining 60 per cent share (Rs 229 crore) is to be paid by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. As per the Centre’s scheme, the 60 per cent amount is to be released once the state has disbursed its 40 per cent share. It is learnt that the Centre has already given sanction for disbursal of its 60 per cent share.