Scholarships fail to reach deserving candidates

LUDHIANA: Education is a right in this country, but many meritorious and deserving candidates are unable to enjoy this privilege due to the elaborate procedures in place for availing a scholarship. Though central and state governments have put in a mechanism by which authorities are supposed to extend monetary aid to deserving candidates, the ground reality is something different.Sources say though lists are prepared to categorize students under different categories, the amount allegedly doesn’t reach the district education department to disbursal.
During the last financial year, 10 scholarships were introduced for students but very few reached them. District education officer (secondary) Bichttar Singh said, ‘‘It is not in our hand. We have not introduced these scholarships and whatever money is received, is distributed through schools. It’s correct that we haven’t received any amount under various categories but we have written a letter to the higher officials.’’
Discussing the problems faced during availing of the financial aid, father of a Class X student said, “It is not easy to apply for scholarships. We are asked to submit affidavit, caste certificate, domicile certificate and fulfil so many other formalities. Sometimes, the students keeps waiting for an entire year, and still nothing happens.”
Senior commerce lecturer of PAU Government School Anoop Passi said, ‘‘Yes, even teachers face problems as the money comes in very late and it becomes difficult to distribute it.’’ Suggesting a solution, the teacher added, “Every students must have an account so that the scholarship or stipend is directly deposited in it. There should not be any mediator as the money will reach students faster that ways.”