A multi-crore scam has been reported in the post-matric scholarship scheme for Scheduled Castes (SC) in Punjab. The Central government is planning to bring a single national scholarship scheme by merging all the current scholarship schemes.
Post Matric Scholarship for SCs:
It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2006. It is implemented through State government and Union Territory administration.
The Scheme provides financial assistance to the Scheduled Caste (SC) students studying at post matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education.
The scholarship is available for studies in India only and is paid to the students whose guardians’ income is below Rs. 2,50,000 per annum .
Single National Scholarship Scheme:
The Central government is contemplating setting up a single national scholarship scheme called PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI) for meritorious students which will absorb all the existing scholarship schemes.
Beneficiary: Students in the Other Backward Class (OBC), SC, Denotified, Nomadic and semi-Nomadic Tribe (DNT) and Economically Backward Caste (EBC) categories will be able to avail the national scholarship.
Implementing Agency: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been tasked to implement the Scheme by conducting a merit test.
Benefits of Single National Scholarship Scheme:
It will increase the reach of information about the govt scholarships. Boost the importance of maintaining a basic curriculum and teaching standards across the country. Help improve the quality and implementation of scholarships. In case a student misses the deadline of scholarship, he will not get a second chance to apply for other scholarships. The national-level scholarship exam would become an added burden on students.
Having a separate exam for identifying merit is redundant as already students are appearing for board examinations and entrance examinations. If the existing pre-matric and post-matric scholarship schemes are done away with, it could end up hampering the education of students.The single national scholarship scheme under PM-YASASVI can be beneficial only if it is implemented properly. Without correct implementation, it can become a hindrance rather than a help for students in India.The government should leverage the experience of scholarship provider platforms while developing this new scholarship scheme as they have a first-hand experience of supporting students.
What is the scam ?
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh Saturday ordered a thorough probe into the alleged involvement of a state cabinet minister in the Rs 64-crore Dalit scholarship scam that has caused a political controversy. Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan will look into all aspects of the case, and anyone found involved, irrespective of the person’s position within or outside the government, would be penalised and punished in accordance with the legal provisions, said the chief minister. Nearly Rs 17 crore was paid to institutions against which the Punjab finance department had recommended recovery of Rs 8 crore following a special audit of the scholarship scheme, thus costing the exchequer Rs 25 crore.
A senior officer involved in the probe said, “It is a scam to cover another scam… The private colleges were doubly benefitted. First, the crores that they owed to the government was written off and then they were given additional grants, which they did not deserve.”
On Friday, Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot told reporters that his government too would look into the allegations made in the report.
