Raju, Abdullah assure improvisation in J-K scholarship scheme

Amid concerns over proper implementation of a scholarship scheme for Jammu and Kashmir students, Union ministers M M Pallam Raju and Farooq Abdullah today assured further "improvisation" in the programme and better disbursement mechanism.
They also stressed on raising awareness about the programme, the lack of which has resulted in fewer students availing it since its launch a couple of years ago.
Talking to students from the state at a workshop here who complained that the scholarship amount was not reaching their institutes and many were being deprived of availing its benefit despite fulfilling criteria, Raju said the issues would be examined.

Higher Education Secretary Ashok Thakur said the students should directly get in touch with the HRD Ministry and the AICTE rather than through intermediaries or any other agencies which have no role in its execution.
There were increased number of complains against the NGOs who allegedly played spoilsport with the scheme.
The programme entails awarding of 5000 scholarships every year over the next five years to students enrolling for engineering, medical or general course outside the state.

Hearing to the complaints of some students who had done their plus-two from outside the state and hence could not avail the scheme, Raju assured them of looking into their problems, saying "we will see what we can do".

He said the issues would be put before the inter- ministerial committee looking into the implementation and monitoring of the programme.
However, he said, "We will make improvisations in the scheme. I am sure as awareness grows we would be able to fill all the seats," he said.
On demand for raising the number of students availing the scheme, he said the matter should be left to the council to decide.
Problems encountered by the applicants while filling online and mistakes committed came to fore during the interaction, with Abdullah requesting them to be cautious as it dealt with their future.

Noting that lack of awareness was coming in the way of successful implementation of the programme, he said he would ask the state government to ensure students in far-flung areas are not deprived of its benefits.
"Let us hold a principals meeting in colleges and tell them to help students to fill up the forms. Study hard and make your own career. There is no question of any other way," he said.