S S Bloeria for enhancing, integrating scholarships in J

Srinagar, Sep 20 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to integrate, rationalise and enhance the existing scholarships upto 10+2 level and make a substantial increase in the scholarship rate for girl students.

An official spokesman said a concept paper is being prepared by Social Welfare department for the approval of the State Administrative Council (SAC).

The objective is to improve the scholarship delivery system, make it more beneficial for the students of under privileged class and encourage female literacy, he said.

He said the matters to this effect were discussed at a high-level meeting of the officers of Social Welfare and Education Departments held under the Chairmanship of Advisor to Governor, Dr S S Bloeria here today.

The meeting discussed issues relating to the merger of various scholarships to make delivery system hassle free, uniform and with one criteria.

It was decided in the meeting that the scholarships given under various categories would henceforth be disbursed among the students in two instalments, first in the September and second in the month of March every year.

He said it was informed that the Social Welfare Department at present provides different types of scholarships to about 4.40 lakh students belonging to different categories, including scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, OBC, physically challenged students, children of sweepers.

An amount of Rs 60.40 crore is being spent annually for this purpose.

The meeting also undertook a comprehensive review of various types of pensions being provided by Social Welfare Department to destitute, widows, old age people and handicapped people.

It was decided to enhance diet charges for the inmates of various Bal Ashrams, Nari-Nikatans, Gujjar and Bakerwal Hostels, Pahari Speaking People (PSP) Hostels run under the control of Social Welfare Department.

It was also decided to involve the Management Faculties of both Kashmir and Jammu Universities to get critical evaluation of ICDS Programmes being implemented by the Social Welfare Department.

The Advisor underlined the need to check drop out rate in the schools especially of girl students, adding that there should be enhanced rate of scholarships for girl students.

He called for judicious disbursement of grants under various social welfare schemes to provide maximum benefit to the poor and under privileged people.

He stressed on conducting a fresh survey to identify actual number of physically handicapped destitutes in the state.

UNI BAS MYK SB HT1315