JOIN USScores of meritorious students pursuing degree courses have not received the annual scholarship of Rs 10,000 given by the Union Ministry of Human Resources for the last two years.
Interestingly, the scholarship has been deprived to as many as 759 students in Tumkur, Mysore and Dharwad districts, which were recently brought under Direct Benefit Transfer scheme.
The Union Ministry of Human Resources grants an annual scholarship of Rs 10,000 to students who have secured good marks in pre-university course and degree. Students pursuing post-graduation studies are entitled to scholarship of Rs 20,000.
As many as 4,237 students from Karnataka were selected for the scholarship during the year 2011-12. However, except the 759 students (329 in Tumkur district) from these three districts, students in rest of the districts have been getting the scholarship regularly. Meritorious students from poor families are finding it difficult to continue their studies on account of non-payment of scholarship.
“It’s my dream to secure a masters degree from a reputed college. But I hail from a poor family and finding it difficult to pursue studies. I have not received scholarship for the past two years,” said Salman, a resident of Holavanahalli in Koratagere taluk.
The condition of other students is also no better. Some students alleged that they were not getting any response from the Pre-University Department.
“We are told that our applications have been forwarded to New Delhi and the amount would be transferred from the authorities there. Else, they give a phone number of the ministry in New Delhi,” students complained.
The department authorities have their own explanation. “The Union government had released Rs 22 lakh less during the year 2011-12. The department authorities were told that the money will be paid under Direct Benefit Transfer scheme. Hence, the applications were forwarded to the Union Ministry,” Sunanda, an officer of the Department told Deccan Herald. She said the authorities concerned have been requested to clear the file at the earliest in the interest of students.