Srinagar, Feb 3: The Government of India’s much-hyped Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir (SSSJ&K) seems to have failed to yield the desired results on ground, especially in view of the oft-repeated complaints by students that the scheme was an “utter failure.”
 On Sunday, scores of parents of students, who had applied under the scheme since its start in 2011, protested at Press Enclave in Srinagar, accusing Government of India of “failing to deliver on its promises.”
 The scheme was launched in 2011 with an aim to benefit 5000 poor and meritorious students of J&K, who are studying in various colleges and universities outside the State.
 The protesters said even after six months of admission of their wards, they are yet receive the promised money under the scheme. “The consultancy services of Government of India told us that soon after admitting our wards in the approved colleges and universities, we will be provided necessary grants,” they said. “But our children are yet to receive the amount. We applied only after we were promised scholarship. The children are yet to get the scholarship amount or tuition fee.”
 The parents urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and get the issue resolved.
 Pertinently, Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir (SSSJ&K) was launched by the Department of Higher Education GoI from the academic year 2011-2012. A panel led by Chairman, Economic Council, Dr C Rangrajan, constituted in 2010 for recommending enhancing job opportunities in unemployment-ridden J&K had suggested that State should be given 5000 free scholarships to students of J&K for five years beginning 2011-2012, varying from 30,000 to 3 lakh per annum.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 3 Feb 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
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