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Punjab orders release of post-matric SC scholarships by October-end
Chandigarh, Oct 1 (IANS) With some private universities and institutes refusing to admit students from Scheduled Castes (SC) category owing to non-payment of dues by Punjab government for over three years, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday ordered the release of post-matric scholarships for such students for 2015-16 by month-end.
Amarinder Singh has issued “strict directives for completion of the process of disbursement of scholarship by the year-end. He warned of strict action against private institutions denying admission to SC students on account of non-payment of scholarships,” the Chief Minister’s Spokesperson said here on Monday following a meeting.
The directives came at a meeting following the completion of audit of scholarship disbursement for 2015-16, the Spokesperson said.
The private institutions had stopped admitting SC/BC students for want of release of scholarship grant by the government.
They had claimed that it was impossible for the institutions to take the education cost burden of such students in view of limited resources.
Amarinder Singh asked SC/BC Welfare Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot to hold a meeting with representatives of private institutions and ask them not to put any student to inconvenience due to delayed payment of scholarships on account of ongoing financial audit, as the state government was already in the process of streamlining the disbursements.
The Chief Minister has asked the Finance Department to release pending Rs 100 crore for 2015-16 on account of post-matric SC scholarship to private Institutions by October-end.
He also asked the Welfare Department to complete disbursement of scholarships by December 31 to ensure timely payment of the Centre’s share towards the scheme.
“The Chief Minister directed the Principal Secretary (Welfare) to take up the review of revised government of India guidelines on post-matric scholarships, which will eventually burden the state with an additional Rs 720 crore,” the Spokesperson added.
The Chief Minister said that he will again request the Prime Minister to resolve the issue, keeping in view the state’s dismal financial position in general, and for securing the future of SC students in particular.
The scholarship for SC students is implemented with central assistance so as to provide them help in doing post-matriculation and post-secondary courses.
Under the post-matric scheme, SC students whose parents’ income is less than Rs 2.50 lakh a year can apply whereas the limit for BC category students is less than Rs 1 lakh a year.
The students from these categories are eligible for pursuing higher education in various courses throughout the country after matriculation.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.