Parliamentary Panel Urges Immediate Scholarship Reforms

A parliamentary panel recommends timely disbursal of post-matric scholarships, revising guidelines for family income ceilings, and addressing issues hampering various welfare schemes. It emphasizes utilizing allocated budgets, re-evaluating the welfare framework for senior citizens, and improving existing infrastructure for educational initiatives.

A parliamentary panel has urged the quick disbursal of post-matric scholarships to students, recommending that the guidelines be revised promptly. The Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment, chaired by P C Mohan, emphasized the necessity for scholarships to be available within the academic year to ensure their effective use by students.

The committee criticized the unutilized budget for 2024-25, suggesting that allocated funds for educational schemes should not remain idle. It also advocated for expanding the income ceiling for free coaching and scholarship schemes to encompass more beneficiaries, addressing current inequalities in scheme access.

The panel further recommended enhancing village development programs, creating a dedicated department for senior citizens, and ensuring comprehensive enumeration for disability welfare. Additionally, they called for improved execution of tribal and minority welfare schemes hindered by bureaucratic delays or policy inconsistencies.

(With inputs from agencies.)