Shabbir Ali writes to KCR over delay in scholarships for minority students

Leader of Opposition Mohammed Ali Shabbir has written a letter to Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao over the delay in release of funds for Overseas Study Scheme, Fee Reimbursement and Scholarships for students of Minority communities.

Shabbir Ali said none of the 228 candidates, who were selected for Overseas Study Scheme, were paid the first installment of Rs. 5 lakh. He said all the students have joined foreign universities on the assurance that the first installment of Rs. 5 lakh would be paid to them by November 10. However, the officials have been delaying the payment by imposing new conditions. The students, who are now in the campuses of foreign universities, are being asked to submit an affidavit on the genuinity of their certificates. Stating that the students were selected by the State Government only after verifying their certificates, he said the students would be forced to seek the help of Indian Embassies to send an affidavit.

Shabbir Ali said of Rs. 25 crore allocated for the Overseas Study Scheme, Rs. 12.50 crore have been sanctioned based on number of selected candidates. Of this, only Rs. 11 crore has been released to District Minorities Welfare Officers to deposit the same in students’ accounts.

Similarly, Shabbir Ali said thousands of students have been suffering due to non-receipt of Post Matric Scholarships and Fee Reimbursement dues. “For the year 2014-15, the State Government has allocated Rs. 425 crore for Fee Reimbursement and Rs. 100 crore for Scholarships. However, so far, the colleges have been paid Rs. 85.54 crore in two installments towards Fee Reimbursements while only Rs. 23 crore have been released towards Scholarships,” he said.

The Congress leader urged KCR to hold a review meeting on the issue as he holds the portfolio of Minorities Welfare. (INN)