Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 27: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today held his third monthly video conference under his Pro Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) initiative, with Union Secretaries of various Ministries and Chief Secretaries of States.
Chief Secretary J&K, Iqbal Khandey also participated in the video conference.
In respect of J&K, the Prime Minister reviewed the progress of PM’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) for the students of Jammu and Kashmir and directed for taking the necessary corrective measures and to hold regular consultations for better implementation of the scheme.
Prime Minister directed Union Higher Education Secretary, S Mohanty to share with J&K Government immediately the list of all Colleges approved under 12B of UGC Act, or recognized by AICTE so that aspiring students can know in advance about the UGC certified colleges, their fee structure etc and not get into trouble latter as has been the case.
“Students in J&K should know in advance about the scheme as well as the eligible colleges for availing the benefits of the scholarships under PMSSS. No student will risk his career and it is our duty to ensure that they are well informed and properly counseled”, he said.
Modi also directed Union Higher Education Secretary to communicate to the J&K Chief Secretary and also Joint Secretary in the PMO all the details of the students who are pursuing higher education under the PMSSS in various colleges outside J&K and the status of scholarships disbursed to them.
He also directed Mohanty to ensure that Counseling takes place at both Srinagar and Jammu for the benefit of the students besides asking him to ensure that all students getting benefitted under the scheme are provided Aadhar Cards.
Modi also called for initiating legal action against the NGO allegedly involved in duping the students under PMSSS.
Earlier, Chief Secretary, Iqbal Khandey briefed the Prime Minister about the implementation of PMSSS. He said during 2012-13, around 3520 students had availed PMSSs which drastically dropped to 246 against the target of 5000 per annum.
As per the recommendations of the Expert Group constituted in 2010, PMSSS was designed to provide 5000 scholarships to J&K youth every year for pursuing higher education opportunities in colleges/institutions outside J&K.
Of these, 4500 scholarships are for general degree courses, 250 for Engineering and 250 for Medical courses. The scheme covers cost of tuition, hostel fee, cost of books and other incidental charges.
To oversee the implementation of the scheme, an Inter Ministerial Committee has been constituted which has taken several initiatives to address complaints with regard to the scheme. To address the complaints of inordinate delay in scholarship, the scheme has been brought under the DBT for disbursing scholarships directly into the bank accounts.
Students can now apply directly via online application on AICTE portal aicte-jk-scholarship.in. The students shall be eligible only if they have secured admission through counseling or in college approved under 12B of UGC Act, or recognized by AICTE.
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