“Provide one time exception benefit to the valley-based students admitted in bulk”
Srinagar, Oct 4 (KSNN): It was after The Kashmir Scenario did a cover story on the mess created by various valley-based NGOs in the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) that Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir was today compelled to admit that the complaints against various NGOs would now be probed by the crime department.
The chief minister added that the reports of cheating by some NGOs has defamed the reputation of the scheme and marred the future of various students admitted by these NGOs in some educational institutions without having any authority or any role in this regard.
The Chief Minister was intervening during the reply of questions by Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Ravinder Kumar Sharma and supplementary questions of other Members during the Question Hour in the Upper House.
While maintaining that the NGOs have no role in this scheme, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the state cannot absolve itself of the duty to look into the matter as the career of thousands of students is at stake.
“There is even no role of the State Government in the monitoring or placing of students in educational institutions outside the State. The scheme is completely run by the Union Government. However, the State Government cannot absolve itself of its responsibility towards the people as such the matter of reported cheating by some NGOs has been vehemently taken up with the Central Government,” Omar Abdullah said.
While maintaining that he has written to the prime minister about the matter, Omar Abdullah said that the selection process should be based on the examinations held by the university and NGOs have no role.
“I have written to the prime Minister in this regard urging upon him to grant one time exception to the students who have sought admission in various institutions through NGOs and do not qualify for the scholarship so that their educational career is not marred. I have also emphasized the need of involving the State Government in the implementation of the scheme so that it is run hassle-free ensuring transparency and no chance for fraudulent elements to sneak in and take advantage of any lacuna in this centrally sponsored scheme” Omar told the house.
While maintaining that the scheme provides for getting admission in the educational institutions by the students on their own and if they obtain first five positions in the Entrance Tests held by these institutions, they are only then entitled for scholarship under the SSS, Omar said that that some NGOs and the educational institutions have admitted students in bulk despite the fact that there is a cap placed in the scheme for grant of scholarship to only first five position holders.
“It is as such required for students to ascertain whether they are falling in the first five positions or not before moving ahead to seek admission under SSS”, he elaborated.
The Chief Minister said that PMSSS could prove highly beneficial for the students of the State to seek higher trainings and education in the reputed educational institutions in the Country. However, he underlined the importance of involving the state government in the implementation of the scheme through Higher Education Department so that students are not lead astray by unscrupulous elements and are properly guided for seeking admission and obtaining scholarships provided under the scheme.
Omar said that the matter has already been taken up with the Union Government. He expressed the hope that positive results will be coming soon in this direction.
Meanwhile a few social workers have reacted strongly to the statement of Omar Abdullah saying that the state government fully endorsed the role of the NGOs as their ministers and other leaders were present in the crucial meetings of the NGOs.
“Muhammad Akbar Lone and GN Ratanpuri were present in the meetings of NGOs like JK Peace Foundation and Peoples Forum. The governor of the state himself is the chief patron of JK Peace Foundation. So how can the government say that they have not played any indulgent role in this scheme,” fumed a social worker associated with one of the NGOs.