New Delhi (06.07.2011): Sharique Ansar, National Secretary, Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) in a meeting today appraised Dheeraj Kumar, Director of Scholarships, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India about the various problems that the students face while availing the Minority Scholarship scheme.

In a letter submitted to the Director, issues pertaining to general awareness amongst the masses and the distribution of sanctioned amount have been pointed as the key problems. Speaking about the loopholes and bottle necks in the distribution process, the Director acknowledged that more transparency was the call of the moment for the benefit of the minority students. He further informed SIO that proposals are under the plan to implement societal cooperation in social audit of the scheme.

SIO has demanded that a uniform calendar throughout the country be maintained regarding the scheme. While discussing about the application format a more lucid application form has been demanded alongwith less documentation which incurs heavy amount, thereby weakening the very objective of the scheme. SIO also demanded that the maintenance allowance sanctioned under the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scheme be increased so as to facilitate the students with their daily needs of education. Regarding Merit-cum-Means, SIO has demanded that courses such as BCA and B.Ed be included in the professional list as they incur heavy fees and the amounts sanctioned under the Post-Matric scheme do not suffice the required fees.

The Director assured the representatives that he would take the concerns seriously and try to resolve them at the earliest. He said that the Department is committed to its task and would seek cooperation from all sections of the community to help in implementing the schemes.

Shaikh Shoaib, National Secretary accompanied Sharique Ansar in the meeting.