The students of Indira College of Engineering and Management, belonging to the backward class (BC), are a worried lot. About 10 engineering students falling in SC/ ST/ DT/ NT/ OBC categories could not fill their examination forms on Friday, as the state social welfare department (SWD) failed to disburse the amount under the state government’s freeship scheme.
Friday was the last day of filling up the forms for the May examination. Under the scheme, the state government takes care of the fees of these students with amount depending on their performance and course.
The college authorities told these hapless students that they cannot fill the forms as the freeship has not been deposited.
The students have to now pay the fees from their own pockets, along with a fine. The college will reimburse the amount after the SWD releases the fund.
The institute’s vice-principal, Shreedhar Dev, told DNA that it is difficult to run the institute unless the students pay the fees. “Many of the students have paid a part of the amount,” he said.
Some college authorities said that the affected students should have intimated the institution about the SWD delay in disbursing the amount and need additional time to pay the fee.
“The SWD officials should be more sympathetic towards our cause,” an affected student said.
Admitting the delay in releasing funds, SWD divisional officer, SB Bhamare, could not explain the delay. “We have Rs5 crore to be disbursed under the freeship scheme. If there is any problem, we would take corrective steps immediately,” he said.
The department has so far distributed Rs85 crore under the scheme for BC students.
However, the students later informed the media that the college administration had agreed to allow the students to pay their exam fee till April 10 without fine.
