Question : Online Applications for Scholarships to SC and OBC Students

(a) whether the Union Government has urged the States to seek online applications for scholarships to SC and OBC students so as to weed out students tapping multiple schemes for financial help and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the States are also being urged to disburse scholarships through direct beneficiary transfer mode and if so, the details thereof along with the status of implementation by the States; and

(c) the extent to which direct beneficiary transfer mode has helped in speedy disbursement of scholarships to the eligible students as well as ensuring transparency and accountability?

MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT)


(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


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Statement referred in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 174 for answer on 14-03-2017 by Smt. V. Sathya Bama regarding ‘Online Applications for Scholarships to SC and OBC Students’

(a) to (c): Yes Madam; As per the directions of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to States and Union Territory Administrations Scholarship amounts are directly credited into the bank accounts of the eligible student beneficiaries. Government has issued notification under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 on 16th February, 2017 to use Aadhaar as unique identity for Scholarship Schemes of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. All States and Union Territory Administrations have been directed to implement the said notification vide Ministry’s letter dated 23.2.2017. The linking of Aadhaar to bank accounts of beneficiaries helps in eliminating duplication and checks misuse of funds.
For implementing Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) successfully States have been advised to implement online processing of Scholarships. 18 States and 5 Union Territories have online processing of Scholarships (List of States annexed).
Direct Benefit Transfer has made process of disbursal of scholarship benefits more efficient, transparent and accountable.