The All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) has launched a statewide campaign demanding the timely disbursement of scholarships for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Other Backward Class students. The organization alleges systemic issues with the scholarship process, causing significant hardship for students.
AIDSO claims the Digital Gujarat website, the platform for scholarship applications, is plagued with technical glitches, often crashing and causing delays.
Students reportedly spend considerable sums at cyber cafes attempting to navigate the cumbersome system. The organization also criticizes the mandatory linking of Aadhaar and Ration cards to bank accounts, a requirement they say has prevented many students from completing their applications this year.
Further complicating matters, AIDSO states that even after successful application submission, students face a bureaucratic bottleneck. Applications often remain in limbo, with colleges and the social welfare department passing responsibility back and forth, citing a “financial crisis” as the reason for the delay. AIDSO alleges these delays can last two to three years, potentially leading to increased dropout rates among vulnerable students.
The organization also highlighted a recent government announcement regarding the discontinuation of scholarships for Scheduled Tribe students admitted under management quota, a decision that has left many students who have already paid fees in a precarious financial situation. AIDSO also points to the inadequacy of research scholarships, citing low stipends and delayed disbursement for Ph.D. students.
In a press note, AIDSO argues that while the government allocates substantial funds for publicity and events, it neglects the financial needs of students. They claim repeated individual representations to authorities have yielded no results.
In response to these issues, AIDSO has announced a statewide signature campaign throughout February, alongside continued individual representations and plans for posters, leaflets, demonstrations, and sit-ins. The organization is appealing to the media to highlight their campaign and bring attention to the plight of students struggling with scholarship delays.
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