Rs 18,000 cr for SC/ST kids embezzled: PIL in top court

New Delhi, August 14

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear next week a PIL alleging siphoning of Rs 18,000 crore funds meant for granting post-matriculation scholarship to students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in five states, including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

A Bench comprising CJI Dipak Misra and Justice A M Khanwilkar considered the submissions of lawyer ML Sharma seeking urgent hearing of the PIL that has also sought registration of FIRs against officials concerned of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for the alleged embezzlement.

The ministry provides the scholarship to students belonging to the SC and ST communities for their post-matriculation education, the plea said.

The plea has referred to a CAG report and alleged: “Over Rs 18,000 crore meant for post-matric scholarship scheme for SC/ST students have been embezzled by government servants... In five states of UP, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.” — PTI