Three years on, no transgender student for Central scholarship

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 13

Even after three years of the introduction of the Centrally-sponsored scheme of the post metric scholarship for transgender students, no student has availed the benefits under the scheme so far. This year too, there has been no beneficiary for the scholarship.

Currently, as many as five transgender students are enrolled under various courses in Panjab University. Ironically, neither of them has applied for the scheme this year. The last date for the submission of the application form was October 10 (Wednesday).

Under the scholarship, the beneficiaries are entitled to get maintenance allowance (Rs 550 for scholars and Rs 1,200 for hostellers) and reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fee. The amount will be paid to the students whose parents/guardians’ annual income does not exceed Rs 2.50 lakh. 

Bikram Rana, state liaison officer, said: “Not even a single student came to us for the scholarship money. Last year, a few transgender students turned up and took the application form, but did not submit. Due to concerns pertaining to the social acceptability, it is onerous to identify transgender students in colleges and schools. But those who are already studying in these institutions should at least avail the benefit.”

Rana said: “It should be the prerogative of the institutions and university to not take money from these students at the time of admissions. To make the scheme a success, the Chandigarh Administration should make standing instructions for institutes and universities not take fee from the students. The institutes can get money directly from the government once funds are released under the scholarship.”

Pay hefty fee and get reimbursement

Even in Panjab University, the students who want to avail the benefits of the Centrally-sponsored scheme have to first deposit fee with the university and thereafter seek reimbursement from the government.

The date to apply for the scholarship is announced after the admissions. Nonetheless, many beneficiaries of the scheme do not even have money to pay for the fee at the time of admissions, owing to which the enrolment of transgender students is also nominal.

Dhananjay Chauhan, who is a transgender-cum-social activist, studies at Panjab University and has spent over Rs 80,000 for his education fee. He has been struggling to get his fee reimbursed.

He says: “I was not aware of the Centrally-sponsored scheme for transgender students, but I did apply for a fee waiver in the university. An amount of Rs 20,000 will be waived off by the university. However, it has been five months ever since I have applied for the waiver. We are not sure whether we can apply for both the schemes or not.”

Students resorting to free alms

• In the absence of a fee exemption clause and awareness, transgender students are opting to quit studies. Recently, a transgender studying in MA Hindi had to drop out for not being able to pay the fee. 
• “We have to resort to begging to earn livelihood and if we are begging, then we can’t study. Neither can we stay in deras while studying as they don’t allow us,” said Dhananjay Chauhan, who is a transgender-cum-social activist, studying at the PU. 

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