Haryana colleges to bear litigation cost for delay in scholarship verification

The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) has directed all government, aided, self-financed and private degree, law and education colleges, along with private and state universities across Haryana, to expedite verification and clearance of pending scholarship applications under the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) students for academic years 2022-23 to 2024-25.

In a circular issued to all college principals and university registrars, the Directorate has stressed immediate action to ensure that all pending scholarship cases are verified and cleared within the stipulated timelines. Institutions have been instructed to submit verified details of students within three days for 2022-23, seven days for 2023-24, and 10 days for 2024-25.

The directive states that prompt verification will enable timely processing of payments at the L3 level, ensuring scholarships reach eligible students without further delay.

“All Registrars of universities and principals of government-aided, self-financing, education and law colleges will be responsible for any lapse in this matter,” the letter warns, adding that if the department faces litigation due to delays, the institution concerned will be held accountable and litigation expenses will be borne from their own funds.

The communication, issued by the Joint Director (Scholarship) on behalf of the Director General (Higher Education), has also been forwarded to the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (SEWA) for information and necessary action.

Explaining the process, a college principal said: “To avail of the scholarship, eligible students must apply online on the designated portal by submitting their details. The respective colleges and universities then verify the information to facilitate the release of the scholarship amount, hence the institutions have been directed to expedite verification of pending applications.”

The move, the principal added, aims to clear the long-pending scholarship backlog and ensure timely financial assistance for deserving SC and OBC students across the state.