Pvt colleges withhold marksheets as Centre delays SC scholarship funds
Hundreds of students who graduated from private technical education institutions in the 2023-2024 academic session are struggling as several colleges have withheld their detailed marks certificates (DMCs).
The reason for this predicament is the delay in the release of over Rs 110 crore under the SC Post Matric Scholarship Scheme by the Centre. The institutions are demanding that students clear their dues before releasing the certificates, placing graduates in a difficult position as they attempt to pursue further education or job opportunities.
The SC Post Matric Scholarship Scheme requires the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to release 60 per cent of the scholarship funds, but only after the state contributes its 40 per cent share. Punjab has already paid its share of Rs 40 crore for the 2023-2024 session, covering around 2.14 lakh enrolled students. However, the Centre’s delay in releasing its portion has caused a significant financial strain on both students and institutions.
As per revised guidelines, scholarship funds are transferred directly to the students’ bank accounts, and the students are then expected to pay their tuition fees to their respective colleges. However, many students are facing difficulties due to the pending funds.
Complaints have been pouring in, with students unable to receive their DMCs, which are crucial for applying to jobs or further education programmes. Manpreet Kaur (name changed), a graduate from a Jalandhar-based college, expressed frustration over the delay, stating that without the DMC, she has been unable to apply for jobs. She highlighted that in the past, the state government had instructed colleges not to withhold DMCs due to delayed scholarship payments.
Gurmeet Singh Dhaliwal, Chairman of the Joint Action Committee of Technical Colleges, acknowledged that a few colleges might be withholding DMCs but assured that the issue would be addressed. He emphasised that colleges were in a tough spot because many students who received scholarship funds directly from the Centre did not pay their tuition fees.
In response to the growing concerns, the Punjab Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has taken up the matter with the Centre. The Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr Baljit Kaur, has not responded to the calls.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister is expected to hold a meeting to discuss pending scholarship funds for the 2017-2020 period. Of the Rs 1,540 crore total, nearly Rs 1,180 crore remains unpaid. The delay is due to a dispute between the state and the Centre over funding allocations after the scheme ended as part of the 12th Five-Year Plan in 2016-2017.
