rtmnu :- Govt to use SSC codes to avoid paying out double scholarship

State minister for higher and technical education Rajesh Tope on Friday said that the Maharashtra government would seek help from the state board for use of SSC certificate codes to validate students' identity for scholarship. "This will act as a unique number for each student, and prevent duplicate scholarships being allotted," he said. The minister however expressed concerns about the protocol to make the scheme implementable.

There have been instances where students are taking admissions to multiple courses and claiming scholarships. Tope informed that such cases are on the rise and the government is working out ways to prevent this. "The state is taking measures to implement its new e-scholarship scheme," he said.

Addressing principals from city colleges at Nagpur University (NU) convocation hall, Tope said 20% colleges in the state have not opened scholarship accounts for students yet. "The state cannot give out the scholarship amount unless the college opens an account," he said.

"Every year, we give out Rs 1,800 crore to 32 lakh students as scholarship. Students used to complain that they get the money very late. The e-scholarship scheme makes it possible to provide the money much faster. But this will not be possible unless the scholarship accounts are opened. The deadline for opening these accounts is December 31."

Officiating vice chancellor BV Gopala Reddy emphasised the need for introspection among teachers. "To increase the quality of higher education, we need to strive for excellence," he said.

Pro-VC Arvind Chaudhary concurred with the VC and said that proper regulation was needed in higher education field.