Bhubaneswar: Expressing concern over pro-long delay in clearance of applications under Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yoajana (GSSY), the State Government has asked all Collectors to clear the pending applications of the last two years in one month.
In this regard, Higher Education Joint Secretary Prativa Sahu has written a letter to all Collectors on Monday.
On analysing the Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana scholarship data, it was found that 172 & 727 number of GSSY applications are pending at the District Welfare Officer (DWO) level relating to the academic years 2021-22 & 2022-23 respectively, Shrimati Sahu said.
These applications are yet to be recommended, validated and forwarded to the Higher Education Department, she said.
Therefore, the Collectors have been requested to expedite and complete the validation process and recommend the pending GSSY scholarship applications for the academic year 2021-22 and 2022-23 within one month to the Higher Education Department.
A total of 172 applications against 29 colleges have been pending in 13 districts of Odisha for the academic year 2021-22. Similarly, 727 GSSY applications of 131 colleges are pending in 20 districts for the year 2022-23.
In addition to it, the Collectors have been instructed to submit a hard copy of the proceedings of the committee constituted by the concerned District Collector along with the list of students recommended for GSSY Scholarship relating to the academic year 2021-22 and 2022-23 for taking further action.
Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana is a State scheme being implemented for providing financial assistance @ Rs 20,000 per annum to the students of underprivileged sections including HIV/AIDS affected parents; households without shelter; destitute; manual scavengers; Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups; legally released bonded labourers and single mother family for pursuing graduation and Post- Graduation in general and technical/professional courses in the State.
Notably, the beneficiaries of Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana are also receiving Rs 20,000 each year till completion of the course.