S M Fasiullah for BeyondHeadlines
Minority Affairs Minister Dr. K Rahman Khan has pointed out toward problems facing scholarships distribution, including the availability of Aadhar number as the ‘biggest challenge’ in implementation of Online Scholarship Management System (OSMS).
The ministry is putting efforts to make the scholarship schemes for minorities a demand driven scheme, noted Dr. Khan while addressing a meeting of delegates of States and Union Territories on progress of OSMS.
Dr. Khan added that the scheme has been by and large successful and OSMS for two scholarships – Post-Matric scheme and Merit Cum-Means based scholarship scheme – are already in operation for one year and two years, respectively.
Implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) started this year and through DBT scholarship would be released to the beneficiaries through Aadhar Bridge Payment System (ABPS), which requires Aadhaar number.
“The biggest challenge in implementation of OSMS is availability of Aadhaar number,” noted a government release.
“At present only 19,000 of 45,000 post-matric beneficiaries have Aadhar cards. The Minister appealed to all those present to make DBT a success and to contribute to implement it in effective manner.”
Dr. Khan has sought suggestions from the participants of the meeting for the timely distribution of scholarships, in addition to seeking cooperation of all nodal officers in developing as well as protecting and the Wakf properties.
Aadhar is an individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India on behalf of the Government of India. The project is being implemented in many states.
