New Delhi, June 19 (IANS) In a high-level review meeting held at the Delhi Secretariat on Thursday, Minister for Social Welfare, SC/ST/OBC Welfare, Elections and Cooperation, Ravinder Indraj Singh, emphasised the need for greater outreach and collaboration with educational institutions to promote scholarship schemes for SC/ST/OBC students in the capital.

The meeting was attended by vice chancellors, senior university officials, and representatives from the SC/ST/OBC Welfare and Higher Education Departments. Discussions revolved around improving the delivery of financial aid and educational support services.

Minister Singh directed officials to coordinate with the Education Department and Delhi’s leading universities to publicise scholarship schemes more effectively. He also announced the development of a dedicated online portal to streamline application processes based on feedback from the meeting.

“The vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi to educate and empower the underprivileged and fulfil the dreams of B.R. Ambedkar is our guiding principle,” Singh said.

Criticising the previous government of the Aam Aadmi Party, he stated that a large number of scholarship applications had remained pending, denying students their rightful benefits.

Applauding the current government, the minister said that under the current government, swift action has been taken to resolve these issues.

“In the last three months, 52 per cent of pending applications under various schemes, such as Tuition Fee Reimbursement for 2023-24 and 2024-25, Chief Minister Vidyarthi Pratibha Yojana, B.R. Ambedkar State Topper Award, Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes, Merit Scholarships for College and University Students, and Financial Assistance for SC students pursuing education abroad, have been approved,” he noted.

Singh also pointed out the closure of several hostels under the former regime, which caused hardships for SC/ST students.

“We are now working to ensure that at least one hostel is established in every district of Delhi,” he added.

In addition, the Minister announced that a grand event will be organised at the Yamuna Sports Complex on 26 June to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

He urged universities and educational bodies to actively participate in the campaign to raise awareness among students.

–IANS

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