Constitute Committee To Ensure Effective Implementation Of Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes For SC/ST Students: Madras HC To State

The Madras High Court has suggested the State Government to constitute a committee/task force to identify the hiccups in effective implementation of the post-matric scholarship schemes for SC/ST students and resolve the same to ensure timely disbursement of the scholarship.

The bench of Justice R. Mahadevan and Justice J. Sathya Narayana Prasad observed that scholarship schemes formulated and implemented by the Central and State Governments are in pursuance of the Constitutional goals and they address the educational barriers faced by the students belonging to the SC/ST/STA.

The Court further noted that the non-disbursal of the scholarship amounts in time hits the achievement of these constitutional goals.

Thus the Court said "…we suggest the respondents to constitute a committee/task force with representatives of the State government, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to identify the hiccups in effective implementation of the post-matric scholarship schemes from the forthcoming academic years and resolve the same, so as to ensure timely disbursement of the scholarship amount to the eligible students."

The Court was dealing with the plea filed by an Advocate, P. Vedachalam, seeking directions to the State to disburse the post matric scholarship to SC/ST/SCA students of all colleges in Tamil Nadu at the beginning of every academic year.

Special Government Pleader S.P. Maharajan appeared for Respondents.

The grievance sought to be ventilated by the petitioner is with respect to non-implementation of a scheme called post-matric scheme.

According to the petitioner, the scheme has not been properly implemented and due to delay in disbursement of the scholarship amount, several students, who were admitted under the free seat meant for SC/ST categories, are finding it very difficult to continue their studies.

The petitioner stated that the full amount under the post-matric scholarship scheme has to be calculated and disbursed at the beginning of the academic year but it is seldom done.

According to the respondents, the delay for timely disbursal of scholarship amount is only due to procedural and financial flaws.

Cause Title- P. Vedachalam v. The Principal Secretary Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department & Anr.

Click here to read/download Judgment