RTI reply reveals Delhi government spent Rs 8 lakh to advertise a student welfare scheme while only Rs 4 lakh was doled out in actual assistance

Last year the Delhi government gave away around Rs 4 lakh as scholarship to meritorious students in public schools from weaker sections of society. Seems like a move in the right direction towards making the capital literate. However, scrutiny reveals a different tale. According to a reply filed to a query under the Right to Information Act (RTI), the government spent around Rs 8 lakh on advertising the student welfare scheme.

Where did the money go? The RTI reply says 644 school students received scholarships under the welfare scheme

'Funds misused'

The reply to the query says the Delhi government's Department for the Welfare of SC/ST/OBC/Minorities, which implements various schemes for the educational, social and economic development of youngsters from these communities, spend more on advertising many such similar programmes rather than on helping deserving students.

The query was filed by Harpal Singh Rana, who is associated with the NGO Delhi Vikas Samiti. "To help students studying in Classes VI to VIII from weaker sections who scored more than 60 per cent, the Delhi government had to dole out Rs 600 per student per year," said Rana.

Look who sells more, works less

"Those who scored between 50 and 60 per cent in the same classes were to receive scholarships worth Rs 550 per year. For students studying in Classes IX to XII who procured 50 to 60 per cent marks, the scholarship amount was Rs 1,350 per year; and for those who scored above 60 per cent, the amount was Rs 1,700 per year. The RTI reply says 644 school students received scholarships under the scheme. Which means, the government spend about Rs 3.86 lakh in scholarships. Whereas, it blew Rs 8.27 lakh to advertise the scheme," said Rana.

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