State government yet to issue orders to Backward Classes Welfare Department 

Last date for submission of forms is Oct. 31

Nearly 3 lakh students to utilise the scheme

HYDERABAD: Fee reimbursement to Economically Backward Classes (EBC) students, announced by late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy brought cheers to the poor students but confusion over submission of forms is hitting the hard.

Even as the last date for submission of forms is October 31, the government is yet to issue orders to the Backward Classes Welfare Department that has been entrusted with the job of implementing the scheme.

Online submission

If online submission of forms is creating trouble for students and parents many colleges in the rural and sub-urban areas are not providing the required support to students and pressuring them to pay the fee. Apparently they believe that the scheme may not take off after the demise of YSR.

“I have submitted the claim online but college authorities are saying the G.O. is yet to be issued creating confusion whether it will be accepted or not,” said Venkat Reddy, an autorickshaw driver, whose son is studying in an engineering college in Ibrahimpatnam.

The scheme is expected to be utilised by nearly three lakh students studying in various PG and professional courses. Officials expect that nearly 80 per cent of the forward class students might apply under the scheme though it would be applicable to students whose parents’ income is less than Rs. 1 lakh per annum.

The State government earmarked Rs. 538 crore for EBC students for the scheme while the total amount for the entire scheme covering all sections is Rs. 2,225 crore.