The state government on Monday said that it had introduced an online system of payment to all eligible candidates to put an end to misappropriation of welfare funds, particularly in respect of scholarships and fee reimbursement.
Scholarships and the fee reimbursement to eligible college students of SC, ST, BC, minority and economically backward classes will be effected through an easy pay card which is being worked out on the lines of an ATM card. A pin code will be given to the eligible student for operation as and when they need to draw the cash.
This card would serve as a credit card or pre-paid card of a cell phone, said the Minister for Social Welfare Pithani Satyanarayana on Monday.
The cards will be issued in a month and this is part of the government's efforts to offer a transparent administration.
"A website is under construction to facilitate this program. The process has been started today," said Satyanarayana.
"All the details of the students will be available on the website. Even a student could log in and ascertain his information," he revealed.
The students are expected to apply and after scrutinising their applications, the fee reimbursement and scholarships will be released online.
For 2009-10, arrears of Rs. 370 crore was released in October, while the same for 2010-2011 will be released online as scheduled. The students were asked to avail the facility and the last date has been extended from December 10th to December 15th to facilitate application by more students.
So far, only 3 lakh students have applied, and the minister has appealed for more applications as the last date was extended for that reason.
The NABARD sanctioned Rs. 366 crore for constructing 68 permanent buildings for schools. Besides, for updating the information or for coaching the students preparing for IIT and EAMCET exams, the government has arranged special classes.
The minister also informed that the government was taking suitable steps to improve educational standards.
Welfare hostels at a cost of Rs. 2.5 crore were under construction. So far, 30 hostels out of 90 have been completed. Efforts are on to fill up 6232 vacancies in 2011, while 20803 backlog vacancies have been already filled up.
The government has sanctioned Rs. 440 crore for 2010-2011 with a subsidy of Rs. 72.38 crore for 2.55 lakh scheduled castes beneficiaries.