Maha overseas scholarship students face hunger, no disbursals for 2 months
National Overseas Scholarship Scheme
of Maharashtra govt are facing severe financial crisis with govt disbursals pending for more than two months now. The beneficiaries from OBC, Dalit and minority categories, who enrolled in higher education programmes in Australia and the United Kingdom, spoke to TOI and shared their plight.
They said they have not received any scholarship money for tuition fee or living expenses since their arrival. These students said their situation is pitiable; many are on the verge of starvation, with some facing the risk of being evicted from their rented homes. "Feels like I'm drowning in uncertainty. Scholarship funds delayed, tuition fees piling up with penalties, and debt is suffocating me. Every day feels like a struggle to stay afloat financially," said a student at the University of Birmingham.
A student from the University of Sydney said, "It feels like I've been left on my own. My scholarship funds were delayed endlessly, and unpaid fees are accumulating penalties. I borrowed money to survive, but the debt is crushing me now." Another student from Sydney University said, "I'm exhausted, mentally and financially. I haven't received any scholarship support for months. My fees are unpaid. I borrowed money to survive, but now I can't repay. I feel abandoned."
Talking to TOI, a Dalit student in the UK said, "I have been struggling with financial challenges. This situation is affecting my studies and mental health. There is no one in my family to support me and I came here buoyed by the scholarship promise. Due to funds crunch, I'm unable to pay rent and can't afford meals."
NGO The Platform's Rajiv Khobragade, who is following up with officials in the concerned departments, said, "Sending students abroad with false promise of scholarships is tantamount to pushing them into starvation and mental stress. The govt should provide scholarship funds on time."
The students alleged though they sent emails to the OBC Welfare department and social justice and special assistance (SJSA) department for respective scholarships, they were told that funds are not yet approved by the finance department. State OBC welfare minister Atul Save told TOI there is no dearth of funds. "I will look into the issue and resolve the matter. Though it is a public holiday tomorrow, I will take an update about the scholarship and disburse funds," he said.
Harshdeep Kamble, principal secretary, SJSA, said, "Scholarship funds were already released to the commissioner (social justice)." Kamble added further details need to be taken from the SJSA commissioner.
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