Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 17: The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs as a special case has extended the date of submission of application forms under Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means scholarships up to December 15 for flood ravaged State of Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision was taken by the Ministry headed by Dr Najma Heptula at Union Capital yesterday after reviewing the outcome of the visit of its high level team which toured the flood affected areas of the Srinagar this week to take the stock of ground realities. The team was deputed by Minister to visit the State for effective and timely implementation of the Flood relief package of Rs.120 crore announced on September 17, by Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.
The Ministry has also informed the State Government that it may consider all eligible applications under Scholarship schemes for flood affected districts entailing an additional expenditure of Rs. 30 crore in this regard. The State Government has also been requested to forward applications of minority girls for scholarships under the scheme of Maulana Azad Education Foundation by October, 31 this year. This will provide much needed succor to the affected students in the State.
In order to increase the flow of required concessional credit under the schemes of NMDFC, Ministry asked the State Government and Managing Directors of the three State Channelizing agencies namely, Jammu & Kashmir State Women Development Corporation (JKWDC), Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) and Jammu & Kashmir SC/ST & BCs Development Corporation (JKSCSTDC), to furnish the lists of loanees who are affected by floods and suffered complete loss/ partial loss, by October 31. This will facilitate the setting up of micro-enterprises and providing employment to the local people.
It was also informed to the State Government that Ministry will intensify its skill development initiative “Seekho aur Kamao” in flood affected districts of Jammu and Kashmir and provide skill up-gradation to additional 4000 minority youths to enable them to availing of gainful employment opportunities. Proposal for skill development of local youths have also been asked under “Jan Vikas Yojana (MsDP)”.
The Minister reviewed the outcomes of the visit yesterday and advised officials to remain in constant touch with the State Government for implementation of the decisions in a time bound manner.
The team comprised of Joint Secretary, Director in the Ministry and Managing Director, National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) to Jammu and Kashmir to chalk out plan of action in consultation with State Government.
It held discussions with Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Planning) and Secretary (Social Welfare Department) and other concerned officials of State Government. Since the dates of submission of application forms under various Scholarship Schemes have already expired.
In order to reconstruct basic amenities and infrastructure in flood hit areas, Ministry requested the State Government to submit project proposals for construction of schools, classrooms, health centres, ITIs, etc. at Rajouri district covered under Jan Vikas Yojana (MsDP) by October 31. It was also advised to the State Government that for other flood hit districts, the proposals for construction of schools and classrooms may also be sent for consideration of funding under the schemes of Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF). In addition, the State Government was also requested to submit proposals for Bridge courses for Madarsa students under the scheme of “Nai Manzil” by October 31.
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