SRINAGAR: Scores of Kashmiri students who got admissions in Himachal Pradesh under Ministry of HRDs special scholarship scheme are facing hardships and trauma as the college authorities are forcing them to pay all dues after no scholarship has been approved in their favour.
Narrating their ordeal, Kashmiri students from Himachal Pradesh said on phone that most of them feel frustrated as Government of India has played with their carriers. This scholarship has proved to be a damp-squib. We are being forced to pay fee and no roll number slips have been issued in our favour, one of the students said.
Students said that last year in September nearly 184 students from different parts of Kashmir got admissions in Himaliyan Group of Professional Institutions in Himachal Pradesh under the special scholar scheme. Our interview was taken by Registrar Shivandar Singh and more than 150 students from lower income group got admissions in different subjects like B-Tech, B-Pharmacy, LLB and BBA Nursing. After completing all the formalities we were admitted in the college in Sep-Oct last year, they said adding that everything went fine till first semester.
Students said that in March All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) approved team visited the college and verified our documents and other particulars. The team encouraged us and assured that scholarships for Kashmiri students will be given in next month.
Students said that they were surprised when in April the College authorities informed them that their scholarship had not been approved. The College has given us deadline till May 20th and we are being asked to pay Rs 96,000 each. Exams are due in June and no roll number slips have been issued in favour of us. Tell us where from we will get the money from as we all hail from lower income groups, students said.
They said all the students were facing hardships and trauma and even some of the girl students were hospitalized after few of them fainted. During the time of of admissions Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itoo had assured us of all possible help but now she even does not respond to our repeated phone calls. We have been ditched by both the State and Central Governments, they said adding that after collecting some money they were preapring to knock the doors of HRD Ministry in New Delhi to seek help. (CNS)