| During internet-shutdown days, SWD seeks online application for Post Matric scholarships | | Cyber cafe owners fleece aspirants, misbehave with them | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 12: The Social Welfare department has demanded online applications for post-matriculation scholarships despite internet shutdown in the state, forcing the aspirants at the mercy of cyber-cafe owners, who have been charging exorbitantly and also misbehave with them.
Aspirants informed Early Times that the Social Welfare Department Jammu has sought online applications for Post Matriculation Scholarship for students belonging to OBC/SC/PHC/EBC/DNT for the year 2018-19. "Though the last date for filing application form has been extended to 31st of December but in absence of internet shutdown, we have been forced to visit the cyber-cafe owners. Most of them have been refusing to fill the forms and the remaining, who agree, are demanding fee ranging from Rs. 200 to 300 per form", an aspirant said. The aspirants further said that the scholarship form has to be uploaded on a portal of the department. "Initially the cyber-cafe owners don't agree to fill the forms and when we make requests, they get agreed but on their own terms and conditions. Once you fill the application form, it cannot be edited or updated and for a minor mistake, if same is to be corrected by an aspirant from a cyber-cafe owner, he charge again the same fee of Rs 200-300", the aspirants said. Criticizing the department, the aspirants said that when internet services have been snapped for the last over one month, the SWD must switch back to offline forms. "Even after filling online forms, the aspirants have to submit offline forms at colleges and then to SWD offices at respected districts", an aspirant said, castigating that why the students have been harassed by department. Some aspirants also complaint that the minor aspirants have to submit an affidavit, which were earlier banned by state government. "The magistrates deny issuance of affidavit on the name of minor students and ask to take it on behalf of parents, but same will be rejected by the department, which will again a harassment for the aspirants", the aspirants said, adding that if the government had ordered to done-away with affidavits then, why same has been reintroduced?. They appealed Advisor to Governor to issue directions to respective directorates to start process of filling offline forms. Director Social Welfare Jammu Dr. Bharat Bhushan didn't pick up his phone for comments. |
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