CIC’s directive on junior basics scholarship

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 14: The Chief Information Commissioner, Assam has heard an appeal regarding  non-payment of Junior  Basic Scholarship while disposing a Second Appeal of Pradip Kr. Saha, who wanted to know whether Junior Basic Scholarships have been paid  to eight students of Railway Higher Secondary School, Maligaon in compliance with the notification issued on September 12, 2010. It was brought to the knowledge of the Assam Information Commission that no payment has been made towards the Junior Basic Scholarships to the  students whose  mes were  listed in the District Elementary Education Officer, Kamrup (M)'s notification. It was also brought before the Commission that there was no budget provision for the years 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 for payment of Jr. Basics Scholarships, although Scholarship examitions were held as usual and list of selected candidates were notified for all the districts of Assam by DEEOs concerned. Further, it was brought to the  knowledge of the Commission that from the year 2012-13, Junior Basic Scholarship Examition was replaced by Chief Minister's Special Scholarship examition and payment Scholarship money on the basis of Chief Minister's Special Scholarship were being made regularly by making special budget provisions from the year 2012-13.

The Commission viewed the matter of non-payment of scholarship money to the successful candidates for the years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 notified by the DEEOs of Assam very seriously.

By an order dated 2nd February, 2017, the Chief Information Commissioner, Assam Himangshu Sekhar Das ordered the Director of Elementary Education, Assam under section 19(8) (a) of the RTI Act, 2005 to inform the petitioner within 30(thirty) days whether any steps have been taken by him or by the State Government to disburse the Jr. Basic Scholarships to the eligible students for the fincial years 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 before the closer of the current fincial year. If no steps have been taken, then also the petitioner will be informed about the reasons for the iction on the part of the authorities concerned of the State Government as recorded in relevant files and correspondences.

The Commission, further, directed the Commissioner & Secretary, Government of Assam under section 19(8)(a) of the RTI Act, 2005 to look into the matter persolly as it involves the sentiments and legitimate expectation and rights of the tender aged primary school students.