Social Welfare Dept to implement scholarship scheme
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 08 2022:
The Social Welfare Department would start implementing a scholarship scheme for students with disabilities (SWDs) from the current year.
Speaking to media persons at his North AOC, AT Line office this afternoon, Social Welfare Director Ngangom Uttam said that the scholarship scheme for SWDs was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and it was implemented by Education Department in the State.
However, one of two nodal officers assigned for implementing the scheme retired some years back and no replacement was made.
As a result, the scheme remained suspended.
Thinking that it would be more appropriate for Social Welfare Department to implement the scheme, a proposal was sent to the State Government and the Government has approved the proposal, Uttam said.
He informed that the scholarship scheme has six components.
Pre-Matric (Classes IX and X), post-matric (Class XI to Post Graduate Degree/Diploma), top class education (Graduate and PG Degree/ Diploma in notified institution of excellence in education), National overseas scholarship (Master's Degree/PhD in universities abroad), National fellowship (MPhil and PhD) and free coaching (for Group A & B) and entrance examination for admission in technical and professional courses are the six components of the scholarship scheme.
SWDs may apply online for the scholarship scheme by logging to the National scholarship portal.
The scholarship money would be transferred to the accounts of the beneficiaries through DBT after it is approved by the State Government, Uttam said.
To apply for the scholarship scheme, disability card is not enough.
SWDs must obtain Unique Disability Identification (UDID) Card.
UDID cards are like second Aadhaar cards for PWDs, he said.
He also appealed to teachers and guardians helps SWDs obtain UDID cards.