Questions raised over delay in assistance to MCD students

New Delhi: With the academic session nearing its end, questions have been raised over the release of the annual Rs 1,670 assistance meant for uniforms, stationery and school bags to MCD school students, with AAP alleging delays and the BJP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi saying that only around 30% of the beneficiaries did not receive the amount due to pending KYC issues.AAP's MCD co-in-charge, Praveen Kumar, alleged that lakhs of students were still waiting for the annual assistance. Although Rs 109 crore was to be transferred to students' bank accounts through direct benefit transfer, only Rs 58 crore has been released, he claimed.With the final examinations ending in Feb and the new academic session beginning in April, Kumar said the delay effectively denied children the benefit during the current academic year. Accusing BJP of failing poor students, Kumar said nearly 2.3 lakh children study in MCD schools, most of them from economically weaker families, including children of street vendors and daily-wage labourers. "What purpose will the money serve once the academic year ends?" he asked, alleging that BJP was indulging in blame-shifting between Delhi govt and MCD instead of ensuring timely disbursal.AAP's Preeti Dogra claimed that despite having control over the mayoral post and the standing committee and a majority in the MCD house, BJP failed to ensure that students received the benefit. She demanded immediate release of the pending amount, action against officials responsible for the delay and a fixed timeline to ensure funds are credited before the start of every academic session.Responding to the allegations, education committee chairperson Yogesh Verma rejected claims of large-scale non-payment. Around 70% of the amount was already transferred to students' bank accounts while the remaining 30% was pending largely due to bank account and know your customer issues, he claimed.Verma added that teachers, school principals and parents had been asked to work together to complete the necessary formalities so that the remaining amount could be released at the earliest. He also said the academic session was nearing the end and efforts were being made to ensure that all eligible students receive the funds without further delay.