Post-matric scholarship: SC Development Department started accepting applications

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Scheduled Caste Development Department has started accepting applications from students of backward communities for post-matric education scholarships at district offices. This was due to the immediate intervention of Minister K Radhakrishnan, who drew attention to the Kerala Kaumudi news on January 14 and the editorial on January 15 regarding the non-cooperation of the departmental authorities which led to the applications of more than 2.5 lakh backward students being neglected.

The Minister directed the Secretary and Director, Department of Scheduled Caste Development to strictly abide by the directive to deal with the applications of the concerned students till the necessary office arrangements and staff are in place for the Department of Backward Classes Development. Subsequently, the department secretary issued a new order on January 18. Applications was accepted from the 20th.

The Department of Scheduled Caste Development has returned the applications of over 2.5 lakh SEBC, OBC and OEC students who have secured admission in engineering and technical courses from Higher Secondary to Post Graduate level. Since there is a special department for backward class development, the problem was created by the arrogance of the Scheduled Caste Department officials that the applications should be handled by that department. Formed in 2011, the Backward Classes Development Department has a total staff of 32. There are no offices in all the 14 districts. It was in this context that the Scheduled Castes Department was directed to deal with their applications till the Backward Classes Development Department became self-sufficient.