HC Directs State to Establish Robust Grievance Redressal Mechanism for Students Affected by Delay in Scholarship
The bench directed the petitioners to implead the three deparments as parties to the case
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday directed the state government to work towards establishing a robust grievance redressal mechanism for students affected by delays in scholarship and fee reimbursement payments.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin issued the direction while hearing a PIL filed by the Association for Socio Economic Empowerment of the Marginalised (ASEEM) and Students Islamic Organisation (SIO), Telangana. The PIL highlighted the difficulties being faced by economically disadvantaged students due to delays in the release of scholarships and fee reimbursement amounts by the state government.
Additional advocate-general (AAG) Mohd. Imran Khan informed the bench that the Telangana government had instructed educational institutions to not withhold original certificates of students on account of scholarship dues. He submitted that the government's objective was to ensure the release of scholarships not only to minority students but also to other eligible beneficiaries across categories.
AAG Khan further contended that the higher education, social welfare, and minorities welfare departments needed to be impleaded in the proceedings as many educational institutions functioned under their administrative control. According to him, these departments would be in a position to furnish complete details regarding scholarships disbursed, pending claims, and reimbursement bills, thereby facilitating effective adjudication of the matter.
The bench directed the petitioners to implead the three deparments as parties to the case.
Counsel for petitioners expressed concern over the alleged lack of information from the finance department regarding the funds released towards scholarships and fee reimbursement schemes. He also pointed to the absence of a comprehensive mechanism to address the grievances of affected students despite earlier directions issued by the court.