Govt releases Rs 20 Cr for free uniform distribution to eligible students
Srinagar: The government has released more than Rs 20 crores on account of free uniforms to be distributed among the eligible students of Kashmir division for the financial year 2020-21.
The students who are eligible for free uniforms under the Right to Education (Elementary) Act include all girl students, schedule caste, scheduled tribe, and boys belonging to Below Poverty Level (BPL) category from class 1 to 8.
The Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK), Tassaduq Hussain Mir said, “Sanction has been accorded for release of the funds to the tune of Rs 20,660, 6400 in favor of all Chief Education Officers (CEOs) on account of free uniform under Right to Education (Elementary) Act for the financial year 2020-21.”
Meanwhile the department in a communiqué said that the released amount shall be disbursed among the eligible students with a cap of Rs 600 per student up to elementary level (8th standard).
Besides, the communiqué said that a district level committee shall be framed which would be headed by the Chief Education Officer to monitor the proper distribution of uniforms to each student.
“The funds shall be utilized after observing all codal formalities or norms and no deviation of funds shall be allowed.”
“Proper book of accounts of the expenditure incurred shall be maintained as per the norms. The accounts and other records shall be open to audit and inspection by the Chirag Society,” it read.
Chirag Society is one of the wings of the centrally-sponsored scheme Samagra Shiksha under which the funds are being released.
The government has also said that the amount allotted under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) is to be spent for the purpose it is meant for. “The expenditure shall be incurred as per norms of Samagra Shiksha.”
TSP is a concept to channelize the flow of benefits from the central government for the development of tribal populations in the states and union territories.
The DSEK communiqué further read that “Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) shall release the funds to the concerned student or their guardian through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.”
“Red account of the current release shall be furnished to the Director School Education, Kashmir within 10 days for its onward submission to the Project Director, Samagra Shiksha,” the director said.
He also said that the process should be done in such a way that uniformity and quality of uniforms to be purchased by parents for their children is ensured.
