Pune Sanitation Workers Kids Scholarship: Technical Glitch Leaves Students Without Benefits
Pune Sanitation Workers Kids Scholarship: Children of sanitation workers studying in self-financed schools in Pune are reportedly being denied the Central Government’s Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme due to technical issues in the online application system. The Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP) has alleged that the online portal does not provide an application option for students studying in self-financed schools.
The organization has warned that if the issue is not resolved within seven days, it will stage a protest outside the Maharashtra Social Welfare Commissioner’s Office.
Online Portal Glitch Leaves Students Without Scholarship
The central government provides the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for children of waste pickers, manual scavengers, sanitation workers, and others engaged in hazardous occupations. Under the scheme, eligible students receive ₹3,500 per year.
Applications were accepted offline earlier, but from the 2023-24 academic year, the process was shifted online. According to KKPKP, the online portal does not allow applications from students studying in self-financed schools, even though the central government guidelines state that all recognized government and private schools with a valid U-DISE code are eligible.
KKPKP Demands Immediate Correction
KKPKP General Secretary Yogesh Manjula said the organization has repeatedly raised the issue with the Social Welfare Department, but no concrete action has been taken.
He demanded that the online system be corrected immediately so that no eligible student is deprived of the scholarship. If the issue is not resolved within seven days, KKPKP has warned of a protest along with affected students.
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Parents Raise Concerns
Parent Sarika Gaikwad said sanitation workers work hard to educate their children so they can have a better future. However, the lack of scholarship support has made it difficult to pay school fees, causing financial stress and repeated embarrassment for students.
She urged the government not to deprive children of their right to education due to technical problems.
Social Welfare Department Responds
Assistant Commissioner Pramod Jadhav of the Maharashtra Social Welfare Department said scholarship applications have been received through district social welfare offices, and the distribution process is underway.
He stated that the scholarship portal opened on 15 July, and if any technical issues are reported, they will be resolved. He also assured that no eligible student will be denied the scholarship due to technical difficulties.