Srinagar: In a major relief for economically weaker families, the Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday announced a full fee waiver for students belonging to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families studying in Government Schools and Government Degree Colleges across the Union Territory.
According to separate orders issued by the School Education and Higher Education Departments, the decision has been taken as a welfare measure to promote equitable access to education and will come into force with immediate effect.
As per the School Education Department order, students of Classes IX to XII in Government Schools who belong to AAY households and possess a valid AAY Ration Card or any other prescribed document will be exempted from payment of all fees leviable by government schools.
Similarly, the Higher Education Department has approved a full fee waiver for undergraduate students from 1st to 8th semester enrolled in Government Degree Colleges. The benefit will be available to eligible AAY students with a valid AAY Ration Card or other prescribed documents, provided they are not receiving any other scholarship assistance.
However, both orders clarify that fees payable to any outside statutory authority or examining body, where not within the competence of the departments to waive, shall continue to be governed by applicable rules unless specifically exempted by the competent authority.
Heads of Institutions and Principals have been directed to verify the eligibility of beneficiaries before granting the waiver and to maintain proper records for audit, inspection and verification.
The financial implications arising from the scheme will be worked out by the concerned Directorates and communicated to the Administrative Departments for reimbursement from the Finance Department.
The Directors of School Education and Director Colleges have been instructed to ensure strict implementation of the orders, including verification of beneficiaries, maintenance of records, monitoring and submission of periodic reports.(GNS)