Norms for applying, processing likely to be tightened

Taking a relook at yet another scheme of the previous government, the YSRCP government is all set to revamp the NTR Videshi Vidyadarana, under which financial assistance is given to BC students for pursuing higher studies abroad.

Under the scheme, the government pays ₹10 lakh to the students interested in pursuing professional courses abroad. Anna Canteens and Rythu Bharosa are among the schemes revamped, while many other schemes have been renamed after former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

The government has asked the BC Welfare Department officials to make a comprehensive study of the implementation of the scheme. The officials are also working on some modifications in the implementation of NTR Vidyonnathi scheme to achieve better results. As of now, the government has stopped payments to the students who have already gone abroad under the scheme. About ₹40 crore payments are pending. The officials are still working on the dues and a clear picture will emerge in a week or so, sources say.

‘Misuse found’

According to information, the government is contemplating doing away with online system. “After a preliminary inquiry, the government found that some candidates had applied for assistance under the scheme after going abroad, which means that they haven’t got any prior approval to pursue courses in other countries. In some other cases, the candidates opted for the universities/ countries not identified by the government. Also, the agencies and middlemen have misused the scheme. All these factors have messed up the scheme forcing the government to relook into the guidelines, implementation and results of the scheme,” sources say.

As of now, students can choose to pursue any professional course. Now, the government is planning to limit the choice of students. The government is also toying with the idea of allowing the students to pursue professional courses only in the higher educational institutions which figure in top 1,000 QS rankings (an annual publication of university rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds). The government will also conduct counselling sessions for students in colleges and universities on courses offered abroad. Physical verification, prior approval of financial assistance etc. will be made mandatory, say officials.

The previous government had spent ₹268 crore under the scheme and 4,533 students benefited. Of them, 1,746 were BCs, 2,024 Kapus, and 783 EBCs.

“The scheme is likely to be ‘renamed and relaunched’ very soon with modifications. The scheme will be streamlined with fresh guidelines,” says a senior official.