Srinagar: In a major boost to educational support for economically weaker families, the Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday announced a complete fee waiver for students belonging to Antyodaya Anna Yojana, AAY, households studying in Government Schools and Government Degree Colleges across the Union Territory.
The decision, notified through separate orders issued by the School Education Department and the Higher Education Department, aims to ensure equitable access to education for students from the poorest families. The orders take immediate effect.
Under the School Education Department order, students of Classes IX to XII enrolled in Government Schools and belonging to AAY families will be exempt from paying all fees charged by government schools. To avail the benefit, students must produce a valid AAY Ration Card or any other prescribed proof of eligibility.
The Higher Education Department has also approved a full fee waiver for eligible undergraduate students enrolled from the first to the eighth semester in Government Degree Colleges. The concession will be available only to AAY students who possess a valid AAY Ration Card or other prescribed documents and are not receiving financial assistance under any other scholarship scheme.
The orders, however, make it clear that fees payable to external statutory authorities or examining bodies, which are beyond the departments’ authority to waive, will continue to be charged unless specifically exempted by the competent authority.
Heads of institutions and Principals have been directed to thoroughly verify the eligibility of applicants before granting the fee waiver and to maintain complete records for audit, inspection and verification.
The financial implications of the scheme will be assessed by the concerned Directorates and communicated to the Administrative Departments for reimbursement through the Finance Department.
The Directors of School Education and Colleges have also been instructed to ensure strict implementation of the orders, including beneficiary verification, proper record maintenance, regular monitoring and submission of periodic compliance reports.
