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LG blocking scheme for education loan to poor: Sisodia

The Arvind Kejriwal led Delhi government on Friday accused Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal of “deliberately” halting the loan scheme…

LG blocking scheme for education loan to poor:  Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia (Photo: SNS/File)

The Arvind Kejriwal led Delhi government on Friday accused Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal of “deliberately” halting the loan scheme for higher education.
Addressing a press conference, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the file pertaining to the scheme was forwarded to the LG for his approval, but the latter returned the file with a rider that the Delhi government should take Centre’s advice before its implementation.
The scheme started by the Delhi government in 2015, was returned by the then LG Najeeb Jung for some corrections which was resubmitted to the current LG (Anil Baijal) for approval, Sisodia said.
The Dy CM alleged that the move was a “deliberate” attempt to halt the scheme which otherwise can help many aspiring students of Delhi to pursue for the higher education.
“It is fine if LG has rivalry with us (Delhi government) but what is the fault of the students who only aspire to have higher education. Why make students suffer?,” he said, adding that if Delhi government is ready to loan the money from its tax payers money, why it needs centre’s approval.
Sisodia, who also holds education portfolio, the scheme had allowed several students of the national capital to avail loans up to Rs 10 lakh for higher studies in Delhi institutes, under the Delhi government’s Higher Education and Skill Development Guarantee Scheme.
He further said that the loan scheme was extended this year for Delhi’s students wishing to study in government-run institutions outside the national capital.
Sisodia said sending the file to the Centre means that it would be halted for years and would consequently impact the future of the students keen to avail the scheme.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also took to micro-blogging site Twitter to express his dismay over the LG’s decision.
“LG Sir, its our duty to ensure best quality education to poor kids also. They too deserve it. Education Loan wud ensure that,” Kejriwal tweeted.
Meanwhile, the LG has rejected the allegation of the Delhi government. The statement issued by the LG office said that the file was only referred to the Centre’s approval because the law department had expressed some reservations about the implementation of the scheme.
“The  LG had only advised the education department to consult the  concerned ministry in GoI, which may have prior experience of such schemes, about the soundness of the scheme so as to avoid any legal and financial complications in future in the interest of students. It is reiterated that there has not been any rejection of the scheme,” the statement reads.

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