The Department of Higher and Technical Education has begun an inquiry into allegations of irregularities in the distribution of financial assistance to Centac-sponsored students in engineering and medical colleges under Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Financial Assistance Scheme.
Based on a complaint by Pondicherry Students and Parents Welfare Assoc iation president V Balasubramanian, the department began the inquiry, director of higher education T Karikalam, told Express.
Balasubramanian in his complaint alleged that for reimbursement of tuition fees of students eligible under the scheme, cheques have been issued in a name slightly different from the name of the beneficiary and the money deposited in the account has been withdrawn. He alleged that around 15 cases came to his notice and the beneficiary didn’t get the amount. But the fictitious person withdrew the amount, he alleged.
When asked about the issue, Karikalan said it would take four to five days to find out the facts.
Meanwhile, the local unit of the PMK has urged the UT government to release the financial assistance for the Centac-sponsored students.
Puducherry PMK convenor R K R Anantharaman said as the fee has not been paid by the government, the managements of the self- financing colleges are ‘harassing’ the students. Some institutions have told the students that they would not be permitted to write the forthcoming semester exam, he said.