Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday accused lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal of “blocking” the Delhi Government’s higher education loan scheme and claimed it would affect the future of lakhs of students.
Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, said that the l-G has asked the city Government to consult the Centre before the scheme, introduced in September 2015, is approved.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that keeping “political rivalry” aside, the l-G should approve the file pertaining to the scheme.
“Baijal has blocked education loan scheme by asking the Government to consult the Ministry concerned through Union Home Ministry. Advice from the Centre means scheme has halted for years. Why should the Delhi Government consult the CentreIJ We are providing loans to students from the Delhi taxpayers’ money,” Sisodia said.
Responding to Sisodia’s allegations, the Baijal’s office said, “The l-G has always supported such initiatives. In this case, the law department had expressed some reservations.”
“Hence, the l-G had only advised the education department to consult the concerned Ministry in Centre, 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,” it stated.
Under the scheme, students are provided loans up to Rs 10 lakh by banks with the Government as a guarantor. It had to be stopped after the Shunglu Committee, constituted by former l-G Najeeb Jung, found that the city Government did not take prior approval of the l-G before implementing the scheme.
Thereafter, the Government had sent the file to Baijal for his approval. Sisodia claimed that due to the l-G’s move, the Delhi Government will not be able to act as guarantor of students who want to avail loan under the initiative.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also appealed to the lG to approve the scheme, saying it ensures best quality education to poor students.
“lG Sir, it’s our duty to ensure best quality education to poor kids also. They too deserve it. Education loan wud ensure that (sic),” Kejriwal tweeted.
Sisodia said he would appeal to the lt Governor to approve the scheme. The AAP government has also proposed to extend the scheme to Delhi students who are pursuing higher education in other state-run institutions.