The Antyodaya Yojna might have been launched for those who don’t even have the access to two square meals every day and are even below the category of BPl. But, for Ranchi University and affiliated colleges, Antyodaya Card holders are not BPl ones.
A 100 per cent differently-abled girl Raunak Khushnuma, who walks on artificial legs wants admission in Women’ College in B.Ed. course.
Though her name is there in college list of those granted admission, this Scheduled Caste minority girl from lake Road can’t get admission, as she doesn’t have some Rs70,000 to pay as course fees, which she wants to be waived off.
Khushnuma has been wandering from pillar to post in all her pain, begging from the Vice Chancellor of Ranchi University (RU) to Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) for help.
She carries an Antyodaya Card with her, which means she and her family live in even worst conditions than that of a BPl family.
“Raunak must have to present BPl Card if she wants her fees waved off,” said RU VC RK Pandey on Wednesday. Women’s College Principal Manju Sinha, who was also present with the VC at his chamber, echoed similar views.
“last time when fresh BPl Cards were made in our ward, we were not added into it and were put into Antyodaya Yojna, as we have no source of income at all. Everybody said that having Antyodaya Card meant BPl Card purposes solved,” said dejected Raunak. She added that her family still carried older BPl Card, though useless after Antyodaya was issued, just as a proof that it was a family under BPl.
Raunak did get a faint hope of help from DC (Ranchi), who directed her to RMC to get a letter from some officials in the organization that having Antyodaya Card meant that she was entitled to take benefits of BPl.
“I fail to understand why he (DC) directed the poor girl to us, when he himself is the right authority to do everything in this regard. However, we are trying to do at least something for this girl”, said Additional Municipal Commissioner Vidyanand Sharma ‘Pankaj’.
However, taking pity of the conditions, Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Vijayvargeeya issued a letter to her. This letter said that her name was left out of BPl list but she carried an Antyodaya Card and was entitled to take facilities of BPl. “This letter means nothing to me,” said the VC.
Social Welfare, Welfare, and Women and Child Development (including Minority Affairs) Minister Dr. louis Marandi expressed surprise when she came to know of the case.
“I am shocked and surprised why she is being asked a BPl Card at first place. Prima facie, she is entitled to get her fees waved off,” said Marandi. She also said that she would talk to the Governor in this regard, and would try to help Raunak out for a better future.