2L students deprived of funds to buy uniforms, books in 2023-24; MCD cites lack of bank accounts

OVER 2 lakh students studying in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools did not receive direct benefit transfers meant for uniforms, notebooks and stationery, and school bags, in the 2023-24 academic year, according to the MCD.

This, as per the MCD, is because these students do not have operational bank accounts in which they can receive these benefits.

Out of 7,88,224 students studying in MCD schools, 2,19,457 students do not have bank accounts, the MCD said in a recent response submitted to the Delhi High Court.

A public interest litigation filed by NGO Social Jurist in the Delhi HC earlier this year had said that students in MCD schools, and those under the Delhi government’s Directorate of Education, are “being deprived of statutory benefits like uniform, writing material, notebook, scholarship etc.”

The PIL had asked that directions be issued to the MCD and the Directorate of Education to ensure that all students studying in their schools have operational bank accounts, and that benefits be provided to students through bearer cheques till these accounts are opened.

In its recent response, dated April 20, before the HC, the MCD said: “It is highlighted that one of the biggest hurdles in making the benefits available to the students is the fact that a substantial number of students do not have operational bank accounts in which to receive monetary benefits.

A major reason for the said lack of bank accounts appears to be that the students concerned do not have Aadhaar cards or other valid residential proof.”

For the 2023-24 academic year, 2,73,346 students in MCD schools have not received benefits (uniform items, notebooks and stationery, and school bags), according to the MCD’S response. This is out of 7,88,224 students enrolled, and the reason identified for this is “long absentees and not having a bank account.”

In the 2022-23 academic year, out of 7,58,725 students enrolled, 5,06,386 did not receive benefits for uniforms, and the reason identified for this is “non-formation of standing committee, long absentees, and not having bank account.” That year, a total of 4,55,389 children did not receive school bags for lack of a standing committee.

Directions have been issued to zonal officials to ensure bank accounts are opened for all students and these officials have been contacting local bank branches to expedite the process, the MCD has said in its response. Direct benefit transfers cannot be affected to students through bearer cheques as central government guidelines from 2015 mandate that departments are to transfer funds electronically, it added.

Out of 7,88,224 students studying in MCD schools, 2,19,457 students do not have bank accounts, the MCD said in a recent response submitted to the Delhi High Court. This is because the students do not have Aadhaar cards or other valid residential proof