Panjab University’s research scholars have been hit hard by demonetisation as they haven’t received their scholarship grants since October. This has also resulted in the delay of their progressive reports that are updated through the bank every three and six months.
Research scholars claimed that demonetisation was keeping bank officials busy due to which their research continuation reports have been delayed and their research continuation report has been unnecessarily delayed.
Yudhvir Singh, a research scholar from the department of laws, said, “I receive the JRF scholarship grant worth Rs 25,000 per month and I haven’t received it since October. Even the Canara Bank, responsible for uploading our progressive reports, has not uploaded a single form on the website. Thus the verification of our progressive reports from the UGC will also get delayed because of the bank.”
The University Grants Commission has designated the Canara Bank for the disbursal of various scholarships/fellowships to selected candidates across the country. The bank is also responsible for uploading progressive and continuation reports.
Irked over the delay, Jagtar Singh, another research fellow from the university institute of applied medical sciences (UIAMS), said, “It’s the 10th month and I have not received my scholarship worth Rs 30,000 per month. It’s a struggle to manage without the grants. We have to take loans and demonetisation has made it harder for us.”
{{/usCountry}}Irked over the delay, Jagtar Singh, another research fellow from the university institute of applied medical sciences (UIAMS), said, “It’s the 10th month and I have not received my scholarship worth Rs 30,000 per month. It’s a struggle to manage without the grants. We have to take loans and demonetisation has made it harder for us.”
{{/usCountry}}He added, “I recently received an email from the UGC asking if I wished to continue with my research. This clearly shows that the bank has not uploaded our continuation or progressive reports.”
The funds are released by the UGC to students who crack the National Eligibility Test Junior Research Fellow. Students who avail hostel facilities get Rs 16,000 per month while those who do not stay in hostels receive Rs 19,000 per month.
“I strongly believe that the scholarship grant should not be confined to only one bank on campus. There should be an alternative so that we can easily withdraw our grants,” said Mahesh, another fellow.