With the onset of the winter season, winter classes in council schools commenced on 1 October. However, since then, approximately 10,000 students in the district have been forced to attend school without sweaters, shoes, and socks, leaving them to struggle in the cold.
The primary cause of this distress is the delay in the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), as the funds meant for uniforms and winter essentials have not yet been deposited into their parents' accounts.
Delays Despite Completed Formalities
Teachers maintain that all student details have been duly updated on the official portal. Similarly, parents state that their bank account details are correct. Despite this, they have not received the scheme's benefits even seven months into the academic session, leading to frequent visits by parents to schools to inquire about the funds.
Current Status: Around 11 per cent of students in the district have been deprived of the DBT so far.
Recurring Issue: Although government directives strictly state that no child should remain without a uniform or winter gear, approximately 6,000 to 7,000 students miss out on these benefits every year.
Timeline: DBT payments generally commence in April, yet thousands remain unpaid as winter begins.
Breakdown Of DBT Funds
Under the scheme, the government transfers a total of Rs 1,200 per student annually to the parents' accounts. The breakdown of the allocation is as follows:
Uniform: Rs 600
Sweater: Rs 200
School Bag: Rs 175
Shoes and Socks: Rs 125
Stationery: Rs 100
Official Statement
Addressing the concerns, Rahul Panwar, Basic Education Officer (BSA), Gautam Buddh Nagar, stated that funds have already been transferred to the majority of parents via DBT. He assured that the remaining payments would be deposited shortly, emphasising that no student would be deprived of the scheme's benefits.
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