Srinagar, July 9: In a significant welfare initiative aimed at strengthening access to education for economically disadvantaged families, the Jammu and Kashmir Government announced a complete waiver of tuition and other admissible fees for students belonging to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families studying in Government Schools and Government Degree Colleges across the Union Territory.
The decision has been issued through separate government orders by the School Education Department and the Higher Education Department and has come into force with immediate effect.
According to the order issued by the School Education Department, students of Classes IX to XII enrolled in Government Schools and belonging to AAY households will be exempted from payment of all fees levied by government schools. The benefit will be available to students possessing a valid AAY Ration Card or any other prescribed proof of eligibility.
Similarly, the Higher Education Department has approved a 100 per cent fee waiver for eligible undergraduate students studying from the 1st to the 8th semester in Government Degree Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir.
The order specifies that the concession will be extended only to students belonging to AAY families who produce a valid AAY Ration Card or other prescribed supporting documents. However, students already receiving financial assistance or scholarships under any other government scheme will not be eligible for this benefit.
The government has clarified that the exemption will not apply to charges payable to any external statutory authority or examining body, where the concerned departments do not have the authority to waive such fees. Such payments will continue to be governed by the existing rules unless specifically exempted by the competent authority.
To ensure transparency in implementation, Heads of Institutions and Principals of Government Degree Colleges have been directed to thoroughly verify the eligibility of beneficiaries before granting the fee waiver. They have also been instructed to maintain proper records for audit, inspection and future verification.
The government further stated that the financial implications arising from the scheme will be assessed by the respective Directorates and submitted to the Administrative Departments for reimbursement through the Finance Department.
The Directors of School Education and Colleges have been asked to ensure strict implementation of the orders, including verification of beneficiaries, maintenance of records, effective monitoring and submission of periodic progress reports.
The initiative is expected to provide major financial relief to thousands of students from economically weaker AAY families and encourage greater access to quality education across the Union Territory.
