Pune, July 30th, 2023: The Education Department of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has taken a significant step towards supporting the education of students by disbursing Rs 10.09 crore as Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) amounts to more than 28,000 students from class 1 to 8 for the academic year 2023-24. This financial assistance, provided under the DBT scheme, aims to alleviate educational expenses for students enrolled in primary and secondary schools within the civic limits.
Under this scheme, students from class 1 to 4 receive Rs 3,500, while those from class 5 to 10 receive Rs 3,700, directly transferred to their bank accounts. The funding is intended to aid students in purchasing study materials, ensuring they have the necessary resources to excel in their academic pursuits.
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner, Shekhar Singh, emphasized the importance of DBT in enhancing the quality of academic materials. He stated, “In the past, we had received complaints from parents and activists about the quality of academic supplies. Now, with DBT, the choice of purchasing academic material is with parents, ensuring transparency and quality control.”
PCMC assistant commissioner, Shri Vijaykumar Thorat, explained the process of validating the usage of funds for academic purposes. Parents are required to submit their study material receipts to the respective school principal, enabling authorities to ensure that the funding is utilized solely for academic materials. The department also deploys supervisors to inspect and verify these receipts, ensuring adherence to the stipulated guidelines.
The officials also mentioned that for class 1 to 8, a few students had inaccuracies in their bank details, which are being promptly revised to facilitate a streamlined transfer of funds. Additionally, funding amounting to Rs 2.03 crore for class 8 to 10 students will be released this week.
Apart from the DBT initiative, the education department has also distributed 40,316 uniforms, further supporting the welfare and educational needs of the students. PCMC manages approximately 128 civic schools, including 110 primary schools and 18 secondary schools.
With the successful implementation of the DBT scheme and other supportive measures, PCMC is actively working towards ensuring that students receive the necessary assistance and resources to foster a conducive learning environment and excel in their academic journey. The financial aid provided through the DBT scheme will undoubtedly alleviate the burden of educational expenses for numerous students and contribute to the overall growth of education in the region.
