Hyderabad: After domestic LPG consumers, the attempt to force citizens to get Aadhaar numbers will affect students the most.

The state government has made it mandatory for students to submit Aadhaar numbers to claim scholarships and fee reimbursement from this year (2013-14).

Out of 28 lakh students who submitted applications for scholarships and fee reimbursement, only 18 lakh have submitted Aadhaar numbers so far. That leaves a massive backlog of 10 lakh students.

Aadhaar to hit old students the most

Students who have migrated to Hyderabad from other districts in the state to pursue various professional and degree courses in colleges of the city are in trouble due to few indispensable requirements of Aadhaar scheme.

To get their Aadhaar numbers, they need to submit address proof, which they can’t. Since, submitting Aadhaar details has been made compulsory by the authorities for students who want fee reimbursements or scholarships, such students who can’t submit the same within due time may land in trouble.

“There is no problem with the freshers who took admission this year as they have submitted Aadhaar numbers. The problem is with old students who took admission two or three years ago and are set to finish their course.

If they do not submit Aadhaar numbers by June, we can’t release scholarships and fee reimbursements. We are helpless in this issue as the Centre has made Aadhaar card mandatory for disbursal of scholarships,” said Raymond Peter, principal secretary, social welfare department.

He said students were alerted about the Aadhaar requirement last year and had enough time to get themselves enrolled in their native places. Though Aadhaar is not compulsory, various welfare schemes have made it compulsory.

Source : DC