Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal today dubbed as "unfortunate" Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's accusation that he was blocking the AAP government's higher education loan scheme and said his advice to help make the initiative more robust was misconstrued as disapproval.
In a letter to Sisodia, Baijal suggested incorporation of some safeguards including ensuring of responsibilities of the lending institutions and linkage of loan with Aadhar number in the education loan scheme.
After the LG's response, Sisodia took to twitter to say that that all safeguards are already built-in and the file will be sent back to Baijal. He voiced hope that the LG would swiftly give his nod.
The LG, in his letter, said it was unfortunate that "misinformation was spread all over the media" on the isssue and underscored that in today's world, higher education is no "longer a luxury" and it is essential for national, social and economic development.
Under the scheme, students are provided loans up to Rs 10 lakh by banks with the government as a guarantor.
Last week, the deputy chief minister had accused Baijal of "blocking" the higher education loan scheme after he advised the government to consult the Centre before the implementation of scheme.
"In the letter, the Lt Governor has stated that it is unfortunate that his advice to help make this initiative (scheme) more robust in the interest of students of Delhi was misconstrued as disapproval and this misinformation was spread all over the media," the LG office said in a statement.
Baijal stressed that any student loan scheme should meet the twin criteria of being 'need-based' and 'generally available'.
"But at the same time, the challenges of non availability of loans, high default rate, need for proper due diligence by the banks, non-participation of the educational institutions, equity of access, improper data collection, tracking of students also need to be addressed," the LG office quoted Baijal as saying in the letter to Sisodia.
The LG has asked the administrative department to analyse whether establishing a company as done at the national level for administering the educational guarantee would be a better alternative than a trust in terms of accounting and statutory controls, flexibility and organisational structure.
"Lt Governor has stated in his letter that the administrative department is free to proceed if it has already taken care of these issues and incorporated them in the proposed scheme.
"However, if not, the department should be advised to incorporate some of these safeguards that are in the interest of the students of Delhi," the statement stated.
Sisodia tweeted that he had received the letter from the LG.
"Appreciate his concern for safeguards. But all safeguards r already built into Edu-Loan Scheme. Shall be highlighting them and sending file back to Hon'ble @LtGovDelhi (sic).
"Am sure there will be swift concurrence from @LtGovDelhi on noting safeguards, as he too shares my concerns for students of Delhi," he said.
In the past, the LG office and the AAP dispensation have been at loggerheads over a range of issues, including opening of mohallas clinics and transfer and posting of officials.
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