Contact beneficiaries of Vidya Laxmi scheme: GSCPCR to Govt.

Panaji: The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) on Thursday directed the Directorate of Tribal Welfare to take immediate steps as regards unclaimed fixed deposits under the Vidya Laxmi scheme, amounting to over Rs 2.37 crore, which are lying unclaimed with the directorate. The scheme is meant for investment in the form of a fixed deposit by a girl child from the Scheduled Tribe community, funded by the government.

There are as many as 950 deposit receipts that are left without withdrawal by the beneficiaries, probably due to oversight and lack of reminders.

The child rights body issued the directive after taking suo motu cognizance of a report that appeared in this daily bringing to the fore the unreleased financial assistance of the period between 2011-12 to 2018-19. It has sought an action taken report from the government within 30 days.

The matter raises concerns over the potential neglect of girl children’s educational opportunities, particularly of those belonging to the Scheduled Tribe community, said chairperson of the child rights body Peter Borges.

“Our duty is to ensure that no child is left behind due to procedural neglect. The unclaimed scholarships represent not just funds, but unfulfilled aspirations of girl students,” he said, calling the decision to revert unclaimed funds to the state treasury after a 90-day period as unjust.

“In an era where the state government champions the Sarkar Tumchya Dari initiative, aiming for doorstep delivery of transparent and efficient governance, this oversight contradicts the mission to meet the aspirations of the people, especially the young and vulnerable,” the commission stated.