Shopian August 11:(KNS) Under ‘Project Assist’, the District Social Welfare Office Shopian has released Rs. 14.67 lakh as scholarship to 93 students rendered orphan, destitute in militancy related incidents.

These include 70 students of class 1st to 12th, 21 pursuing various under graduation and post graduation courses while 2 are pursuing professional courses.

Giving details about the ‘Project Assist’, District Social Welfare Officer Shopian, Mohammad Shafait said that it is a flagship scheme of the National Foundation for Communal Harmony where under financial assistance is provided to the children rendered orphan or destitute in various communal, caste, ethnic or terrorist violence for their care, education and training.

He added that under this project, monthly scholarship of Rs. 1250 is provided to students of class 1st to 12th, Rs. 1500 to students pursuing Graduation and Post-Graduation courses besides Rs. 1750 is provided to students pursuing professional courses (MBBS, Engineering etc).

Shafait said, there is no upper ceiling and all eligible students can avail scholarships under this flagship scheme.

Regarding eligibility, the DSWO informed that children whose parents (both or either of two) are killed or permanently incapacitated in militancy related incidents are eligible to avail benefits under ‘Project Assist’, provided they are enrolled in an educational institute and are below the age of 25 years.

He further said that a student becomes ineligible to avail benefits entailed under the project if he or she fails to pass a class for 3 consecutive years.(KNS)