New Delhi: The Supreme Court, in a unique initiative, will be handing over scholarship letters to 1000 female students from vulnerable sections to help them complete their school education.
ThePrint has learnt that the top court, through the State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs), is identifying the children. Sources said the scheme took shape at the instance of Chief Justice Surya Kant.
In a letter written earlier this month to all SLSAs, the Court asked the respective member secretaries to identify suitable beneficiaries of the scheme.
The letter, which ThePrint has seen, outlined the criteria for identifying candidates for the scholarship grant, which will extend financial support to the students for the next four years. As per the letter, girls studying in Class VIII and above will be eligible to receive the annual grant of Rs 50,000 for four years. The funds for the said scheme will be provided by Coal India Limited from its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budget.
Eligible girls include those who have lost their both parents; who have lost their bread winning parent; girls with physical disabilities; girls whose parents are not able to support their education; girls whose father is in jail and mother is not earning enough to support her education; and tribal girls whose both parents are not earning enough to support her education.
Asking the SLSAs to undertake due diligence in identifying the beneficiaries, the letter has set 31 July as the final deadline to submit the names.
An officer familiar with the development told ThePrint that Coal India Private Limited has come on board for the second time to collaborate with the apex court on a welfare initiative.
“In 2024, when Justice DY Chandrachud was the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court gave similar one-time financial aid to children who lost their parents during covid. When the proposal was under discussion then, one of the Supreme court officers suggested speaking to Coal India Limited for its participation. Even then the identification exercise was carried out by the SCLSCs, who finalized the list of such children on the basis of the guidelines fixed by the top court,” the officer said.
Since Coal India had collaborated with the SC on its last project, the company was approached again to provide financial assistance with respect to its latest project. Under the scheme, Coal India will transfer the amount directly into the female beneficiary’s bank account and the SLSA will ensure the money is utilized for the intended purpose.
Some of the chosen candidates, from Delhi and nearby states, would be handed over the scholarship letters on 23 August, the day when the Court will culminate its month-long Samadhan Samaroh (a special mediation drive) with a special Lok Adalat. CJI Surya Kant will personally give the letters to the girls. However, those who live in faraway states will receive the grant letters by the head of the SLSA and a senior Coal India officer.
(Edited by Vidhi Bhutra)