Government today clarified that Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has rigorously followed with the implementing agencies so that the beneficiaries of scholarship schemes do not face any burden especially during the pandemic.<br />''<br />''Some news articles have mentioned that the students are facing a lot of hardships due to delay in disbursal of scholarship. Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry said in a release that under the flagship scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Castes Students, the Department has already released 75 percent of central share by June this year to all concerned States and UTs based on anticipated demand. Remaining release of 25 percent of the Central share has also been sanctioned on case to case basis.<br />'' <br />''All the implementing agencies have been asked to process the scholarship applications expeditiously so that students do not face any hardship. In all other schemes of the Department, funds are being released to the implementing agencies on a regular basis and close monitoring with the concerned authorities is being done on a day-to-day basis.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Disbursement of fellowships to SC beneficiaries under the Scheme of National Fellowships for SCs is monitored by the Department on a monthly basis with the UGC and other stakeholders. They have been directed by the Department of Social Justice to ensure timely disbursement of fellowships to the students under the scheme.</span><br />