'LG blocking schemes for education of poor'

NEW DELHI: In a fresh tussle between the Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat and the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday accused LG Anil Baijal of "blocking" the Delhi government's higher education loan scheme, and claimed it would affect the future of lakhs of students.

Sisodia, who also holds the Education portfolio, said that the LG had asked the Delhi government to consult the Centre before the scheme, introduced in September 2015, is approved.

Addressing a press conference, the Sisodia said that keeping "political rivalry" aside, the LG should approve the file pertaining to the scheme.

"Baijal has blocked the education loan scheme by asking the government to consult the Ministry concerned through Union Home Ministry. Advice from the Centre means scheme has halted for years. Why should the Delhi government consult the Centre? We are providing loans to students from the Delhi taxpayers' money," said Sisodia.

Under the scheme, students are provided loans up to Rs 10 lakh by banks, with the government as a guarantor.

It had to be stopped after the Shunglu Committee, constituted by former LG Najeeb Jung, found that the Delhi government did not take prior approval of the LG before implementing the scheme. Thereafter, the government had sent the file to Baijal for his approval.

Sisodia claimed that due to the LG's move, the Delhi government will not be able to act as guarantor of students who want to avail loan under the initiative.