In push for financial aid for children of construction workers, Delhi govt sets deadline for schools

The Delhi BOCW Welfare Board, in coordination with the Directorate of Education (DoE), is overseeing the disbursal for the academic year 2024–25.

As per a circular dated April 25, the board shared the eligible workers’ data with the DoE. It also underlines the aid to be given to students of different classes — Rs 500 per month for students of Classes 1 to 8, Rs 700 per month for Class 9 or 10 students, and Rs 1,000 per month for Class 11 or 12 students.

Previously, there have been several issues in implementing the financial assistance scheme. Due to a lack of a robust verification mechanism, eligible beneficiaries were left out, and sometimes, ineligible workers were included.

There was no clear grievance redressal mechanism, and the process was delayed because it was not time-bound, as highlighted in a Delhi High Court petition filed by State Nirman and Building Kamgar Union last year.

The DoE has proposed a standard operating procedure wherein a timeline has been set for school heads to enter the children’s data, complete verification, and release funds (by August 1).

According to the latest circular, the DoE has directed them to enter the data of wards of eligible construction workers by May 30. It has instructed the schools not to ask students or parents for any other documents other than the passbook or registration card (for construction workers).

Certain additional features have also been included in the data entry module to check if the name of the cardholder tallies with the school record or if the student is repeating the same class, among other things.

“In the process of data entry, due care should be exercised to ensure accurate information or data of eligible students to avoid payment to non-eligible students,” read the circular.

It added that the school head would be responsible for the “non-inclusion of eligible students” and the “inclusion of ineligible students” under the scheme.