Samagra Shiksha releases escort allowance to 1741 beneficiaries through DBT

Jammu: In pursuit of transparency and direct benefits to the beneficiaries, Directorate of Samagra Shiksha Thursday released Rs 43,52,500 under escort allowance to 1741 Children With Special Needs (CWSN) directly into their bank accounts
The initiative was taken by the State Project Director; Dr. Arun Manhas who said the pioneer step is envisaged to directly benefit the CWSN in a more transparent way.
Dr. Arun revealed that a total amount of Rs. 43,52,500 was credited to the beneficiary accounts as ‘Escort Allowance’ to 1741 CWSN of the state at Rs 2500 per beneficiary. Earlier the direct bank transfer was done on a pilot basis under which a total amount of Rs. 5,54,500 was credited to the beneficiary accounts.
Besides, Rs. 162000 was also transferred to all the 81 beneficiaries of state under ‘Reader Allowance’. All these specially-abled children are enrolled in government schools and/or receiving various therapeutic as well as educational support services through Special Education Teachers/Resource Persons..
Commissioner Secretary School Education, Sarita Chauhan, lauded the efforts made by Directorate of Samagra Shiksha and reiterated that DBT to beneficiaries must be extended to other allowances and categories as well.
Under the ambitious, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system funds are transferred by banks directly to bank accounts of beneficiaries.
Escort Allowance is generally provided to children affected with Blind, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, Autism and Multiple Disabilities.
However, through DBT, all kinds of approved allowances/stipends shall now be directly transferred to the bank accounts of beneficiaries after a proper verification and authentication method.