Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has started to transfer financial aid into the bank accounts of civic school students to buy educational supplies a month after the academic session began.Around Rs22 crore was deposited into the accounts of 59,795 primary school students from classes I to VIII under the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme.PMC officials said the funds would allow parents to purchase uniforms, bags, shoes, socks, notebooks, stationery and sweaters. “Parents have been told to submit the receipts to the respective school principals promptly,” said a senior civic official.However, officials said the fund distribution had been delayed for several students’ groups and money was yet to be transferred for students in kindergarten, Class I and new admissions wherein the permanent education number registration was being processed on the U-DISE portal. Additionally, the DBT billing process for 12,000 secondary section students was still underway and expected to be completed before Aug 15.Senior educationist Mahendra Ganpule said the timetable to distribute material should be brought ahead. “The happiness students feel to receive new stationery on the first day of school is priceless. The authorities can revise the timetable to make it happen,” he said.Ganpule said the authorities could estimate the number of eligible students and finalise the list in the first week of May. The process of funds distribution could be carried out accordingly. Students would have ample time to buy the educational material.“The DBT process was initiated on June 18, a departure from the previous three years when the process began in Aug. However, the implementation was delayed for a few days due to the model code of conduct for the Legislative Council elections,” said a senior PMC official.“The civic body is trying to ensure students get their educational material on time. The digital payment process has been introduced for the same,” said chairman of the standing committee Shrinath Bhimale.
