Chennai: The state govt on Saturday released ₹23.95 lakh in financial assistance to research scholar Bharathidasan Raman under the Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship programme, ending the months-long controversy over the delay. “We released the funds to the research scholar today,” Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu said.The 27-year-old scholar’s case was also raised during the recently concluded Assembly session. The issue resurfaced recently after Bharathidasan, a native of Usilampatti in Madurai district, posted a video alleging that the minister was “torturing” him by withholding the funds. He claimed the delay could lead to his termination from the National University of Malaysia, where he is pursuing research.Department officials said the funds were released on the minister’s instructions. The research contingency grant for the current academic year has been transferred directly to the university administration, while the personal allowance has been credited to Bharathidasan’s bank account. An instalment of ₹12.21 lakh has been disbursed to him during the current academic year.
