SCs, STs concerned over delay in grant of scholarships to students

June 19, 2011

Mangalore, June 19: Activists working for the cause of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) on Saturday expressed their concern over the delay in grant of financial aid and scholarships to children of the SCs and STs.

They were participating in a meeting to discuss about atrocities on the SCs and STs in Mangalore taluk, presided over by Assistant Commissioner Prabhuling Kavalikatti.

M.A. Naik, president of Marathi Sangha, accused a city college of causing delay in releasing financial aid to a student. The city corporation annually gave Rs. 2,000 as assistance to each student. Every year, the college received a cheque for the total amount of aid of the SC/ST students in the college in December. “The college has been keeping the amount with it and releasing it only around April,” he said.

Mr. Naik objected to the way the college was keeping applications for financial aid pending by claiming applicants had higher family income. “The applications have to be scrutinised by the Social Welfare Department. The college has to just forward the applications it receives,” Mr. Naik said. Students were being sent away by the college management if they asked about the status of their applications, he added.

Mr. Kavalikatti said surprise visits would be made to institutions to look into the process related to the financial aid.

No college management was allowed to keep the applications pending, he said.

Scholarship

Jinappa Bangera from the Dalita Hitarakshana Vedike alleged that there was considerable delay in releasing scholarships to students who had their accounts in banks other than the State Bank of India or State Bank of Mysore.

Mangalore Taluk Social Welfare Officer Reddy Naik said the delay was because of the time taken by the State Bank of India officials in entering the code that facilitates inter-bank funds transfer. “They have expressed difficulty in transfer of funds. We have issued instructions to new applicants to open their accounts in SBI/SBM banks,” he said.

Ramesh Kotian, district convenor of the Dalita Sangharsha Samiti (Dr. Ambedkar Vada), said the delay at the taluk office in getting SC/ST certificates and other records from the records room. “We have to wait for five hours even for enquiry,” he said.

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Stranded, hungry, and helpless: Last-minute cancellation of Dammam flight sparks chaos at Mangaluru Airport

News Network

November 24,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 24: The original departure time of 11.10 pm was a distant memory for scores of Dammam-bound passengers at Mangaluru International Airport last Friday night, as their Air India Express flight was abruptly cancelled at the eleventh hour, sparking hours of frustration and chaos.

The flight, IX 885, initially scheduled to depart at 11.10 pm on November 22, was subject to two back-to-back reschedules—first pushed to 11.45 pm and then significantly postponed to 1.40 am—before the final, crushing announcement of cancellation was made. For the travellers, many of whom are likely expatriate workers with tight schedules, the last-minute change marked the beginning of a distressing ordeal.

"There was no drinking water, no food, and absolutely no proper guidance. We were left stranded like refugees," complained a stranded passenger.

According to multiple passenger accounts, the airline's ground staff failed to provide adequate support or essential amenities following the cancellation. Complaints poured in about the total absence of drinking water, food provisions, and any reliable guidance from the carrier's representatives. Travellers alleged they were left stranded for a considerable period, with no immediate arrangements or clear communication offered regarding accommodation or alternative travel to send them back home.

The incident has highlighted serious concerns over the carrier's contingency planning and customer service protocols during flight disruptions at one of India's key international gateways. The airline is yet to issue a comprehensive statement addressing the alleged lapse in passenger care.

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