Pune: In a significant move to uplift the children of waste pickers residing within its jurisdiction, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has announced a financial aid scheme to support their education.

Under this initiative, children studying from grades 1 to 7 will receive ₹4,000, and those in grades 8 to 10 will be granted ₹6,000. This scheme aims to raise the living standards of these children, empower them, and prevent financial difficulties from hindering their education. The proposal has been approved by Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh.

To avail of this financial assistance, students must provide several documents, including an Aadhaar card, voter ID, previous year's mark sheet, a bonafide certificate from the current school, and a copy of the bank account passbook.

Additionally, a certificate proving that their waste-picker parent is a member of a registered waste-picker organization is required. For students in grades 8 to 10 who achieve 50% or more, an additional ₹7,000 will be provided to purchase bicycles.

In a parallel initiative, the Slum Eradication and Rehabilitation Department, in association with the voluntary organization Yojak, has launched a project to set up study centers in slums across the city.

The first such center, named Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Study Center, has already been established at Sanjay Gandhinagar in Moshi.

Inspired by this, more study centers will be set up throughout slum areas to provide students with access to books, educational materials, and free career guidance services.

Additional Commissioner Chandrakant Indalkar, Deputy Commissioner Anna Bodade, and Renu Inamdar from Yojak attended the announcement event.

Commissioner Singh stated that the initiative would be extended to all regional offices across the city, emphasizing the goal of encouraging students to develop an interest in studying. The study centers will offer educational and career guidance for students from grades 5 to 12.