Therev is only one reference in the shach to “melamdim and lomdim” 9see R’moshe’s teshuva that daas yochid quoted).
One is enough for me. R’ Moshe is quite clear that he is very much referring to kollel stipends.
it is the misuse of these deferments that rankles people.
The Chazon Ish was said to be very disturbed by exemptions being given to bochurim who weren’t really learning.
But, the decision of who should receive exemptions and who should not, is not something that we can allow to be made by the Israeli government. They are certainly not trustworthy to leave alone those who are serious learners. And, as I quoted R’ Moshe, we could use many talmidei chachomim learning, not just a select few as you state.