Rs. 1544 CRORE ALLOCATED FOR
POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP FOR SCHEDULED CASTES DURING 10TH
PLAN
The Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment has allocated Rs. 1544.40 crore for implementing
the centrally sponsored scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for
students belonging to Scheduled Castes during the Tenth Plan.
Rs. 87 crore has also been allocated during the Plan for Pre-Matric
Scholarship for children of those engaged in unclean occupations.
Giving this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today,
the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri
Kailash Meghwal said that the Working group on Empowering the
Scheduled Castes during the 10th Plan recommended continuation
of these schemes with modifications to make them more effective.
He said the modifications suggested revision of the rates of scholarships
and allowances as well as revision of the income ceiling of the
family of the students and the revision of the funding system.
Shri Meghwal said that the Ministry has taken steps for revision
of these schemes accordingly. He said that these schemes are being
implemented by the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations
who identify the eligible students and make arrangements for disbursement
of scholarships. The States/Union Territories bear the committed
liability (to the extent of the last year of the previous plan).
Also 50% of the expenditure over and above the committed liability
is contributed by the State/ Union Territories in case of pre-Matric
Scholarships.