The Minister for
Social Justice & Employment Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya inaugurated
the National Scholarship Scheme For Persons with Disabilities
with awarding scholarships to about 50 students from different
parts of the country at a function here today. The Scheme, launched
by his Ministry from the current financial year for awarding
500 scholarships each year, is in response to one of the initiatives
announced by the Prime Minister on the Independence Day last
year. The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance
to students with disabilities for pursuing higher and technical
education.
Felicitating the
recipients of the scholarships, the Minister for Social Justice
& Employment Dr. Jatiya said that the Scheme would not only
provide financial support to the needy children with disabilities
but also encourage family and community support to them in getting
proper education. He sought cooperation from all in implementing
laws enacted for welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Dr. Jatiya suggested institution of an award scheme for the
NGOs doing exemplary work in the field of social justice. He
expressed the hope that with more publicity and awareness, all
the scholarships would be utilised from next year onwards.
The Minister also
released a book entitled "An Introduction to Neuro Development
Disorders of Children" by Mervyn A. Fox, a world renowned development
Pediatrician. He presented the first copy of the book to Shrimati
Merry Barua, a parent of a young person with Autism. Acknowledging
Dr. Fox’s contributution in helping people suffering from various
mental disorders, Dr. Jatiya said the book will help to raise
the profile of mental disorders like Autism, Celebral Palsy,
Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities in India through
dissemination of information on the latest research findings.
180 awardees were
found eligible for grant of scholarships out of 1800 applicants.
65 of them are female students with disabilities. The maximum
number of 35 awardees are from Tamil Nadu followed by 20 from
Andhara Pradesh, 18 from Karnataka, 16 from Uttar Pradesh, 12
from Kerala, 10 each Delhi and Gujarat, 7 each from Bihar and
Haryana and 6 each from Madhya Pradesh and Punjab. The remaining
awardees are from Assam, Chandigarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra,
Orissa, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttranchal, Himachal Pradesh
and Pondicherry.
The amount of award
will vary among courses and will also depend on availability
of hostel/residential facility in the institution. The rate
of scholarship for pursuing Ph.D/M.Phil and post-graduate level
courses would be Rs.1000 per month in case of hostlers and Rs.700/-
in case of day scholars. Similar rate of scholarship would be
provided to students pursuing graduate level courses in engineering,
Indian and other systems of medicine, agriculture, veterinary,
information technology, bio-technology, education management,
architecture, physiotherapy, music and other professional courses.
In case of diploma and certificate level professional courses,
the rate of scholarship would be Rs.700/- per month for hostlers
and Rs.400/- for day scholars. The awardees will also be reimbursed
the course fees upto Rs.10,000/- per year. They will also be
supported with financial assistance for acquiring special aids
and appliances for pursuing their studies. These would include
purchase of a computer with editing software for blind and deaf
graduate and post-graduate students pursuing professional courses
and purchase of support access software for cerebral palsied
students.
