CENTRE TO MODIFY POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR SCHEDULED CASTE STUDENTS

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LOK SABHA

The government is considering several modifications to the centrally sponsored Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste Students. Stating this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya said that the changes include enhancement of rates of maintenance allowance, study tour charges, book grant for students pursuing studies through correspondence courses and thesis typing and printing charges. He said that other modifications include income ceiling of parents of SC students for eligibility for scholarship and regrouping of courses to four groups instead of existing five. Dr. Jatiya said that it is proposed to revise income ceiling once in every two years based on increase in the price index. He said that the Maintenance allowance is also proposed to be revised during the first year of the successive five year plans. The Minister said that about 19.26 lakh Scheduled Caste students are expected to benefit from the scheme during the current financial year.