Lok Sabha Question No. 2606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-01
Subject: Financial Assistance for SC/OBC Students
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2606 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2017

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SC/OBC STUDENTS

## 2606. SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  increase  the  financial  assistance/grants  for SC/OBC students to the States and NGOs working for their welfare and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the rates/ norms for some of the schemes have been revised lately;
- (c) whether there is scope for further revision; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

- (a)  and  (b):    Government  has  taken  various  steps  like  increasing  the  income  ceiling  in  the eligibility criteria and revision of the rates to increase the financial assistance/grants for SC/OBC students to the States under relevant Centrally Sponsored Schemes and NGOs working for their welfare. The details are annexed.
- (c) and (d): The Schemes are reviewed from time to time and rates of financial assistance/grants including the eligibility criteria are changed on the basis of needs, subject to the availability of budget.

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## ANNEXURE AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARA (a) AND (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2606 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01-08-2017

|   Sl. | Scheme Name                                                            | Details of revision Done                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|-------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|     1 | BabuJagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana- BJRCY                              | During 2014, the cost per inmate under this scheme has been revised from Rs. 2.00 lakh to Rs. 3.50 lakh for North Eastern States, Rs. 3.25 lakh for North Himalayan Region and Rs. 3.00 lakh for rest of the country.                                                                                      |
|     2 | Grant in Aid to Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of SCs | The rates under the Scheme were revised upwardly in 2014 and the same rates are effective since then.                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|     3 | Post-Matric Scholarship for Schedule Caste Students (PMS-SC)           | With effect from academic session 2013-14 the annual income criteria for parents/guardians has been increased from Rs. 2.0 Lakh to Rs. 2.5 Lakh. The maintenance allowance paid to the students was enhanced in 2010.                                                                                      |
|     4 | Upgradation of Merit of SC Students                                    | The Scheme for Upgradation of Merit of SC students was revised during 2013 and package grant was enhanced from Rs. 15,000/- per student per year to Rs. 25,000/-                                                                                                                                           |
|     5 | Construction of Hostels for OBC Boys &Girls                            | During 2014, the cost per inmate under this scheme has been revised from Rs. 1.40 lakh to Rs. 3.50 lakh for North Eastern States, Rs. 3.25 lakh for North Himalayan Region and Rs. 3.00 lakh for rest of the country.                                                                                      |
|     6 | Post Matric Scholarship for OBC                                        | With effect from academic session 2011-12 the annual income criteria for parents/guardians has been increased from Rs. 44,500 to Rs. 1.0 Lakh. For thepurpose of maintenance allowance paid to the students Courses were also re-grouped.The maintenance allowance paid to the students was also enhanced. |