Lok Sabha Question No. 515 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-19
Subject: Welfare Schemes for Economically Weaker Sections
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †515 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2017

## WELFARE SCHEMES FOR ECONOMICALLY WEAKER SECTIONS

## †515. SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government proposes to launch welfare schemes for the economically weaker sections of the society without disturbing the existing system and without taking caste and race into account;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to provide concession in requisite fees in employment, education and other sectors for the people belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The Government is implementingfollowing Schemes for Economically Backward Classes (EBCs):
- (i)   Dr. Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs).
- (ii)  Dr.  Ambedkar Centrally Sponsored Post-Matric Scholarship for the Economically Backward Classes (EBC) Students.

In addition from the year 2017-18, Central Sector Scheme  of Assistance to Voluntary Organizations working for welfare of OBC has been revised with focus on skill development and has been launched  as  'Assistance  for  Skill  Development  of  OBCs/DNTs/EBCs',  involving  National  Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation.

- (b): The details are given at Annexure.
- (c) & (d):  Under the Dr. Ambedkar Centrally Sponsored Post-Matric Scholarship for the Economically Backward Classes, the scholarship inter-alia includes reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees to EBC students.

As regards concession in requisite fees in employment and other sectors, the extant rules provide concession to such classes which are covered under Constitutional provisions.

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## Annexure as referred to in part (c) & (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 515 for 19.12.2017.

## 1. Dr.  Ambedkar  Central  Sector  Scheme  of  Interest  Subsidy  on  Educational  Loans  for Overseas  Studies  for  Other  Backward  Classes  (OBCs)  and  Economically  Backward  Classes (EBCs)

The objective of the scheme is to award interest subsidy to meritorious OBC and EBC students so as to provide them better opportunities for higher education abroad and enhance their employability. To be eligible under the scheme, a student should come under the income ceiling of Rs. 3.00 lakh per annum for OBCs and for EBCs it is Rs 1.00 lakh per annum. 50 % of the outlay every year is earmarked for  Girl  students.    The  students  should  have  secured  admission  in  the  approved  courses  at  Masters, M.Phil  or  Ph.D  levels  abroad.  He/She  should  have  availed  loan  from  a  scheduled  bank  under  the Education Loan Scheme of the Indian Banks Association (IBA) for the purpose.

Under the scheme, interest payable by the students availing the education loans of the IBA for the period of  moratorium (i.e.  course  period,  plus  one  year  or  six  months  after  getting  job,  whichever  is earlier) as prescribed under the Education Loan Scheme of the IBA, shall be borne by the Government of India. After the period of moratorium is over, the interest on the outstanding loan amount shall be paid by the student, in accordance with the existing Educational Loan Scheme as may be amended from time to time. The candidate will bear the Principal installments and interest beyond moratorium period. The Scheme was launched in 2014-15.  The Canara Bank has been nominated as Nodal Bank under the Scheme.

## 2. Dr.Ambedkar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for the Economically Backward Classes (EBC) Students.

This  is  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  being  implemented  through  the  State  Government  and Union Territories w.e.f. 2014-15. The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to the EBC  students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage. The income ceiling of parents/guardians for eligibility is Rs.1.00 lakh per annum (including self-income, if employed).

The Scheme is a 'Funds-Limited' Scheme.  The funds will be released to the States on first-come first-served  basis,  subject  to  a  maximum  amount  to  be  worked  out  every  year  based  on  total  budget made available that year, under the scheme.

## 3. Assistance for Skill Development of OBCs/DNTs/EBCs

The aim of the scheme is to involve the voluntary sector and National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) to improve educational and socio- economic conditions of the  target  group  i.e.  OBCs/DNTs/EBCs,  with  a  view  to  upgrade  their  skill  to  enable  them  to  start income generating activities on their own or get gainfully employed in some sector or the other. The Government of India meets 90% of the approved expenditure of the training programme. The scheme has  been  revised  in  2017-18  with  focus  on  skill  development.  Moreover, the  scheme  has  been  made completely online from 2014-15.