Lok Sabha Question No. 395 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-19
Subject: Welfare of Economically Weaker Sections
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 395 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.11.2019

## WELFARE OF ECONOMICALLY WEAKER SECTIONS

## 395. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

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

- (a) the total number of people in the country recognized under Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category. State-wise;
- (b) the details of such people. genderwise and age-wise;
- C) whether the Government aims to introduce more measures for the welfare of the Economically Weaker Sections in the country;
- (d) if so. the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): No Census/Survey has been conducted for Economically Weaker Section category by this Ministry/Govt: of India as the reservation for EWS started in January. 2019. only

(c) to (e): No Sir; because Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is already implementing the following schemes for welfare of Economically Weaker Section:

- Dr. Ambedkar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships for the Economically Backward Class (EBC) Students.
- Ambedkar  Central Sector   Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for Other Backward Classes   (OBCs) and   Economically Backward Classes (EBCs).
- (iii) Assistance for Skill Development of OBCs/DNTs/EBCs.

Details about the three Schemes are at Annexure.

## The Schemes for the welfare of EBCs:

## Annexure

## Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for the Students belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs)

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, income ceiling as per extant Creamy Layer criteria for OBCs and for EBCs it is Rs 2.50 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 PhD 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.

## Dr.Ambedkar Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for students belonging to Economically Backward Classes (EBCs)

This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through the State Government and Union Territories 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.OO lakh per annum (including selfincome. 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. being

## 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 socioeconomic 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 gainfully employed in some sector O 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. get