Lok Sabha Question No. 659 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-06
Subject: Scholarship for Girl Children of ST
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Kalyan Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 659 ANSWERED ON - 06.02.2023

## Scholarship for Girl Children of ST

## 659.  SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  during  the  last  four  consecutive  years  the  budget  for  tribal  sector  has showed a massive cut from the scholarship incentive scheme for girl children of scheduled tribes and rural areas under national scheme for incentive to girls;
- (b) if so, the details of allocation of funds during the last five years and the revised budget during the period therefor; and
- (c) the reasons behind the cut in the incentives to girl children?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)

- (a)  &  (b): The  details  of  the  funds  allocated,  sanctioned  and  number  of  beneficiaries  under National Scheme of Incentive to  Girls for Secondary Education  (NSIGSE)  in  last  five  years  are  as follows:

| (Rs. in Crore)   | (Rs. in Crore)   | (Rs. in Crore)          | (Rs. in Crore)   | (Rs. in Crore)   |
|------------------|------------------|-------------------------|------------------|------------------|
| S .No.           | Financial Year   | Funds allocated only BE | No. of Girls     | Total Sanctioned |
| 1                | 2017-18          | 320.00                  | 973330           | 292.38           |
| 2                | 2018-19*         | 255.90                  | 548396           | 164.58           |
| 3                | 2019-20#         | 100.00                  | 28547            | 8.56             |
| 4                | 2020-21^         | 0                       | 0                | 0                |
| 5                | 2021-22^         | 0                       | 0                | 0                |
| Total            | Total            | 675.90                  | 1550273          | 465.52           |

(c): The NSIGSE scheme has been discontinued w.e.f. the year 2018-19 due to inherent issues in  the  design  and  implementation  of  the  scheme.  However,  this  Ministry  remains  strongly committed to the education of girl child, specially those belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled  Tribe  (ST)  and  other  disadvantaged  groups.  Education  of  girl  child  is  a  critical component  in  various  interventions  of  the   Department   of   School   Education  and  Literacy. Several measures for education of girls are being implemented through the flagship scheme of Samagra Shiksha being operated by this Department. Some of them are as follows:-

- Up-gradation of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) from Class 6-8 to Class 612, which mainly cater to SC, ST and BPL girl students.
- Self-defence training for girls from upper primary to senior secondary stage.
- Enhanced commitment to 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao'.
- Enhanced Transport facility for access to school.
- Allocation for uniforms under RTE Act enhanced from Rs. 400 to Rs. 600 per child per annum.
- Allocation for textbooks under the RTE Act, enhanced from Rs. 150 to Rs. 250 per child per annum for Primary School and from Rs.250 to Rs. 400 per child per annum at upper primary level.
- Allocation for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) increased from Rs. 3000 per child per annum to Rs. 3500 per child per annum. Stipend of Rs. 200 per month for Girls with Special Needs from Classes 1 to 12.
- Incinerator & Sanitary Pad Vending Machines.