Lok Sabha Question No. 4713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-31
Subject: Scholarship for Minorities in Maharashtra
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4713

ANSWERED ON 31.03.2022

## SCHOLARSHIP FOR MINORITIES IN MAHARASHTRA

- (a) the total number of students benefitted under the centrally sponsored scheme of PreMatric Scholarship for the children belonging to minority communities in Maharashtra;
- (b)the  total  amount  of  financial  assistance  made  available  to  the  Government  of Maharashtra by the Union Government for the said scheme during the last two years; (e) the steps taken by the Union Government to ensure that the benefit of the aforesaid scheme reaches to all  the  children  belonging  to  minority  communities  in  Maharashtra

†4713. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE: Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (c) the total amount of funds spent so far out of the above; (d) the reasons for unspent funds therefor; and

- and the funds are fully utilised?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a): The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for the educational empowerment of students belonging to the economically weaker section of the  six  notified  minority  communities  i.e.  Buddhist,  Christian,  Jain,  Muslim,  Sikh, Zoroastrian (Parsi) in all the States/UTs of the country including the State of Maharashtra. It is implemented as a Central Sector Scheme of the Union Government since 2014-15 and 100% scholarships are disbursed from Central funds directly to the beneficiary account under the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) mode. So far, under PreMatric  Scholarship  Scheme,  83,33,875  scholarships  have  been  disbursed  to  children belonging to minority communities in Maharashtra.

- (b)  to  (d)  During  the  last  3 years  (i.e.  2019-20  to  2021-22)  Pre-Matric  Scholarships amounting to Rs.256.00 crore was sanctioned. As the Scheme is implemented under the DBT  mode  and  the  scholarships  are  disbursed  directly  to  the  bank  accounts  of beneficiaries, no State-wise fund is allocated.

(e) The scholarship schemes are being implemented through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and are being disbursed under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode  to  improve  the  efficiency  and  bring  transparency  by  removing  duplicity  and stopping pilferages.

To ensure maximum participation of students the scheme is given wide publicity through print media at national as well as the State levels.  SMSs are sent to students eligible for renewal scholarship immediately on opening of the portal followed by regular reminders. Schemes are publicized in the social media as well. The village Sarpanch/ Pradhans are intimated about the Schemes through SMS and the District Magistrates/ Collectors are also directed to give wide publicity to the Scheme in their respective Districts and ensure that  all  eligible  students  belonging  to the economically weaker sections  of the notified minority communities studying in the various Schools/Institutions in their Districts apply for  Scholarship.  They  are  also  directed  to  include  the  subject  in  the  agenda  for  the meeting of District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee and to create awareness among public representatives.

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