Lok Sabha Question No. 499 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: SHRESHTA Scheme
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Umesh G. Jadhav, Locket Chatterjee, Kirit Premjibhai Solanki, Sanjeev Kumar Singari, Ratansinh Magansinh Rathod, Lallu Singh, Maddila  Gurumoorthy

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.499 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2024

## SHRESHTA SCHEME

499. DR UMESH G. JADHAV:

MS. LOCKET CHATTERJEE:

DR. (PROF.) KIRIT PREMJIBHAI SOLANKI:

DR SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI:

SHRI RATANSINH MAGANSINH RATHOD:

SHRI LALLU SINGH:

SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

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

- (a) the objective of the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA);
- (b) the extent to which this scheme aims to enhance educational and socio-economic conditions for the targeted group, specifically Scheduled Castes (SCs);
- whether there has been any change in the budget allocation for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether such scheme intend to enhance the reach of development interventions for SC communities and address service deficiencies and if So, the details thereof;
- (e) the role of grant-in-aid institutions run by NGOs and residential high schools in providing highquality education and improving their socio-economic condition; and
- (f) the anticipated benefits of the scheme in terms of securing future opportunities for students from SC communities?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI A: NARAYANASWAMY)

(a) & (b): The objective of SHRESHTA is to enhance the reach of development Intervention of the Government and to fill the gap in service deficient SCs dominant areas, in the sector of education through the efforts of grant-in-aid institutions (run by NGOs) and residential high schools offering high quality education. The scheme aims to provide environment for socio- economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) by providing financial assistance to best vate residential schools affiliated by CBSE/ State Board in class 9th & 1Ith for completion of education till 12th standard. Further; financial assistance is also provided to Non-Govemmental Organisations (NGOsY Voluntary Organisations (VOs) for residential non-residential schools and hostels adequate infrastructure and maintain academic quality for SC students running having good

- (c) Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) is part of the National Action Plan for Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) scheme and as per EFC, following budget allocation has been made for NAPDDR scheme from 2021-22 to 2025-26: Drug
- Yes: There is provision of Bridge course in the scheme to ensure that the SC students s0 admitted can catch up with the rest of the class

2021-22

Rs.250 Cr

2022-23

Rs.291 Cr

2023-24

Rs.311 Cr

2024-25

Rs.314 Cr

2025-26

Rs.333 Cr

Bridge  courses targets on enhancing the capability of the student to adopt to the environment of the school. easily

- (e) The scheme is implemented in two modes. In mode-I, each year a specified number of meritorious SC students around 3000 in States/UTs are selected through the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and Under mode-2, financial assistance is provided to the NGOs for running the schools/hostel projects related to Education sector to Scheduled Caste students. 13500 slots every year have been marked for SC students. being year
- Under the mode assistance is provided for them till completion of education upto 12th standard. Thereafter; students may take benefits under Post Matric Scholarship or Class Education Scheme to continue their further studies for securing their future opportunities Top

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