Lok Sabha Question No. 2335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-09
Subject: Facilities to ST Students for Studying Abroad
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: VIKRAM USENDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## 2335

## LOK SABHA QUESTION NO. †

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.05.2016

## FACILITIES TO ST STUDENTS FOR STUDYING ABROAD

## † 2335. SHRI VIKRAM USENDI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the facilities being provided to the students belonging to the Scheduled Tribe category in addition to scholarship and hostel facilities to study abroad; and
- (b) the number of students to whom the said facilities were provided during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise including Chhattisgarh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA)

- (a) Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the 'National Overseas Scheme' for ST Students under which the following facilities are provided:
- I. Annual Maintenance Allowance A annual maintenance allowance in US will be US  Dollars  15,400  ($  Fifteen  thousand  four  hundred  only) for  all  level  of courses  covered  under  the  Scheme.  The  annual  maintenance  allowance  for candidates in United Kingdom will be Pound sterling 9,900 (£ Nine thousand nine hundred only)for all levels of courses covered under the scheme.
- II. Annual C ontingency Allowance -A annual Contingency allowance for books/essential apparatus/study tour/typing and binding of thesis etc. will be US Dollars  1512  ($  One  thousand  five  hundred  twelve  only) for  the  candidates  in US    and  for  candidates  in  United  Kingdom,  it  will  be Pounds  sterling  1100  (£ One thousand one hundred only)
- III. Poll Tax Actual shall be paid, wherever applicable.
- IV. Visa Fees Actual visa fees in Indian Rupees will be paid.
- V. Equipment Allowance Equipment Allowance will be allowed @ Rs.1320/- per annum
- VI. Incidental  Journey  Expenses  Incidental  journey  expenses  up  to  US  Dollars 18.70   or its equivalent in Indian Rupees are permissible.
- VII. Fees Tuition fees as per actual will be admissible.
- VIII. Medical Insurance Premium Actual as charged will be admissible.
- IX. Cost of Air Passage Air passage grant on actual basis from India to the nearest place  to  the  educational  institution  and  back  to  India,  by  economy  class  and shortest route in arrangements with the national carrier, shall be provided.
- X. Local Travel -Second or Coach class railway fare from the port of disembarkation to the place of study and back and in case of far flung places not connected by rail, bus fare(s) from the place of residence to the nearest railway station,  actual  charge  of  crossing  by  ferry,  air  fare  to  the  nearest  rail-cum-air Station and/or II class railway fare by the shortest route to the port of embarkation and back will be permissible.
- XI. All  the  awardees  already  undergoing  studies  abroad  would  also  be  eligible  to receive the  revised  rates  as  approved  in  the  scheme  and  its  modified  form with prospective effect.
- XII. DOMESTIC TRAVEL FOR INTERVIEW For  attending  interviews  by  the candidates  at  the  place  decided  by  the  Government  of  India,  the  second  class fare/ordinary class bus fare from the city of their place of residence to the city in which the interviews for selection have been decided by the Government of India shall be permissible.
- XIII. TRAINING FOR  SELECTED  CANDIDATES -The finally selected candidates will be supported for getting Coaching for TOEFL/GRE/GMAT.
- XIV. EARNINGS  FROM  RESEARCH/TEACHING  ASSISTANCESHIP  The awardees are permitted to supplement their prescribed allowances by undertaking Research/Teaching  Assistantship  up  to  US  Dollars  2400/-  per  annum  and  for awardees in United Kingdom, Pounds sterling 1560/- per annum. Where income earned is beyond these prescribed ceilings, the maintenance allowance under the scheme shall be correspondingly reduced by the Indian Missions abroad.
- XV. PASSAGE GRANTS For  selected  candidates,  air  passage  to  the  destination abroad and back to India, will be provided by economy class and shortest route through  arrangement  with  the  national  carrier.  The  prospective  candidates  may contact  this  Ministry  for  obtaining  the  application  form  for  applying  for  the passage grant.
- (b)  The  scheme  of  National  Overseas  Scholarship  for  ST  Students  is  implemented  by  the Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  through  the  Ministry  of  External  Affairs.  There  is  no  state  wise allocation of funds under this Scheme. However, year-wise details of funds sanctioned and the number of candidates selected under the scheme the years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 are as under:

| Grants-in-aid released under the Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for ST Candidates from 2013-14 to 2015-16   | Grants-in-aid released under the Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for ST Candidates from 2013-14 to 2015-16   | Grants-in-aid released under the Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for ST Candidates from 2013-14 to 2015-16   | Grants-in-aid released under the Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship for ST Candidates from 2013-14 to 2015-16   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                      |                                                                                                                      | Rs. in lakh                                                                                                          |
| Sl. No.                                                                                                              | Year                                                                                                                 | Amount Released                                                                                                      | No. of Selected candidates                                                                                           |
| 1                                                                                                                    | 2013-14                                                                                                              | 68.00                                                                                                                | 9                                                                                                                    |
| 2                                                                                                                    | 2014-15                                                                                                              | 99.13                                                                                                                | Selection under process                                                                                              |
| 3                                                                                                                    | 2015-16                                                                                                              | 39.03                                                                                                                | Selection under process                                                                                              |

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