Lok Sabha Question No. 3797 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-12
Subject: Promotion of Higher Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: JUGAL KISHORE SHARMA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

**LOK SABHA**

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO **. 3797**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH AUGUST, 2015

**Promotion of Higher Education**

†3797. SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE  DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme for promoting higher education in far flung and hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the programmes/ schemes being undertaken by the Government to promote higher education in border, rural and hilly areas of the country; and

(d) the funds released during the last two years for the purpose?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)**

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government has launched the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) for reforming the State higher educational system through strategic funding of State public funded higher educational institutions in order to address the issues of access, equity and quality **.** Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is participating in RUSA and is funded in the centre:state ratio of 90:10 as the State falls under special category status. During the 12 th Plan period, an amount of Rs. 265.01 crores has been approved for creation of 2 universities by clustering of colleges, establishment of 2 new professional colleges, upgradation of 3 existing colleges to model degree colleges, Infrastructure grants to 2 universities and 22 colleges and for vocationalisation of higher education.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that it has framed guidelines for creation of supernumerary quota in universities/colleges/institutes for the students of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).  The UGC has also informed that there is a special scholarship scheme for students of J&K studying in various Universities / Colleges / Institutes.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has informed that it is implementing the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship scheme for the students belonging to the state of J&K for general degree courses, engineering / architecture courses and medical / dental / nursing courses.

Under the erstwhile scheme of setting up of one Model Degree College (MDC) in 374 identified Educationally Backward Districts (EBDs), which has since been subsumed under RUSA, an amount of Rs. 64.00 crores for 8 MDCs has been approved.

(c):	The Government has also launched a special scholarship scheme for North Eastern Region called “Ishan Uday” from academic session 2014-15 in order for students to access higher education outside the region. The UGC has informed that it has issued a letter to all the universities to promote educational opportunities and welfare of students from North Eastern region. It has also issued a circular providing for reservation of seats in engineering/technology/architecture/pharmacy courses conducted at degree level technical institutions approved by AICTE for students of North Eastern region.

(d):  Under RUSA, the funds released to the special category States of J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and North Eastern region States, in 2014-15 was Rs.75.64 crore and in 2015-16 is Rs. 6.65 crore till date.

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