Lok Sabha Question No. 2637 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-15
Subject: Upliftment of OBCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## LOK SABHA

## 2637. UPLIFTMENT OF OBCS

## SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY:

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

- (a) the total number of unemployed graduates belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the country as on date along with the measures taken to provide them employment; and
- (b) the details of schemes formulated and implemented for the welfare and upliftment of OBCs by the Government and the number of OBC families benefited from those schemes?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

- (a)  As  per  NSSO  68 th   Report  (2011-12),  among  the  total  number  of  OBC  unemployed persons of age 15 years and above, around 4.73% OBCs were unemployed graduate in the country.

To  provide  employment  to  the  OBCs,  General  Loan  Schemes  and  Micro  Finance Schemes are being implemented through National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation.

The  following  welfare schemes  are  implemented  by  Ministry  of  Social Justice  and Empowerment for welfare and upliftment of OBCs  in the country:-

- (i) Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students
- (ii) Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students
- (iii) Construction of Hostels for OBC Boys and Girls
- (iv) Assistance to Voluntary Organizations working for welfare of OBCs
- (v) National Fellowship for OBCs
- (vi) Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies for OBCs

The details of the schemes are annexed.

******

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2637 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2015

Annexure as referred to in part (b) of the Answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2637 for 15.10.2015 asked by Shri Satish Chandra Dubey regarding 'Upliftment of OBCs'

## 1. Post-Matric Scholarship to the OBC Students

The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to the OBC students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education. The income ceiling  of  parents/guardians  for  eligibility  is  Rs.1.00  lakh  per  annum  (including  self  income,  if employed).

The  number  of  students  benefited under the  Scheme  during  2014-15  is  40.46  lakh (provisional).

## 2. Pre-Matric Scholarship to the OBC Students

The  aim  of  this  Scheme  is  to  motivate  children  of  OBCs  studying  at  pre-matric  stage.   The income ceiling for eligibility is Rs. 44,500/- per annum.

The  number  of  students  benefited under the  Scheme  during  2014-15  is  63.34  lakh (provisional).

## 3. Construction of Hostels for OBC Boys and Girls

The  Scheme  aims  at  providing  hostel  facilities  to  students  belonging  to  socially  and educationally backward classes and the cost norms are:

- a. North Eastern Region -

Rs.3.50 lakh per seat

- b. Himalayan Regions -

Rs.3.25 lakh per seat

- c. Rest of country

-

Rs.3.00 lakh per seat

or as per the schedule of the rates for the concerned State Government, whichever is lower.

Hostels have been sanctioned for 2950 seats under the Scheme during 2014-15.

## 4. National Fellowship (NF) for OBC Students

The scheme aims at providing financial assistance to the OBC students in obtaining quality higher education leading to degrees such as M.Phil and Ph.D in universities, research institutions and scientific institutions.

300 Junior Research Fellowships have been awarded by the University Grants Commission under the Scheme during 2014-15.

## 5. Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for the Students belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs)

The objective of the scheme is to award interest subsidy to meritorious OBC students so as to provide  them  better  opportunities  for  higher  education  abroad  and  enhance  their  employability.  63 OBC students have so far been benefited under the scheme.

## 6. Assistance to Voluntary Organizations working for the Welfare of OBCs (NGO Scheme)

The purpose of this scheme is to involve the Voluntary Organization working for welfare of OBCs by providing skill up-gradation in various trades.

The number of beneficiaries under the Scheme during 2014-15 is 9480.

## 7. Loan by National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC)

NBCFDC  provides  loans  under  its  General  Loans  Schemes  and  Micro  Finance  Schemes. Total number of beneficiaries benefited in 2014-15 under these schemes is 1,29,633.