Lok Sabha Question No. 2622 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-15
Subject: Upliftment of Extremely Poor Section
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2622. TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2015

## †2622.  UPLIFTMENT OF EXTREMELY POOR SECTION

## SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  implement  any  scheme  for  the  upliftment  of extremely poor people of the country by giving them special status; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

- (a) The extremely poor people having annual income less than Rs.1.00 lakh and who do not belong  to  any  social  category  such  as  SC/ST/OBC,  have  been  categorized  as  Economically Backward Classes (EBCs).  The following schemes are being implemented by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for welfare of the EBCs:-
- (i) Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship for EBC Students
- (ii) Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies for EBCs.
- (b) The details of the Schemes are annexed

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Annexure as referred to in part (b) of the Answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2622  for  15.10.2015  asked  by  Shri  Alok  Sanjar  regarding  'Upliftment  of  Extremely Poor Section'

## 1. Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship for EBC Students

This  is  a  100  %  centrally  sponsored  scheme  being  implemented  through  the  State Government  and  Union  Territories.  The  objective  of  the  scheme  is  to  provide  financial assistance to the EBC students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage. The income ceiling of parents/guardians for eligibility is Rs.1.00 lakh per annum (including self income, if employed).

The rates under different Post-Matric Courses range between Rs. 750 per month and Rs.  260  per  month  for  hostellers.  For  the  day  scholars  the  range  is  Rs.  350  to  Rs.  160. Scholarship  also  include  study  tour  charges  @  Rs.  900  per  annum  (subject  to  actual expenditure), Thesis typing and printing charges @ Rs. 1000 (maximum), Book allowance for correspondence course @ Rs. 900 per annum and Reader charges for blind students in the range between Rs. 90 p.m. to Rs. 175 p.m.

The scholarship for Commercial Pilot License (CPL) course is also covered under this scheme. Upto 20 awards per year for the whole country are provided on the first come firstserve basis. The selected candidates are provided an amount of Rs.5000/- per flying hour in single/multiengine  aircraft  for  200  hours.  In  addition,  maintenance  allowances  @  Rs.  750 p.m. for hostlers and Rs. 350 p.m. for day scholars is also paid.

## 2. Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for the Students belonging to the Economically Backward Classes (EBCs).

The objective of the scheme is to award interest subsidy to meritorious EBC students so  as  to  provide  them  better  opportunities  for  higher  education  abroad  and  enhance  their employability.

To be eligible under the scheme, a student should come under the income ceiling of Rs. 1.00 lakh per annum. 50 % of the outlay every year is earmarked for Girl students.

The  students  should  have  secured  admission  in  the  approved  courses  at  Masters, M.Phil or Ph.D levels abroad. He/She should have availed loan from a scheduled bank under the Education Loan Scheme of the Indian Banks Association (IBA) for the purpose.

Under the scheme, interest payable by the students availing the education loans of the IBA for the period of moratorium (i.e. course period, plus one year or six months after getting job, whichever is earlier) as prescribed under the Education Loan Scheme of the IBA, shall be borne by the Government of India. After the period of moratorium is over, the interest on the  outstanding  loan  amount  shall  be  paid  by  the  student,  in  accordance  with  the  existing Educational Loan Scheme as may be amended from time to time. The candidate will bear the Principal instalments and interest beyond moratorium period.

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