Question : Scholarship Schemes for OBC Students

(a) whether the Government has received proposals from the States for Central assistance under scholarship schemes for Other Backward Classes (OBCs);

(b) if so, the details and present status thereof along with the time by which the said proposals are likely to be finalised, State-wise;

(c) the amount given as pre-matric and post-matric scholarship per student for OBCs;

(d) whether the said amount is inadequate and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has any proposal to enhance the present rate of the said scholarships keeping in view the current consumer price index, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.



Statement in answer to part (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No.234 for answer on 10.05.2016 by Shri Sukhbir Singh Jaunpuria and Shri A.T. Nana Patil regarding Scholarship Schemes for OBC Students

(a) & (b): Proposals are received from the States every year. No proposal has been received from any State/UT so far for 2016-17. The State-wise details of proposals received, Notional Allocation made and amount released to them during the last three years and current year under the Scholarship Schemes for OBCs are at Annexure-I & II.

The proposals are received from the States/UTs at the beginning of each financial year for which Notional Allocation (NA) is made for the States/UTs having OBC population, in proportion to their total population. This Notional Allocation is communicated to the States/UTs. In order that the scholarships are disbursed to the needy students in time, ad hoc amount (75% of their NA) is released to the States/UTs, who are regular in sending complete proposals and receiving Central Assistance for the last three consecutive years, irrespective of receiving any proposal from them.

The States/UTs issue their own State-specific guidelines laying down criteria for selection for award of scholarship under both types of courses, professional and non-professional, to the extent of available funds, based on merit-cum-means. States/UTs have to incur additional expenditure for those students who are not covered by the Government of India funds due to limited funds.

(c) The rates of Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship for OBCs are given as under:-

(i) Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students

Ad-hoc Grant of Rs.500/- per student per annum to all students.

Hostellers:

Class III to VIII Rs.200/- per month for 10 months
Class IX to X Rs.250/- per month for 10 months

Day Scholars:

Class I to V Rs.25/- per month for 10 months
Class VI to VIII Rs.40/- per month for 10 months
Class IX to X Rs.50/- per month for 10 months

(ii) Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students

S. No. Component Rates (in Rupees)
Course Day Scholars Hostellers
(a) Maintenance Allowance (per month) Group A 350/- 750/-
Group B 335/- 510/-
Group C 210/- 400/-
Group D 160/- 260/-
(b) Other Allowances:
(i) Study Tour Charges 900/- per annum (subject to actual expenditure)
(ii) Thesis Typing & Printing charges 1000/- (Maximum)
(iii) Book Allowance for correspondence course 900/- per annum
(iv) Reader charges for blind students (per month) Group A & B 175/-
Group C 130/-
Group D 90/-

(d) & (e): The scholarship rates under the Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students have been increased w.e.f. 01.07.2011. The Central budgetary allocations are not adequate to meet the entire demands of the States/UT. There is no proposal under consideration for enhancing the rates of scholarship due to budgetary limitations.