Question : Education for Minorities

(a): whether it is a fact that education for minorities has been relegated during the past;
(b): if so, the reasons therefor; and
(c): if not, the details of new steps taken and the ongoing schemes strengthened to promote
education of minorities?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a): No, Sir.
(b): Not Applicable
(c): The details of new steps taken to promote education of minorities are :-
(i) Schemes of Pre-Matric Scholarships, Post-Matric Scholarships, Merit-cum-
Means based Scholarships, Maulana Azad National Fellowships, Naya Savera –
Free Coaching & Allied scheme and Maulana Azad Education Foundation that
are meant for educational empowerment of notified minority communities. To
facilitate the same periodic reviews are undertaken with State Governments / UT
Administrations and banks. The Naya Savera – Free Coaching and Allied Scheme is
implemented through Government / Private Coaching Institutions empanelled by
Ministry of Minority Affairs (MOMA). The Government has also taken action for
involving independent monitors in this regard. Besides, Maulana Azad National
Fellowship (MANF) implemented by University Grants Commission (UGC) under
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode is also meant to promote education of
minorities.
(ii) Scheme of Support for minority students clearing prelims conducted by Union
Public Service Commission (UPSC) / Staff Selection Commission (SSC) / State
Public Service Commissions (PSCs), etc. is implemented by the Ministry of
Minority Affairs by calling applications from the candidates selected in the
preliminary examinations conducted by them. The candidates are verified with the
help of their admit card of preliminary examination results, etc., and the funds are
transferred directly to their bank accounts.
(iii)The guidelines of USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional
Arts / Crafts for Development) provide for conduct of concurrent monitoring and
random checking of physical and financial reports on the Management Information
System (MIS) through independent agency.
(iv)The guidelines of Seekho aur Kamao (skill development initiative for minorities)
provide for conduct of concurrent monitoring and random checking of physical and
financial reports on the Management Information System (MIS) through an
independent agency.
(v) Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP): Under Prime Minister’s New
15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities (PM’s New 15-PP), an Oversight
Committees at the District and State levels monitors the progress of implementation
of MsDP. At the Central level, there is a three tier monitoring mechanism to review
the progress of implementation of MsDP. The Empowered Committee (EC) in
MOMA, under the chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, serves
as the oversight committee to monitor the progress of implementation of MsDP.
(vi)Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir have been launched by MHRD, to
encourage the youth from J&K to take advantage of the educational institutions
outside the State and provide them an opportunity to interact with their counterparts
from the rest of the country and be a part of the mainstream. 5000 (2070 General
Courses, 100 Medical Courses, 2830 Professional Courses) scholarship are provided
annually.
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