(a) whether the Government is providing scholarships to the
students belonging to BPL families in various States;
(b) If so, the details thereof alongwith the number of students
benefited from this scholarship during last three years, State-
wise;
(c) whether the various States have requested for more funds
for running such scheme; and
(d) If so, the details thereof alongwith the Government’s
reaction to those requests?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(Dr. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) to (b) The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) does
not have any scheme exclusively for students belonging to BPL
families. However, MHRD is implementing two Scholarship Schemes
viz. Centrally Sponsored National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship
Scheme (NMMSS) and Central Sector Scholarship Scheme for College
and University students. NMMSS is for providing scholarships @
Rs.500 per month to students from class IX every year which is
continued upto class XII subject to fulfillment of certain
conditions. Students studying as regular students in Government,
Government-aided and local body schools and whose parental
income from all sources is upto Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum are
eligible to appear in the selection test under the scheme. The
Central Sector Scholarship Scheme for College and University
Students is for meritorious students whose parental income does not
exceed Rs. 4.50 lakh per annum. The rate of Scholarship is
Rs.10,000 per annum for the first three years of graduate level
studies and Rs.20,000 per annum for post graduate level studies and
4th and 5th year of professional courses. A Statement showing
number of students benefited from these scholarship schemes during
the last three years, State-wise is given at Annexure-I
(c) to (d) Funds are not allotted to the States. The scholarship
is remitted directly into the bank accounts of the selected
students.