Question : SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES FOR SCS AND OBCS STUDENTS

(a)Whether the scholarship provided to students of scheduled castes and OBCs is inadequate;

(b) If so, the reasons therefor and the corrective measures taken in this regard;

(c) The financial assistance allocated and released under pre and post matric scholarship to the students of scheduled castes and OBCs during 2004-05, State/Union Territory – wise;

(d) The number of students of SCs and OBCs benefited during the said period; and

(e) The details of schemes implemented for the meritorious students of SCs and OBCs and financial assistance allocated/ released thereunder during the said period, State/Union Territory- wise?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT (SMT. SUBBULAKSHMI JAGADEESAN)

(a) & (b) No, Sir. Does not arise.

(c ) & (d) Funds are released on the anticipated requirements of the State Governments/UT Administrations. The State/UT wise financial assistance released and number of students anticipated to be covered during 2004-05 under the scholarship schemes for SCs and OBCs is placed at annexure.

(e)Under ‘Dr Ambedkar National Scholarship Scheme’ implemented by Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, scholarship is, inter alia, given to first three Scheduled Caste students scoring highest marks in the regular Class X level examinations conducted by the Education Board/Council of each State/UT. The amount of scholarship is Rs.60,000, Rs.50,000 and Rs.40,000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd position holder respectively. In case, there is no girl student in the first three position, then one Scheduled Caste girl student scoring highest marks is given a scholarship of Rs.40,000. In addition, there are 167 special merit scholarships of Rs.10,000 per annum each to be given to Scheduled Caste meritorious students securing next higher marks after third position. These special scholarships are distributed to various States in proportion to the Scheduled Caste population in the State.

The Government is also awarding 20 scholarships (17 for Scheduled Castes) for pursuing higher studies abroad in the specified field of Engineering, Technology and Science. The scheme is administered directly by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on all India basis. An allocation of Rs 1 crore has been made under the scheme for the financial year 2004-05 against which an expenditure of Rs.65.27 lakh has been made so far.