(a) whether the Government is contemplating to set up professional colleges in all the backward districts of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise, location-wise; and
(c) the other measures being adopted to provide higher and professional education to the youth of backward districts?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) to (c): The Government is not contemplating to set-up
professional colleges in all the backward districts of the
country. However, the Government has approved the introduction of
a new scheme to provide central assistance for setting up of a
model degree college in each of the identified 374 educational
backward districts where Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for higher
education is less than the national GER. During the remaining
period of the 11th Five Year Plan, provision exists for
establishing 200 model colleges in identified districts, with
priority being given to special category states and districts
having concentration of weaker sections and minorities as well as
other districts in Schedule V and Schedule VI areas.
A new scheme has been approved to provide one time
financial assistance to the State Governments for establishment
of new polytechnics in unserved and underserved districts with
the financial assistance of the Central Govt. to the tune of
Rs.12.30 crores per polytechnic in 300 districts.