Question : SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES FOR MINORITIES

(a) the details of the scholarship schemes extended for the students of the minority communities by the Ministry at present;

(b) whether the Government proposes to increase the number of scholarship schemes for the students of the minority communities;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government also proposes to make the scholarship schemes demand based; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to simplify the procedure for awarding the scholarships?

MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI SALMAN KHURSHID)

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

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 317 for answer on 15th December, 2011.

(a): The Ministry of Minority Affairs currently implements the following four scholarship schemes exclusively for minority communities:-

(i) Pre-matric Scholarship Scheme,

(ii) Post-matric Scholarship Scheme,

(iii) Merit-cum-Means Based Scholarship Scheme (MCM),

(iv) Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF).

The first three schemes are centrally sponsored schemes and are being implemented through State Governments / Union Territory Administrations and the MANF is implemented through University Grants Commission (UGC). Except for Pre-matric scholarship scheme, where funding is being shared between the Centre and States in the ratio of 75:25, in other three schemes, 100% financial assistance is provided by the Central Government.

The application under the above schemes is invited through open advertisement. The payment to selected students is made through bank accounts. Further, release of funds to States/UTs and UGC in subsequent year is subject to submission of Utilization Certificate by them in respect of funds released in the previous year.

As per conditions prescribed in these schemes, scholarships can only be awarded on fulfillment of the following conditions:

(i) Annual Parental Income Limit ( Rs. 1 lakh for Pre-matric, Rs. 2 lakh for Post-matric, Rs. 2.5 lakh for MCM and Rs.2.5 lakh for MANF).

(ii) Merit (Percentage of marks secured 50% or more)

(iii) Should belong to one of the five centrally notified minority communities.

(b): No, Madam.

(c): Does not arise in view of (b) above.

(d): The Working Group on the 12th Five Year Plan constituted by the Planning Commission recommended to make the Scholarship Schemes demand driven in order to cover all eligible students.

(e): Online Scholarship Management System (OSMS) for Merit-cum- means based Scholarship Scheme has been introduced from the year 2011-12 to facilitate students to apply online from anywhere in the country. In addition, State Governments/UT Administrations have been instructed to simplify the procedure for applying the scholarships in respect of Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarships.