Question : POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP

(a) the details of Post Matric Scholarships given to the students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) respectively, Course-wise;

(b) the Central assistance released in this regard during each of the last three years and the current year along with the number of students who availed the said scholarship, category and State-wise;

(c) whether the said scholarship is being provided to all of the students belonging to the said categories or only to a selected few; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

(a) Under the centrally sponsored Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste student (PMS-SC). Central assistance is provided to State Governments /Union Territory Administrations to provide financial assistance to eligible SC students studying at Post matriculation or Post –secondary stage to enable them to complete their education. The Scheme is available for studies in India only. The courses under the scheme are divided into 4 groups. Parents /guardians annual income of students from all sources should not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum.

Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for students belonging to Other Backward Classes (PMS-OBCs), Central assistance is provided to states Governments / Union Territory Administrations to provide financial assistance to the BC students studying at Post matriculation or Post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education. The Scheme is available for studies in India only. The courses under the scheme are divided into 4 groups Parents /guardians annual income of students from all sources should not exceed Rs. 1.00 lakh per annum.

(b): The details of Central Assistance released to States/UTs under Post Matric Scholarship to students belonging to Scheduled Castes Students and Other Backward Castes (OBCs) are given at Annexure I and II respectively.

(c) & (d): Under PMS–SC all eligible SC students are entitled for Scholarships. However, under PMS–OBC, due to budgetary constraint, it is not possible for the Central Government to provide Central assistance to States/UTs for giving Scholarships to all eligible students. Therefore, since 2008-09, Notional Allocation is conveyed to States/UTs in the beginning of the financial year in proportion to their total population. States/UTs are expected to send their proposal for Central assistance within the Notional Allocation. Central assistance is released to States/UTs primarily as per their notional allocation and they are expected to meet any additional requirement out of their own resources. In case, some savings become available to the Ministry towards the end of the financial year, additional Central assistance is released to States/UTs who project a higher demand than their notional allocation.