Question : Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 20
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2021

POST-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

20. SHRI MANNE SRINIVAS REDDY:
SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL:
SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government has revised the Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Castes (SCs) by clearing 60:40 funding pattern with the States;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the total annual assistance to be provided to students under the new pattern of scholarship;

(d) whether the Government aims to increase enrolment of poor SCs by awarding scholarship with the help of the States;

(e) if so, whether funds is to be transferred directly the student’s bank account rather than the earlier system of distribution; and

(f) if so, the extent to which the new system is likely to minimize fraud in such scheme?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)


(a) & (b): Yes Sir, the Government has revised the funding pattern of the Post Matric Scholarship scheme for SC students and has adopted a ratio of 60:40 sharing between the Centre and States/UTs (90% in case of North Eastern States) of the average demand for the scheme for three years period 2017-18 to 2019-20, with a 5 %annual increase each year.

(c): The total annual assistance to be provided to students under the scheme would be the entire non-refundable tuition fees of the course, and academic allowance as per the rates fixed for the course group.

(d): Yes sir, the revised scheme is aimed at creating an impact on the poorest SC households to be identified by the States/UTs.

(e) & (f): Starting from 2021-22, the Central share in the scheme would be released on DBT mode directly into the bank accounts of the students, which will minimise frauds. The scheme is based on the principles of timely delivery, comprehensive accountability, continuous monitoring and total transparency and shall be run through an online platform with robust cyber security measures eliminating any chance of misappropriation of the funds. Further, awareness drives shall also be undertaken by the State Governments/UT Administrations about the scheme through the Gram Panchayats’ notice boards, school committees, discussions in the parent- teacher association meetings and other public awareness measures which will also prevent misuse

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