(a) whether the Government have introduced any scholarship at National level to impart higher and technical education to handicapped;
(b) if so, the State-wise details of scholarship given during the last three financial years; and
(c) the total amount released during the last three years under this scholarship?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI D. NAPOLEON)
(a) Yes, Sir. The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) is presently implementing the following two Schemes of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for award of scholarship to students with disabilities including those pursuing for Higher and Technical education:-
(i) Scholarship Scheme for students with disabilities from a fund of the Ministry called the National
Fund for People with Disabilities. Under the scheme a total of 500 scholarships are awarded every year.
(ii) Scholarship Scheme for students with disabilities funded out of Trust Fund for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Under the scheme a total of 1000 scholarship are awarded every year, beginning from the academic year 2011-12.
(b) Statements indicating State-wise details of scholarship given under the Scholarship Scheme (National Fund) during the last three financial years and under the Scholarship Scheme (Trust Fund) for the year 2011-12 are at Annexures ‘A’ & ‘B’ respectively
(c) Total amount released during the last three years under the Scholarship Schemes is as follows:
(i) Scholarship Scheme (National Fund) : Rs.1.79 crore
(ii) Scholarship Scheme (Trust Fund) : Rs.5.04 crore