(a) whether the Government proposes to increase the number of
scholarship schemes for the students of minority communities;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes also to make the scholarship schemes demand based; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the
Government to streamline the procedure relating to providing scholarships?
MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(VINCENT H. PALA)
(a) No such proposal is under consideration.
(b) Does not arise in view of (a) above.
(c) 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 minority students.
(d) 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.
OSMS has also been extended to Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme
from 2012-13. In addition, State Governments/UT Administrations
have been directed to simplify the procedure involved in applying
for scholarships.