(a) whether it is a fact that the Union Budget 2022-23 has showed a massive cut from the scholarship/ incentive schemes for girls from Scheduled Tribes and rural areas and if so, the reasons therefor; and
(b) the detail of allocation of funds during the last three years and the Revised Budget and actual expenditure during the said period?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SMT. ANNPURNA DEVI)
(a): The Central Sector Scheme ‘National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme(NMMSS)’ was launched in May, 2008 with the objective to award scholarships to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to arrest their drop out at class VIII and encourage them to continue their studies at secondary stage. It is an on-going scheme. Under NMMSS, RE 2021-22 is Rs. 284.20 Crore and BE is Rs. 350 Crore.Therefore, the budget for scholarship/ incentive schemes has not reduced.
Various benefits for girls including from Scheduled Tribe and rural areas are being extended under the flagship scheme of Samgra Shiksha.These include among others:
• Up-gradation of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) from Class 6-8 to Class 6-12, which mainly cater to SC, ST and BPL girl students.
• Self-defence training for girls from upper primary to senior secondary stage.
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• Enhanced commitment to ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’.
• Enhanced Transport facility for access to school.
• Allocation for uniforms under RTE Act enhanced from Rs. 400 to Rs. 600 per child per annum.
• Allocation for textbooks under the RTE Act, enhanced from Rs. 150/250 per child per annum to Rs.250/400 per child per annum.
• Allocation for Children with Special Needs (CwSN) increased from Rs. 3000 per child per annum to Rs. 3500 per child per annum. Stipend of Rs. 200 per month for Girls with Special Needs from Classes 1 to 12.
(b): The details of allocation of funds under NMMSS during the last three years and the Revised Budget and actual expenditure during the said period is as follows:
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarships Scheme (NMMSS)
S. No. Financial Year BE (Rs. in crore) RE (Rs. in crore) Actual expenditure (Rs. in crore)
1 2018-19 299.74 362.98 319.17
2 2019-20 368.20 335.20 331.26
3 2020-21 373.00 350.00 321.11
4 2021-22 (as on 08.03.2022) 350.00 284.20 168.53