(a) whether the Government has any scholarship scheme exclusively for students from minority communities in the country particularly in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details regarding Pre-matric, Post-matric and Merit-cum-Means components of such scholarship schemes in Uttar Pradesh; and
(c) the details regarding budget earmarked for this purpose during the last three years?
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)
(a): The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means Scholarship and Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship schemes for the educational empowerment of students belonging to the economically weaker section of the six notified minority communities i.e. Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Zoroastrian (Parsi) in all the States including the State of Uttar Pradesh.
(b): So far, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, 1,06,57,606 scholarships have been disbursed to children belonging to minority communities.The scheme-wise details including components of scholarships under the above mentioned schemes are as under:-
(i) Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme- The scholarship is provided to minority students studying in class I to X in Government/ recognized Private schools. Minimum 30% scholarships are earmarked for girls. To be eligible, students should not have annual parental/guardian’s income more than Rs.1.00 lakh and he/she should have secured minimum 50% marks in previous class. Scholarship ranging from Rs. 1,000/- to Rs. 10,700/- is awarded to every selected student.
(ii) Post Matric Scholarship Scheme- The scholarship is provided to minority students studying in Class XI to Ph.D level in Government/ recognized Private schools/Colleges/Institutes. Minimum 30% scholarships are earmarked for girls. To be eligible, students should not have annual parental/guardian’s income more than Rs.2.00 lakh and he/she should have secured minimum 50% marks in previous class. Scholarship ranging from Rs. 2,300/- to Rs. 15,000/- is awarded to every selected student.
(iii) Merit-cum-Mean based Scholarship Scheme - The scholarship is awarded for pursuing professional and technical courses at under-graduate and post-graduate levels, in institutions recognized by the appropriate authority. Under the scheme, 30% Scholarships are earmarked for girl students. To be eligible, students should not have annual parental/guardian’s income more than Rs.2.50 lakh and he/she should have secured minimum 50% marks in previous class.Eligible students admitted in any of the 85 reputed premier institutes for professional and technical courses listed under the Scheme are reimburse ed full course fee. Students studying in other institutions are reimbursed a course fee of Rs. 20,000/- per annum and in addition a maintenance allowance of Rs. 5,000/- for day scholar and Rs. 10,000/- for hosteller per annum is also admissible.
iv) Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship- Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MEAF), an autonomous organization under the Ministry, provides scholarship under the scheme titled “Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship” for meritorious girls belonging to the six centrally notified minorities studying in class 9th to 12th at the rate of Rs.5000/- per year for class 9thand 10thand Rs.6000/- per year for class 11th and 12th subject to conditions that they secure a minimum of 50% marks in previous class, their parents’ or guardian’s annual income does not exceed Rs.2.00 lakh and the beneficiary does not get scholarship from any other sources.
(c): The State/UT-wise financial allocations are not made under any of the aforesaid schemes. During the last 3 years, Rs. 7017.51 crores have been allocated under the above said scholarship schemes.Since 2014-15 to till date 5.20crore scholarships have been provided to students from amongst the six centrally notified Minorities namely Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi, Muslim and Christian. Out of these, girls constitute more than 50% of the beneficiaries.
*****