Question : Higher Education Loan to OBC Students

(a) whether the Government is providing higher education loan to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) students at zero interest rate;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the number of students belonging to OBCs who applied for loan with the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) to pursue education during each of the last three years, State and sector-wise;

(c) the number of students getting loan to pursue education during the above period, State and sector-wise;

(d) the number of the students who applied and got loan to study abroad during the said period, State and sector-wise;

(e) whether the Government is aware that the OBC students are facing lots of difficulties in getting such education loan; and

(f) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to redress the grievances of OBC students?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

(a): The National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) a corporation under the aegis of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been entrusted with the job of providing financial assistance at concessional rate of interest to the members of Backward Classes having annual family income less than Rs. 3.00 lakh for income generating activities to generate self-employment opportunities through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs). The rate of interest is 4% p.a. and for girl students rate of interest is 3.5% p.a. for loans for higher education studies.

(b) to (d): Details of number of students State-wise whom loan have been disbursed to study in India and abroad during the last three years are at Annexure-I.

(e) & (f): No such specific information has been received so far.
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