2 months ago
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The Centre has discontinued the implementation of respective assistance schemes for number students beyond 2021-22, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tells Rajya Sabha connected Monday (March 30, 3036).
The Minister was responding to a question by Member of Parliament (CPI-M) from Kerala, John Brittas, who had sought details of the assistance schemes presently disposable for the number students astatine each stages of acquisition and the fig of beneficiaries, State-wise.
Mr. Brittas has besides asked astir the full assistance magnitude allocated and really fixed each twelvemonth implicit the past 5 years, State-wise on with the details of the assistance schemes for minorities which were stopped oregon merged successful the past 5 years.
Responding to the question, Mr. Rijwiju successful a written reply connected March 30th said that portion pre-matric, post-matric and merit-cum-means scholarships had been implemented crossed the country, they were not approved for continuation aft 2021-22. Payments made successful 2022-23 pertained lone to pending liabilities, helium added.
The authorities pointed retired that number students proceed to beryllium covered nether broader schemes specified arsenic the Central Sector Scholarship for assemblage and assemblage students nether the PM-USP Yojana and the Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. According to information submitted to the House, the fig of beneficiaries nether the number assistance schemes declined importantly aft 2021-22 crossed astir States.
The reply besides noted that the Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship has been merged with different schemes, and that pre-matric scholarships person been constricted to Classes IX and X pursuing the implementation of the Right to Education Act.
Budget figures for 5 years, arsenic asked by the MP, bespeak a diminution successful some allocation and expenditure successful caller years, with existent spending dropping sharply aft 2021-22. Mr. Brittas, connected Thursday (April 2) tweeted the reply fixed by the Ministry and criticized for mediocre utilisation of funds. “Parliament allocated thousands of crores for number payment each year. The Ministry simply didn’t walk it. 2022-23: ₹5020 crore allocated and lone ₹837 crore spent. In 2023-24: 3097 crore allocated and lone 1032 crore spent. In 2024-25: 3183 crore allocated and lone 1396 crore spent. Several Scholarship Schemes for Minorities were discontinued oregon subsumed aft 2021-22. Lakhs of students pushed retired of support. Not deficiency of funds. Lack of intent. When acquisition enactment shrinks, inequality grows,” helium said.
